- FAQ Sketch Relations
- Sketch Relations Overview
In SOLIDWORKS, relations between sketch entities and model geometry, in either 2D or 3D sketches, are an important means of building in design intent.
- Geometric Relations
Click Add Relations 
(Dimensions/Relations toolbar) or to create geometric relations (such as tangent or perpendicular) between sketch entities, or between sketch entities and planes, axes, edges, or vertices.
- Using Automatic Relations
You can choose whether geometric relations are automatically created as you create sketch entities.
- Add Relations/Properties PropertyManager
You can create geometric relations between sketch entities, or between sketch entities and planes, axes, edges, or vertices.
- Display/Delete Relations PropertyManager
- Selecting Midpoints with Dynamic Highlighting
You can dynamically highlight and select midpoints on sketch entities and model edges to add relations. You can also dynamically highlight and select midpoints of sketch entities while dimensioning in sketches.
- Sketch Relations Icons
- Sketch Relations Callouts
- Horizontal and Vertical Sketch Relations
When you edit lines that are nearly horizontal or vertical, commands on the Sketch Relations context toolbar are highlighted to make it easier for you to align the lines. The software evaluates your actions and selectively highlights either the Make Horizontal or Make Vertical command buttons.
- Equal Curve Length Parametric Relations
You can apply equal curve length relations between any two entities such as a line, spline, arc, or circle, depending on the type of entity.
- Equidistant Relations
When you use the Segment tool in lines, arcs, circles, splines, parabolas, ellipses, partial ellipses, or conics, an equidistant relation is applied to the sketch points.
- Relations with Splines
- External vs. Defined in Context
- Continuity Relations for Tangency and Equal Curvature
You can add continuity relations for tangency and equal curvature to certain sketch entities as soon as you finish sketching them on existing geometry.
- Applying Torsion Continuity Relations
You can apply torsion continuity relations between splines and any other sketch entity in 2D sketches. The sketch entities must share an end point. These relations create a smooth continuity at the end point and apply equal curvature and an equal rate of curvature to the sketch entities.