# Generate sketch from flat object outline

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/generate-sketch-from-flat-object-outline/8469>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [July 27, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/generate-sketch-from-flat-object-outline/8469 "2020-07-27T23:10:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jsg963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jsg963](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jsg963)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/generate-sketch-from-flat-object-outline/8469/1 "2020-07-27T23:10:34Z")

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If I bring a step file into S3D of a flat surfaced rectangular object with cavities and then create a rectangle solid object in S3D and do a subtract to end up with solid bodies in S3D of the cavities. I then want to select the top flat surface outline to generate a sketch to work from. I have to go around the entire outline shape drawing lines from the outline edge to get it to individually fill in a sketch line of the edge. Afterwards I need to then go back and trim every intersecting line I drew to end up with only the outline sketch. Is there a simpler way to achieve this result from an import of a step file? It would seem that it would be easy enough to automate as it seems to be able to be done manually although manually it is a very slow tedious process. Thanks

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/generate-sketch-from-flat-object-outline/8469/2 "2020-07-27T23:51:52Z")

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Use the **Project** tool.

[https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/9/99c46394c061a148f7175939eec12bcd6945758d.MOV](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/9/99c46394c061a148f7175939eec12bcd6945758d.MOV)

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**Author:** ![jsg963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jsg963](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jsg963)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/generate-sketch-from-flat-object-outline/8469/3 "2020-07-28T00:53:07Z")

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Thanks that works perfectly. Great help.