Home
Parametric Modeling
Create 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids with construction history and variables.
Sketching
Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
Slots
Sketch and edit slots.
Sketch a Slot
Sketch a slot by defining the start and end points, mid and end points, arc center and end points, or three arc points.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire Mold? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire Mold with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids with construction history and variables.
- Construction History
  View and edit the construction history of your model.
- 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.
  - Slots
    Sketch and edit slots.
    - Sketch a Slot
      Sketch a slot by defining the start and end points, mid and end points, arc center and end points, or three arc points.
    - Edit a Slot
      Reposition, resize, or apply a sketch constraint to a slot.
  - 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.
  - Image Plane
    Create an image plane that you can use as a background reference image, so you can trace lines and curves to start your design.
  - 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.
  - Break External Sketch References
    Break sketch constraints or relationships to other features.
- Geometry
  Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
Molding Setup
Use Quick Mode or Advanced Mode, depending on your needs, to define the parts, materials, runner system, and tooling for the molding simulation.
Molding Analysis
Run an injection molding analysis to minimize defects and prevent manufacturing problems.
Mold Material Reference
Download the Mold Material Reference Manual to learn how to create new materials in Inspire Mold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have answers!

View All Altair Inspire Help

Sketch a Slot

Sketch a slot by defining the start and end points, mid and end points, arc center and end points, or three arc points.

On the Sketch ribbon, select one of the Slots tools.
Select a face or plane as the sketch plane.

Sketch a slot:


To sketch this	Do this
Slot by 2 Points	Click to set the end points of the slot, and then click to set the width of the slot.
Midpoint Slot	Click to set the midpoint and end of the slot, and then click to set the width of the slot.
Arc Slot by Center and Ends	Click to set the center of the circle that defines the slot, click to set the end points of the slot, and then click to set the width of the slot.
Arc Slot by 3 Points	Click to set the end points of the slot, click to set the radius at the middle of the slot, and then click to set the width of the slot.

Tip: Select the Create Dimension checkbox to automatically create dimension constraints with the slot:

The centerline of the slot is created as construction geometry.

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