> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://windows.help.formit.autodesk.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://windows.help.formit.autodesk.com/formit-primer/part-i/3d-sketching.md).

# 1.3 - 3D Sketch and Drag Face

*We are ready to start drawing the Farnsworth house! 3D modeling in FormIt at its core consists of drawing lines to create faces and then dragging those faces to create volumes.*

‌ *If you did not complete the last section, download and open the* ***1.3 - 3D Sketch and Drag Face.axm*** *file from the* ***FormIt Primer Part 1 Datasets**.*

## **Draw Faces with Lines**

1 – To facilitate the modeling process, you can use the **Floating Navigation Toolbar** to switch between different views modes. For this exercise, we recommend using the **Perspective (VP)** and **3D View (V3).**

![](/files/-MlG7uYNkJso9KLEs4hq)

2 – Newly created geometry will automatically join or “stick to” any existing ungrouped geometry it touches. To avoid this, you will typically want to organize your geometry with groups. To create a group from the floor plan, select the rectangle by double-clicking it, then right-click to access the **Context Menu** and select **Group (G).**

![](/files/-MlG7uYSOpQ_bGGqUhUg)

3 – When tracing the plan we don’t want the lines to snap to the grid, so click on **Settings** in the **Main Menu** and unchecking **Snap to Grid (SG).**

![](/files/-MlG7uYUxfmAiiavASE3)

4 – To start drawing, click the **Create Sketch** (Pencil) icon in the **Standard Toolbar** and choose the **Line tool (L)**.

![](/files/-MlG7uYV0QXLSSm3OJcm)

5 - Let's start by creating a rectangle on the imported image. To create the first line:

1. While in the **Line tool**, click near **the upper left corner** of the upper terrace in the imported sketch.
2. Move your mouse along the red axis that appears.
3. Click the **Tab** key to input the dimension: **77'-4 1\8".**

![](/files/-MlG7uYWzUieviBHYIZE)

***Note:** Anytime a temporary dimension appears while sketching, you can either press* ***Tab** or just start typing a number* *to open the* ***Dimension Dialog**.*

6 – To create the second line, move your mouse down along the green axis and enter **28’-8**” for the upper terrace’s short edge.

7 - To define the rectangle’s third edge and finish:

1. Move your mouse along the red axis and hold down the **Shift** key. The red axis line will thicken to indicate that the line is locked to this axis.
2. While the **Shift key** is pressed - move your mouse to the first point you drew. Click to commit the endpoint.
3. The third point will automatically be set, parallel to the red - axis defined by (A) - and the green axis - defined by (B).
4. Finally, to finish enclosing the rectangle, release the **Shift** key and click back on the first point you drew. Press **Esc** twice to exit the sketch tool.

***Note:*** *The red and green axes keep you parallel and perpendicular to the grid. When you draw a line off the world axes, a purple axis line will allow you to stay 90 degrees relative to your off-axis line.*

![](/files/bkJho5LdFQkiErJAxmNY)

## **Drag the Face to Create Volume**

1 - Single-click inside the outline you just drew to select the face. You are now automatically in the **Drag Face** tool.

2 - Single-click again to start the dragging. Move your mouse upwards (along the positive Z-axis) to extrude a volume in that direction. Start typing **12'-2"**, and a dimension box will appear with this value, then hit **Enter**.

![](/files/4ZEjfrb1iHc58fs2cB20)

***Note:*** *A* *single-click* *will select just a single face, whereas a* *double-click* *will select all (ungrouped) adjacent edges and faces.*

## **3D Sketching with Arc, Spline, and Circle**

*The following exercise is not critical to finishing the house. However, it will allow you to experiment with some of the other 3D Sketching tools available. Click* ***here*** *to learn more about 3D sketching with World Axes.*

1 - Select the **Arc by three arc points (A)** tool. Click to define the start, and then the endpoint. The third click defines the arc's radius.

2 - Select the **Spline (S)** tool. Click to define any number of points to draw a spline.

3 - Select the **Circle (C)** tool. Hover and click to define the circle's center point. Click and drag or enter a dimension to define the radius.

![](/files/-MlG7uYe-LkA510_8vK-)