# Cannot separate sketches

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [September 17, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042 "2020-09-17T18:54:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![isogulaleb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/isogulaleb/32/7434_2.png) [@isogulaleb](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/isogulaleb)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/1 "2020-09-17T18:54:00Z")

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I am totally beginner so sorry for the question in advance, surely I miss a basic concept here.

I made the mistake to create sketches on the same plane and now I try to separate them afterwards.

I saw a forum discussion about this where they suggested to project them to a separate construction plane and then place them into a folder.

However, when I translate the separated sketch in level with the original sketch-monster, it jumps out of the folder and joins again with the sketch-batch. What do I miss here?

It is very awkward not to be able to select multiple sketches at once by drawing a rectangle around the sketches and that I cannot group them freely.

Thanks for your thoughts on this,

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**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/2 "2020-09-17T19:25:42Z")

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@isogulaleb  
Please Sketch a small Circle or Rectangle, using the appropriate Tool from Sketch, on a vacant area in your Sketch.

Highlight the Closed Shape just created [Circle or Rectangle] and use Add \> Construction Plane \> choosing the offset option.  
When setting the Offset distance choose 5mm or 1/4".  
The Construction Plane will be created the distance chosen from the Plane with the Sketch.

Use Transform \> Move/Rotate \> Select the parts of the Sketch you wish to separate and Move them, using the appropriate Arrow in the same direction and distance as the Construction Plane.

I realise this will sound rather complicated and so I will provide a Video Clip to assist:

[https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/a/a012cbef76631578f33ae12223d1a8acb665cb31.mp4](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/a/a012cbef76631578f33ae12223d1a8acb665cb31.mp4)

I have used two simplified Sketches and used a Rectangle to create the Construction Plane.  
Planes MUST be separated in this manner.  
Separation can be a little as 0.001mm or as far as you wish.  
In Items to the left hide one of the Sketches to observe the result.

If you need more help just shout.

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**Author:** ![isogulaleb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/isogulaleb/32/7434_2.png) [@isogulaleb](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/isogulaleb)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/3 "2020-09-17T19:38:21Z")

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Thanks. And I suppose there is no way to tell which sketch is ‘attached’ to which plane, right? I should create 20 different sketches (see attached pic), this means 20 planes… I think this is not the tool to work this out 😕 S3D was excellent to work out the body but I feel I go back to good old CorelDraw to draw these…

Anyway, thanks for clearing this! Cheers!

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/0/0000b7c2dc642161e2540f3a9eb04b1b086969c3.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/4 "2020-09-17T20:14:00Z")

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@isogulaleb  
I am also a CD User back to v4.

It will require a mindset change to work with S3D and new workflows may be required, it comes into it’s own with Bodies [3D Models]

Looks like you already have a ‘filing system’ running in Items.

As you say each Design is kept on a different Plane in a Named Folder, a great start.  
This can be further expanded by using **Files.app** [iPad has this built in] and Designs are shuttled using Export and Import.

Much will depend on how you use your Sketches.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![isogulaleb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/isogulaleb/32/7434_2.png) [@isogulaleb](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/isogulaleb)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/5 "2020-09-18T06:20:45Z")

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Ah, now I can start again from scratch… my two weeks trial has just finished and I cannot export anything… 😫

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 8:05am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/cannot-separate-sketches/9042/6 "2020-09-18T08:05:38Z")

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You are most welcome.

The ideal situation would be to create each of your Designs and place each one separately in a **.shapr File**.  
These Designs would contain the Sketch and Body or Bodies generated from that Sketch, and then placed into a structured Filing System within **Files.app**.  
Only the Bodies are needed to create a combination Design., Export - Import works faultlessly and is efficient.

Take care, stay safe.