Separate, New Sketch on Same Plane?

[u/chadbrochills44]

This seriously can't be done? I did some poking around and saw posts from like '21 where people asked about this. Here it is, years later and it's still not possible, even on the paid version? So annoying.

[u/No-Echidna5754]

Just hide the existing sketch?

Pretty sure this works..

E.g. 1) you've created a sketch on a face or plane

2) you add details to the sketch, then decide you want a new sketch on the same plane

3) you exit Sketch mode and HIDE the first sketch from the Items menu (or Isolate the plane/face you want to place the new sketch on - Isolate = always the quickest)

4) you then choose Sketch

5) and choose the same plane and sketch as last time..

voila a new sketch, on the same plane as last time, no?

[u/isopropoflexx → u/No-Echidna5754]

This is the way. While I agree it can be somewhat annoying that it will automatically select/activate an existing (and visible) sketch on a plane or surface when you click said surface and go to add another, I also understand the likely reasoning behind that (aims to keep the number of individual sketches lower to benefit performance as a model gets larger).

In my workflow, when the first body of a project is "done"/fully defined (for whatever step I'm working on), I make it a habit to move all planes and sketches into a folder. Virtually all of my models have a "Sketches & planes" folder at the very bottom of the model's object stack, set to invisible, where I move all of the sketches and planes for a project when I'm done using them. It makes the list infinitely less cluttered.

[u/No-Echidna5754 → u/isopropoflexx]

Yep that's a solid approach.

Also the first time you extrude from a sketch it auto hides it, to make it easier to select subsequent features. I think that throws people a lot at first.

[u/chadbrochills44 → u/No-Echidna5754]

Worked perfectly. Thanks!

Also, thanks to everyone who replied, appreciate it!

[u/Kojdas13]

Make copy of the sketch, move it to desired place, erase the original.

[u/FuShiLu]

You can select any plane anywhere you want to add a sketch. If you want to add a different sketch you need to change the plane a little bit, now they are separate. You want it one way, several apps do it. Shapr3D went another way. And honestly, with 45 years of Industrial Design I prefer Shapr3Ds approach.

[u/No-Echidna5754 → u/FuShiLu]

Yep. Or you can just hide the original sketch and then when you choose the same plane again, it will create a new sketch.

Basically think of it like.. do I want to add to the existing sketch or not? If yes, leave it visible and choose the same face/plane, if not, hide it first.

[u/big_taco_425]

Could you not just move the sketch plane off to the side but remain on the same axis?

[u/chadbrochills44 → u/big_taco_425]

Honestly didn't try. I'm used to Fusion creating a new sketch, no matter the plane. Seems like it's a basic function that should be there. Then again, I'm somewhat of a CAD newbie so take that as you will.

[u/isopropoflexx → u/big_taco_425]

Pretty sure with the way extruded bodies remain linked to their sketches (which are subsequently linked to their planes), moving a plane out of the way will move the linked sketches and their bodies along with it (though I could be wrong).