Problem

This article goes over how to create Virtual Sharps in a SOLIDWORKS Drawing or Sketch. Virtual Sharps are useful for measuring the true length of the part when one edge has a fillet or other geometry that is not a simple corner with a vertex. Virtual Sharps are essentially virtual intersections of two lines that are generally created in a Drawing or 2D Sketch. They can be created in a 3D Sketch, but due to the 3D nature of a 3D sketch, creating one could prove to be more difficult. Virtual Sharps cannot be created in a part or assembly file from solid edges, only from sketches.

Solution 1: Reference Point

 Follow the steps below to create a Virtual Sharp using a Point:

1. Open a Drawing or 2D Sketch
2. Hold down the SHIFT or CTRL key while selecting two edges

3. With the edges selected, add a Point from the Sketch tab.

   

4. The Virtual Sharp is created

   

Solution 2: Smart Dimension

Follow the steps below to create a Virtual Sharp using the Smart Dimension tool:

1. Open a Drawing or 2D Sketch
2. Open the Smart Dimension tool from the Sketch tab

3. Right-click on the first edge and select "Find Intersection"

   

4. Left-click on the second edge to create the Virtual Sharp

Virtual Sharps can be dimensioned against as shown in the example below.

The appearance of Virtual Sharps can be changed from Options > Document Properties > Virtual Sharps.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.