Equal Relation
The Equal relation makes two or more lines the same length, or two or more circles and arcs the same radius, and keeps them matched as the sketch changes.
When to Use It
- Make the legs of a bracket the same length
- Make a row of holes the same size
- Change one size and have the others follow
Step by Step
- Open a sketch and draw the pieces (see Lines, Circles and Rectangles). Sketching is part of modeling, which comes with the Pro plans.
- Click Select on the Sketch tab (or press S).
- Click the first piece, then click each piece that should match it. Pick all lines, or all circles and arcs. A line and a circle together do not offer Equal.
- Keep the pointer still for about half a second. A bar titled Add a relation to the N selected opens beside it, with one button for each relation that fits. Click Equal. Instead of waiting for the bar, you can right-click the selection and choose Equal under Make them, or click Equal under Add a relation in the Properties panel.
- A small green square marks the relation on the sketch, and a message says Equal added. It stays true as you move and resize; Edit, Constraints lists it. Ctrl+Z takes it back.
Options
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Lines | Two or more lines. The lines after the first take the first line's length. |
| Circles and arcs | Two or more circles or arcs. The ones after the first take the first one's radius (an arc keeps its sweep). |
| Which one gives | The held piece stays and the other changes size (see The Anchor Rule on the Relations page). |
| Listed as | Equal. |
Tips
- After Equal, type a size for one piece (in Properties, or with Smart Dimension) and the others follow.
- A Straight Slot and a Polygon add their own equal ties when you draw them, so you do not need this for those.
- Equal sets size only. It does not move the pieces. Use Concentric Relation to share a center.
- A line you draw with two points (or one press and drag) is a single line. A chain drawn with more clicks, a rectangle and a polygon are each one piece, so line relations are not offered for them as a whole. Right-click and choose Break apart to get single lines (see Select).
If Something Goes Wrong
- "Equal cannot hold together with the relations already there. Nothing changed." Something already placed (another relation, a typed size or a Fix) fights this one. Delete the one in the way from the list under Edit (see Edit Menu) and try again.
- "Equal already holds through the relations you have, so nothing was added." The sketch already forces this, so nothing more is needed.
- The button is not in the bar. The bar only lists relations that fit what you picked. Check what is selected in the Selected list of the Properties panel. If the panel says None fits this selection. Pick another point, piece or part edge with it., change the picks.
- "Equal applied once: the relation solver could not load, so it will not be kept." The piece moved once but nothing was stored. Check your connection and add it again.