A simple sketcher problem [ solved ]

Post here for help on using FreeCAD's graphical user interface (GUI).
Forum rules
and Helpful information
IMPORTANT: Please click here and read this first, before asking for help

Also, be nice to others! Read the FreeCAD code of conduct!
Post Reply
tonyaimer
Posts: 241
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:17 pm

A simple sketcher problem [ solved ]

Post by tonyaimer »

Hi all - first the mandatory information

Code: Select all

OS: Linux Mint 20 (X-Cinnamon/cinnamon)
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.21.0.31850 (Git) AppImage
Build type: Release
Branch: master
Hash: d8d3bb8120ad139cf1eb2acf0be0ae6c297ac7f3
Python 3.10.9, Qt 5.15.6, Coin 4.0.0, Vtk 9.1.0, OCC 7.6.3
Locale: English/South Africa (en_ZA)
Installed mods: 
  * Help 1.0.3
I am doing something very wrong.

I made a simple sketch on the XY plane - a square 50mmx50mm.

I then padded it out in Z to a height of 50mm

I then selected the top face to place a rectangular array of 4 bolt holes.

I know that this is not recommended due to TNP but I figured that these are the last features to be added on the real model
so perhaps it wont matter.

I constrained the first hole and double clicked on that sketch in the model.

The rectangular array tool is greyed out so I am doing something wrong.

The rectangular array tool has the following instructions ( extract ).

Usage

Select sketcher elements in task panel or in 3D view.
There are several ways to invoke the command:
Press the Sketcher RectangularArray Rectangular array button.
Select the Sketch → Sketcher tools → Sketcher RectangularArray Rectangular array option from the menu.

But the tool is greyed out

I am doing this on a 50 cube as a test before working on the real model.

I have included the file for reference
junktest1.FCStd
(10.64 KiB) Downloaded 10 times
What am I doing wrong?
Last edited by tonyaimer on Sat Mar 25, 2023 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Grub
Posts: 303
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:28 pm

Re: A simple sketcher problem

Post by Grub »

tonyaimer wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 10:15 am ...

I constrained the first hole and double clicked on that sketch in the model.

The rectangular array tool is greyed out so I am doing something wrong.

The rectangular array tool has the following instructions ( extract ).

Usage

Select sketcher elements in task panel or in 3D view.
There are several ways to invoke the command:
Press the Sketcher RectangularArray Rectangular array button.
Select the Sketch → Sketcher tools → Sketcher RectangularArray Rectangular array option from the menu.

But the tool is greyed out

Why "double cliked on the sketch ? Just select it (simple click) and the command Rectangular Array should be active
screen3.gif
screen3.gif (181.01 KiB) Viewed 474 times
Bance
Veteran
Posts: 4186
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:00 pm
Location: London

Re: A simple sketcher problem

Post by Bance »

It is not advised to make the array in sketcher, but rather in the solid using multitransform.
chrisb
Veteran
Posts: 53930
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:14 am

Re: A simple sketcher problem

Post by chrisb »

If you really want to use the Sketcher's array (see Bance's comment), you have to select the geometric elements before invoking the command.
A Sketcher Lecture with in-depth information is available in English, auf Deutsch, en français, en español.
tonyaimer
Posts: 241
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:17 pm

Re: A simple sketcher problem [ solved ]

Post by tonyaimer »

Thanks for the replies

I took the advice of working in part design with padded holes and mirror/ polar pattern

The file is just a bit too big to attach to this post

It is a crankcase for a model engine ( firefly )

Now I need to make in aluminium for real



Tony
Post Reply