Sketch snaps in Part Design?

[jdmech]

Hi folks -
Help for an Autodesk Inventor user:
Ok - Trying to get myself familiar with the workflow of FreeCAD here but i'm a bit stuck.
Trying to create a part from sketch and I immediately noticed that I can't seem to find a way
to get a line to snap to the center or midpoint of another line. Can somebody shed some light on this
small but oh so important detail?

Ex: Sketch a 'T' shape.

Thanks! - JD

[jmaustpc]

Hi JD
It looks like you duplicated your post, so I deleted the first one....if I missed something please post it again.

In answer to your question
1) if you are trying to make a 2d drawing ...try Draft Workbench, where you can snap to centre of a line
2) in sketcher you would select each end point of the line at the top of the "T" then the end point of the top of the vertical part ot the T, then use a symmetry constraint

I am in a hurry, back in a few hours if you need more help.

Jim

[jmaustpc]

I am assuming you are using a FreeCAD 0.14.3700 or higher.

[bejant]

You also need to add a Perpendicular Constraint if that's what you want; a quick video is here.

[NormandC]

in sketcher you would select each end point of the line at the top of the "T" then the end point of the top of the vertical part ot the T, then use a symmetry constraint

Alternatively, you only need to select the line at the top of the "T", then the end point of the vertical part ot the T.

[jdmech]

Ahh got it. Thanks guys very much. I figured that it was purely user error.
I'll give those suggestions a try. Yes, I'm using the latest greatest version, just forgot to
attach the details last night at 11:30.
The learning curve for Inventor was hell-acious so after 5 solid years my brain is now well polished
In those workflows.

Cheers - JD

[Alfinete]

I read the posts here several times before understanding exactly what was meant. So I have endeavored to set out some instructions that might help novice users (like me). Here goes:

Midpoint Snap in Sketcher

BOX MIDPOINT:

1. Create a new point object in the approximate middle of the entity (box, plane, etc)
2. Select one corner vertex of the box or plane, and then the other corner vertex.
3. Then click the point in the middle. (Always select the point to be centered last).
4. Click the MIRROR constraint (> < symbol)
5. The point has been constrained to the exact center of the box or plane.

LINE MIDPOINT:

1. Create a new point object close to the middle region of the line in question.
2. Select each endpoint of the line and lastly select the new point object.
3. Constrain with the MIRROR constrain (> < symbol).
4. The line's mid point has been constrained.

[jmaustpc]

4. Click the MIRROR constraint (> < symbol)

3. Constrain with the MIRROR constrain (> < symbol).

Yes, but that is the "symmetry constraint" not "mirrored".

As a convenience, you can select a line rather than its end points and symmetry constraint will be applied to its end points.

[jmaustpc]

As a convenience, you can select a line rather than its end points and symmetry constraint will be applied to its end points.

I just noticed Norm said the same thing earlier.

[Alfinete]

Thank you for the correction regarding the Symmetry Constraint. It is a shame I cannot edit my post to correct my mistake.