Page 100 - Mastering SolidWorks

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identifying Sketch entitieS 69

The Tangent Arc tool creates an arc tangent to an existing sketch entity. Depending on how
you move the cursor away from the end of the existing sketch entity, the arc can be tangent,
reverse tangent, or perpendicular, as shown in Figure 3.6.

Figure 3.6
Using the tangent perpendicular
arc feature

tangent
original line

reverse tangent

Another way to create a tangent arc (called auto-transitioning) is to start drawing a line
from the end of another sketch entity, and while holding down the left mouse button, press the
A key; or return the cursor to the starting point and drag it out again. This second method can
be difficult to master, but it saves time compared to any of the techniques for switching
sketch tools.
The 3 Point Arc tool creates an arc by first establishing endpoints and then establishing the
included arc, as shown in Figure 3.7. Again, this tool also works using the Click+click or click-
and-drag methods.

Figure 3.7
creating a
three-point arc

click drag
click - drag

The Sketch Fillet tool creates a sketch fillet in two ways. Either you can select the endpoint
where the sketch entities intersect, or you can select the lines themselves, selecting the portion
that you want to keep. Figure 3.8 illustrates both techniques.
The Sketch Chamfer tool is on the same flyout as the Sketch Fillet by default. Sketch Chamfer
does not have a list selection box the way that fillet does, and it does not use a preview like
the fillet.