Point

Places a point in the sketch. A point is a marker only: it is construction geometry, so it never becomes part of a cut or an extrusion. Use it as a target to snap to, relate to and dimension from.

When to Use It

• A hole location or a datum you want to dimension before the shape exists
• A place that several pieces must meet or pass through
• A mark for layout that you do not want to draw a line for

Step by Step

1. Open a sketch on a plane or a face (see Planes and Faces). Sketching is part of modeling, which comes with the Pro plans.
2. On the Sketch tab, click Line. In the flyout, click Point. The prompt says Click to place a point.
3. Click where the point goes. A small dot appears. The tool stays armed, so each click places another point.
4. To stop drawing shapes, click Select on the Sketch tab.

Using a Point

• Snap to it: other tools snap to a point like any other sketch point (the End points and sketch points snap under Snap), so a line can start or end exactly on it. A line that does is joined to it with a Coincident relation. See Relations.
• Relate it: select the point with another piece to offer the relations that fit, such as Coincident, Horizontal points or Vertical points.
• Dimension it: with Smart Dimension, click the point and another piece to give the distance between them. This is how you place a point exactly. A point has no size of its own, so there is nothing to type for it. See Dimensions and Units.

Tips and What to Expect

• The Construction Geometry box on the flyout has no effect on a point, because a point is always construction.
• Points show in the lists of pieces as Point 1, Point 2 and so on.
• Esc cancels nothing here, because a point is placed with one click. To remove one, select it and press Delete, or press Undo.
• A point is never cut, extruded or revolved. If your cut or extrusion leaves out a point, that is as intended.

Related Tools

• Center Rectangle, which adds a center point for you
• Dimensions and Units
• Relations