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Is it possible to replace a features sketch with a different/new one?

Question asked by Iain Saunders on Nov 16, 2015
Latest reply on Nov 27, 2015 by Alin Vargatu

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I have an extruded surface which is referenced to a sketch (by contour selection) and I need to unslect this sketch and choose another, as I am not able to modify it due to it being referenced elsewhere in the model.

Am I able to choose another sketch for the extrude feature to use as deleting the surface would fail many more features within the tree. Do I really have to unlink this surface from all it previous features first in order to do this as opposed to selecting another sketch and then redefining the resulting/subsequent failed features?

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Glenn Schroeder Nov 16, 2015 9:03 AM
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I don't believe you can edit a feature to have it reference a completely different sketch. Assuming the other sketch is above (or can be moved above) the one currently being used you should be able to edit it, use the "Convert Entities" sketch feature on the other sketch, then edit the feature to use this new contour.
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Chris Lindloff Nov 16, 2015 9:27 AM
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Could you go into the original sketch and create a second set of entities, and pick that profile under "selected contours" of the extrude feature. That way the original contour could still be used for the other features.
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Wayne Eyster Nov 16, 2015 9:38 AM
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My Work-Around suggestion
1. Open the sketch, select all the lines, arcs etc. that you don't want as part of your new shape, and convert them to "For Construction" in the options box. The later features that reference the construction lines will still work.
2. Update the sketch drawing the shape that you actually want to extrude. Exiting the sketch may give an error, that is OK.
3. If the extrude failed when you exited the sketch, edit the feature and select the lines or contours that you want SW to use as your extrude.
Sometimes I don't even bother converting to Construction lines, I just accept the exit sketch error and edit the feature picking the contour I want.

Happy Modeling!
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Iain Saunders Nov 17, 2015 12:42 PM
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Thanks for the advice, I am not sure it can be done in this case, as you all have kindly advised. This sketch was pretty much the first one created in the model tree making it difficult to change to an updated sketch late on in the model. It is also a curve creating a surface which in turn is used for intersecting as well as extrusion and I have not been able to use the convert entities tool in conjunction with subsequent features still operating. I am also a bit confused as how to create a second set of entities and pick those profiles, unless this sketch was a 'master' sketch from which other sketches are made to be used alongside.
I am not sure why there is the necessity to encapsulate the sketch within the feature as it uses it rather than just leaving it where it is and use the bread crumbs util to work out the links/connections. You would also have a far clearer way/methodology in which a modeller models a whole part if the sketches were not swallowed up by its feature.
Anyway thanks again.
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- Glenn Schroeder @ Iain Saunders on Nov 17, 2015 1:00 PM
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  Although by default a sketch is absorbed into the feature, that can be changed by right-clicking on the Part name and choosing Tree Display > Show Flat Tree View.
  And even if you don't have this selected you can still use a single sketch for multiple features. Just expand the feature where the sketch was used to show the sketch and select it. Then you'll probably need to use the "Selected Contour" option near the bottom of the feature's FeatureManager. If you use it for multiple features the icon will change to reflect that (see below).
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  - Iain Saunders @ Glenn Schroeder on Nov 26, 2015 5:50 AM
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    Thanks for the excellent tip on the 'Flat tree' option, can't believe I never knew about that!
    I have tried as you instructed Glenn but still struggling. Below is a part file showing 2 surfaces created from one sketch using the contours tool. I then created another sketch above these features (sk15) to replace the first surface with but when I clear the contour within Extrude 2 it wont allow me to select sketch 15.
    Do you know a way to re pick the curve?
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    - Glenn Schroeder @ Iain Saunders on Nov 27, 2015 11:36 AM
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      I'm at home now and don't have SW here to double-check, but I don't believe you can edit a feature and select from a different sketch. If I'm right you have two options that I can think of:
      
      1. Edit the sketch being used by the feature. You should be able to use Convert Entities to convert the lines from sketch15 (assuming they're on the same, or at least parallel, planes). Then you should be able to edit the feature and choose the new contour.
      
      2. Delete the existing feature and create a new one, using sketch 15.
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Peter Bergendahl Nov 24, 2015 3:00 PM
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I would like this too and I am trying to remember how this worked in Creo...

I just made this up and it is 2 sketches with one surface. Funny, that the surface doesn't point to sketch 1....

When I go to edit that surface, I assumed I could delete the "selected contours". Yes that is possible.
But, I cannot select the other sketch entities. Isn't that what's it is for?
I guess you can only select contours of the same sketch.....so yeah, put in extra entities in your sketch and choose them that way?
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Deepak Gupta Nov 25, 2015 1:09 AM
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Have you looked into SOLIDWORKS - Replace Sketch Entities ?

Example for Replace Sketch Entity
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- Peter Bergendahl @ Deepak Gupta on Nov 25, 2015 1:49 PM
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  There is no replace sketch entities in a surface extrude command. Maybe I don't understand your suggestion.
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  - Deepak Gupta @ Peter Bergendahl on Nov 26, 2015 1:32 AM
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    You would see that command in sketch edit mode when you right click on a selected entities.
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Alin Vargatu Nov 27, 2015 11:41 AM
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Iain Saunders wrote:

I have an extruded surface which is referenced to a sketch (by contour selection) and I need to unslect this sketch and choose another, as I am not able to modify it due to it being referenced elsewhere in the model.
Am I able to choose another sketch for the extrude feature to use as deleting the surface would fail many more features within the tree. Do I really have to unlink this surface from all it previous features first in order to do this as opposed to selecting another sketch and then redefining the resulting/subsequent failed features?

This sounds like a great idea for the Top 10 this year. It will be revolutionary enough that will most likely receive a zillion of votes!!!
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Is it possible to replace a features sketch with a different/new one?

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