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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Sketching
Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
Splines
Sketch and edit a spline (S).

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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
- Construction History
  View and edit the construction history of your model.
- Variables
  Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
- Global References
  Global references are the global origin, axes, and planes shown in the modeling window. They can be helpful when creating and defining your model.
- Sketching
  Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
  - Introduction to Sketching
    Learn about sketching basics including the sketch plane, legend, constraints, context menu options, and construction geometry.
  - New Sketch
    Start a new sketch (S) and select a sketch plane.
  - Project
    Project selected geometry onto the sketch plane as construction geometry.
  - Intersect
    Extract curves resulting from the intersection of the sketch plane with selected parts or surfaces.
  - Point/Lines
    Sketch and edit a point, line, polyline (L), or line-arc.
  - Rectangles
    Sketch and edit a rectangle (R).
  - Polygons
    Sketch and edit a parallelogram or a regular polygon.
  - Circles
    Sketch and edit a circle (C).
  - Ellipses
    Sketch and edit an ellipse or an elliptical arc.
  - Arcs
    Sketch and edit an arc (A).
  - Splines
    Sketch and edit a spline (S).
  - Dimension
    Use the Dimension tool (D) to define and/or constrain the dimensions of a sketch.
  - Transform
    Translate or rotate sketch entities.
  - Trim/Break
    Trim (B) or split a sketch curve.
  - Extend
    Extend or shorten an entity of a sketch curve.
  - Fillet
    Round the corners of 2D sketch curves to create fillets (F) with the same radius or different radii.
  - Offset/Mirror
    Offset (O) or mirror (M) a sketch curve.
  - Pattern
    Create a linear or circular pattern of sketch entities.
  - Export DXF/DWG
    Export the current sketch as a .dxf or .dwg file.
- Geometry
  Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
- PolyMesh
  Create polymesh objects from other types of geometry and results.
- PolyNURBS
  Create free-form solid geometry that is smooth and continuous.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Splines

Sketch and edit a spline (S).

Sketch a Spline

Sketch two types of splines: (1) a smooth curve that passes through the fit points or (2) a smooth curve that passes near, but not through, the control points.

On the Sketch ribbon, select one of the Spline tools.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
Select a face or plane as the sketch plane.

To sketch a spline:


To sketch this	Do this
Spline Through Points	Click to place each fit point of the spline.
Spline Using Control Points	Click to place each control point of the spline.

Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Edit a Spline

Reposition, resize, or apply a sketch constraint.

Double-click the spline to enter edit mode.

Edit the spline:


To	Do this
Define the degree	In the guide bar, select from: Degree 2 Degree 3 Degree 4 Degree 5
Close the spline on creation	In the guide bar, turn on Close spline.
Add a point	Select the spline, then hover over the curve between two points until you see a reference point with a + icon. Click on the reference point to add an additional point.
Reposition a point	Drag the point, or Select the point, then enter coordinates to specify the position.
Reposition a line	Select the line and drag it, or Reposition the end points.
Resize a line	Drag an end point, or Select the line, then enter a Length in the microdialog.
Select a chain of segments	Select a sketch segment, then double-click it to select the entire chain of segments.
Cut, copy, or paste the sketch curve	Right-click a sketch curve, then select Cut, Copy, or Paste on the context menu.
Apply a sketch constraint	Right-click a sketch curve, then select a sketch constraint on the context menu.
Convert a sketch curve into construction geometry	Right-click a sketch curve, then select Construction. Construction geometry is used as a reference to line up or define other geometry.
Hide dimensions	Deselect Show dimensions in the Preferences.

Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Video: Spline Tools

Spline Through Points

Spline Using Control Points