Sketch 3D
Bend-Tech 7x Wiki :: Sketch 3D
Sketch 3D allows parts to be created on a three dimensional plane. Parts can be designed by clicking directly on the part display and drawing out each length and/or by giving the straight length and angle values in the design panel.
Selection
1.) Go to the File menu, select New, then select Tube. In the Create New menu, click on the Sketch 2D option.
2.) Click the New Part icon and select the Sketch 3D option in theCreate New menu.
...OR
3.) Select the Sketch 3D option from the Task Menu that appears when the software starts up, when all designs are closed, or through the view menu.
Design
Once Sketch 3D is selected, a new part design window will open. If a default die and material have not been set, a die and material must be chosen before designing the part. If necessary, choose a material, die, and/or machine in the Die and Material tab. Once a die and material are selected, the Sketch 3D part design section will appear.
Next, the part can be designed by drawing out the part lengths in the part display and/or typing in length and angle values.
To design a part, start by clicking directly on the part display where the first length of the part will begin. Once this point is clicked, a light blue line will be connected to this point (as shown to the right). The length of the current part section will be generated at the end of this line.
The leg length and XY coordinates of the start and end of the current length will be generated above the part design area.
The next point that is clicked will be the end point of the first straight length of tube. After this second point is chosen, the display will show the part's first straight length in the chosen material. The light blue line will now be attached to the end point of this length. Continue this process of choosing the start and end points until the part is complete.
As new lengths and bends are drawn, the lengths, rotations, and angles will be generated in the columns on the left of the screen. Each bend and the last straight length will have its own row.
These can be edited at any point in the design process. Adjust the lengths and angles by entering new values in the text fields.
While designing the part, the axis that the grid is upon can be adjusted using the axis selection buttons in the upper left corner of the part display. These icons will rotate with the part model to show how the grid will be shown when using that specific option. Click on one of these options 
(XY, YZ, and XZ respectively) to adjust the grid's plane.
To delete the last straight length and bend, click the Delete Last button. 
Once the part is complete, click the Finish button. 
Note: This is temporary. Edits can still be executed after a design session is stopped. This will only stop further lengths/bends from being drawn.
To completely restart the part design, click the Start Over button. 
Caution: This will completely delete the part design and cannot be undone.
Each bend can be also be assigned a die by either selecting the bend number in the bend list and selecting a die or custom CLR from the Die drop down menu. Each bend can also be assigned a dimension type by selecting either Apex or Tangent from the Dim Type drop down menu. Apex will measure to the outside intersection (apex) of the bends two legs. Tangent will measure to the edge of the bends, the tangents, so no bent material will be included in the measurements. See images below.
The size of each cell in the the grid overlay on the part display can be adjusted by changing the number in the Grid Spacing field. 
The grid overlay can also be toggled on and off using the Grid button. 
While the grid is on/activated, the start and end points of the part will be snapped to this grid during the design process.
