Desktop platform icon This functionality is currently available only on browser.

Feature toolbar with drawing tools highlighted

Onshape provides tools for creating sheet geometry: drawing entities like lines and centerlines, created on the sheet outside of a view and meant to represent some part of the 3D model.

When creating views of parts and surfaces, centerlines are automatically hidden on circular geometry such as holes, cylinders, and spheres. View these centerlines using the view context menu. See Show/hide centerlines.

Closed2 point centerline2 point centerline tool icon

Create centerlines using two points on your drawing, including the end points on another 2-point linear centerline.

  1. Click 2 point centerline tool icon.
  2. Select two points to establish a centerline. Note that you are able to use snap points, but it is not required.

    example of selecting two points to establish a centerline

    3. When aligning dimensions and annotations, you can hover over edges, midpoints, or other lines to activate red inference points. Use the inference points to snap the location of the entity when creating or dragging a dimension or annotation. Similarly, you can move the mouse vertically or horizontally over views, lines, dimensions, or annotations to activate pink vertical and horizontal inference lines. Use these inference lines to align the location of the entity vertically or horizontally from the desired referenced annotation.

ClosedEdge-to-edge centerlineEdge-to-edge centerline tool icon

Create centerlines using two edges or two concentric arcs on your drawing.

  1. Click Edge-to-edge centerline tool icon.
  2. Select two edges or two concentric arcs with which to establish a centerline.

    example of a centerline example of a centerline

Adjust the length of the centerlines by clicking and dragging the grip points at the end of the centerline.

example of how to adjust the length of a centerline example of how to adjust the length of a centerline

ClosedRemoving centerlines

  1. With no tool selected, click the centerline (it appears highlighted).

    Example of a highlighted centerline

  2. Press the Delete key.

ClosedModifying centerlines

  1. With no tool selected, click the centerline (it appears highlighted).
  2. Click and drag an end point to resize the line:

    Example resizing the centerline

    Note that centerlines may be dragged below the distance between the reference points.

  3. Click and drag a snap point to move the line:

    Example of moving the centerline

Closed 3 point circle centerline3 point circle centerline tool icon

Create a circular centerline for a bolt circle diameter.

  1. Click 3 point circle centerline tool icon.
  2. Click each of 3 points (centers of the holes, end, mid, or quad points). The illustration shows the centerline in process (the plus signs represent the selected points):

    Cenerline in process with plus sign icons representing the selected points

    The illustration below shows the centerline selected; you can see which holes help define the centerline:

    Example showing the centerline selected

    The centerline can now be dimensioned.

    3. When aligning dimensions and annotations, you can hover over edges, midpoints, or other lines to activate red inference points. Use the inference points to snap the location of the entity when creating or dragging a dimension or annotation.

Closed 2 point circle centerline2 point circle centerline tool icon

Create a circular centerline using two points.

  1. Click 2 point circle centerline tool icon.
  2. Click a point to mark the center of the centerline (this does not have to be an actual circle center, you can snap to any point like an end point or midpoint as well).
  3. Click a point to mark the circumference of the centerline (like the center of a bolt hole).

    The first illustration shows the centerline in process (the orange highlighting represents the selected points):

    Cenerline in process with orange highlighting representing the selected points

    You are now able to dimension the centerline.

When aligning dimensions and annotations, you can hover over edges, midpoints, or other lines to activate red inference points. Use the inference points to snap the location of the entity when creating or dragging a dimension or annotation.

ClosedCentermarkCentermark tool icon

Place a mark in the centers of circles and arcs for visibility when printing and as a reference point for dimensions.

  1. Click Centermark tool icon.
  2. Click the edge of a circle or arc:

    Step 2 to using Centermark tool

To delete a centermark, click to select and press the Delete key. See centermarks for more centermark editing options.

ClosedVirtual sharpVirtual sharp tool icon

Create a virtual sharp associated with two linear edges. Virtual sharps are fully associated with the geometry and update appropriately with changes to the geometry.

  1. Click Virtual sharp tool icon.
  2. Select first linear edge.

  3. Select second linear edge.

    Selecting a second linear edge

Dimensions are to the intersection of the cross only. To change the visual style of the virtual sharp from Centermark to Edge extension, open the Properties flyout:

Drawing properties panel

ClosedLineLine tool icon

Shortcut: L

Create lines in your drawing.

  1. Click Line tool icon.
  2. Click to begin the line.
  3. Drag and click to define subsequent line segments.
  4. Escape to end the line and exit the tool.

Note that horizontal and vertical inferencing lines appear as appropriate:

Example of a horizontal inference line

Each segment in a series of connected lines is a separate entity.

As you draw, snap points appear on existing objects to aid you in line placement. Click once the snap points appears to connect to it automatically.

There is no need to click directly on the point once it is visible. While moving the mouse to place the line, you'll notice thin, dashed lines as the cursor passes near other entities. These are inferencing lines that you are able to align the line to; simply click when you see the line appear to align to that inferencing line.

ClosedSplineSpline tool icon

Create a spline through multiple points.

  1. Click Spline tool icon.
  2. Click to begin the spline.
  3. Click to select additional points for the spline to fit to in the view.
  4. Double-click or press Escape to end the spline.

As you draw, snap points appear on existing objects to aid you in spline placement. Click once the snap points appears to connect to it automatically. As with any spline, you are able to drag the points to reshape the spline.

When aligning dimensions and annotations, you can hover over edges, midpoints, or other lines to activate red inference points. Use the inference points to snap the location of the entity when creating or dragging a dimension or annotation. Similarly, you can move the mouse vertically or horizontally over views, lines, dimensions, or annotations to activate pink vertical and horizontal inference lines. Use these inference lines to align the location of the entity vertically or horizontally from the desired referenced annotation.

ClosedSpline pointSpline point tool icon

Add points along a spline.

  1. Click Spline point tool icon.
  2. Click along the spline to set additional points.
  3. Drag and click to define subsequent line segments.
  4. Press Escape to exit the tool.

Drag spline points to modify the spline.

As you draw, snap points appear on existing objects to aid you in point placement. Click once the snap points appears to connect to it automatically.