Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Trimech-Main-Site-Group-Navigation Solid-Solutions-Group-Navigation Javelin-Group-Navigation Solid-Print-Group-Navigation 3DPRINTUK-Group-Navigation Trimech-Enterprise-Solutions-Group-Navigation Trimech-Enterprise-Solutions-Group-Navigation Trimech-Advanced-Manufacturing-Group-Navigation Trimech-Staffing-Solutions-Group-Navigation
With over 35 years of experience, the TriMech Group offers a comprehensive range of design, engineering, staffing and manufacturing solutions backed by experience and expertise that is unrivalled in the industry. The TriMech Group's solutions are delivered by the divisions and brands shown here, use the links above to visit the group's websites and learn more.
x
Search

How to Move a Sketch in SOLIDWORKS in 4 Simple Steps

Thursday November 14, 2024 at 8:00am

Moving sketches while in edit sketch mode of SOLIDWORKS is not always the easiest of things to do, particularly if your sketch is under-defined.

You could use the move entities command, but this won’t snap the sketch to your desired location...

Instead, there’s another way that involves no additional tools, and only four simple steps.

So, let’s show you how to easily move sketches in SOLIDWORKS!

We’ve highlighted the steps below, but if you would like to see a video of this technique and a few other sketch tools then make sure you watch this tutorial video:

The Four Steps to Moving a Sketch

  1. Select all the sketch entities you wish to move, or click within the shaded region of a closed contour sketch.
  2. Hold the CTRL key then click and drag the selected entities from a vertex, not an edge. This will allow you greater control over where you drop your sketch.
  3. Once you see the preview outline, release the CTRL key. (this will stop you making a copy of the selected profile.
  4. Continue to drag to your desired vertex and release.
Step-by-Step Tutorial with Pictures
  1. We want to move this sketch onto the origin.
  2. Click the shaded area or windows select the geometry you want to move.
  3. Hold down CTRL and start to click-drag a vertex.
  4. Release CTRL once you see the preview.
  5. Drag selected entity to its new location.
  6. Release mouse button, the sketch has been moved and snapped into new location.
Take the Next Steps

Master SOLIDWORKS with expert-led courses that help you boost your skills and confidence. You can attend online or in a classroom near you!

Choose from a huge range of professional SOLIDWORKS and CATIA training courses and save on multiple courses with a Training Passport.

Related Blog Posts

The Best Hardware for SOLIDWORKS in 2025
SOLIDWORKS 2025 is here! So it’s important to check in on your hardware and make sure it will serve you well and most importantly, that it can run SOLIDWORKS 2025 happily.
Major Updates to SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2025
Discover the three most important updates to SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2025.
Windows 10 End of Life Announced!
Dassault Systemes plan to end support for SOLIDWORKS products on Windows 10 at the same time as Microsoft stops providing support for both users and software developers...

 Solid Solutions | Trimech Group

MENU
Top