Sketches are two-dimensional profiles that form the geometry of the features defining an ABAQUS/CAE native part. You use the Sketcher to create these sketches; in the Part module you use them directly to define a planar part or a beam, or you extrude, sweep, or revolve them to form a three-dimensional or axisymmetric part. Whenever you need to create the base feature of a new part, add a feature to a part, or modify an existing feature, the Part module automatically enters the Sketcher and you operate on the sketch that forms the two-dimensional profile of the feature. When you have finished sketching, ABAQUS/CAE automatically returns you to the Part module.

If you are adding a feature or modifying an existing feature, you must choose the plane on which to sketch. For a detailed description of how ABAQUS/CAE determines the orientation of the part relative to the sketch plane, see “How ABAQUS/CAE orients your sketch,” Section 19.4.3.