test: sketch

Very useful function, but many do not know about its existence.

SOLIDWORKS AutoTrace

Solidworks help
Sketch Picture includes the following capabilities:

Insert pictures (.bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .wmf, .png, .psd) on a sketch plane.
Use pictures as an underlay for creating 2D sketches.
Convert raster data to vector data using Autotrace.

A sketch picture is inserted with its (0, 0) coordinate at the sketch origin
If you insert a sketch picture of a .tiff file, the resolution is limited to 4096 x 4096. Files that exceed this limit are cut in half until both dimensions meet the limit. For example, if you insert a .tiff file that is 5000 x 3000, the file is reduced to 2500 x 1500.

Autotrace is an add-in that allows you to trace and convert images such as .jpegs and .bitmaps into sketch geometry. This add-in works best with high-contrast images.

Source image should be hi-resolution, with a minimum of 300dpi.
Line art should be pen on paper, with precise contours and high contrast.
Colors should be as uniform as possible within the area you select.

A sketch picture is inserted with its (0, 0) coordinate at the sketch origin:

The second page of the Sketch Picture PropertyManager is only available if Autotrace is enabled as an add-in. Click Tools > Add-Ins and select Autotrace in the dialog box.

Compatibility with Autotrace

You can use still image formats such as .bmp, .gif, or .jpg, but not animated formats such as animated gif or .avi files.
You can apply Autotrace to part or assembly files (*.sldprt and *.sldasm), but not to drawing files (*.slddrw).

There is one interesting feature in Solidworks that I did not find in the Solidworks help or was looking badly :). Use one sketch in different elements. To do this, select the sketch by clicking the left mouse button on the sketch, (first open it in the tree) and click on the desired element: draw, cut, etc. After that, enter the parameters and confirm. As a result, you will get an element that is created with a sketch from another element. The icon for such a sketch, used in several elements, looks like a sketch with the palm opened under it, similar to the common folders in Windows.

You can use sketches of different elements in other elements repeatedly.
For example, we'll make a figurine on the panel, we'll simulate it the way it is done in the production: we make the workpiece and then milling it along the contour.