# Sketch Generated from Cross-section
**URL:** https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160
**Category:** Modeling Questions
**Created:** [August 16, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160 "2025-08-16T01:04:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Endicott](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Endicott)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/1 "2025-08-16T01:04:37Z")
[https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/requests/new](https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/requests/new)
I have a 3D lofted model. I need to generate several 2d sketches to be able to make bulkheads. What is the easiest way to generate sketches from cross-sections? If I try to trace it, it becomes a problem getting the lines in the cross-section lined up exactly with the sketch I’m trying to make.
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### Author:  [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/2 "2025-08-16T03:08:17Z")
If you modeled the cross section you can utilize the Drawing Feature?
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### Author:  [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 5:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/3 "2025-08-16T05:56:22Z")
Try selecting lines and projecting to a plane?
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### Author:  [@Endicott](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Endicott)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/4 "2025-08-16T17:50:26Z")
Thank you for your input.
I have a cross-section on the lofted surface which looks nice but I can’t seem to create a sketch that picks up it dimensions well enough. This is an aircraft fuselage and has many compound curves. There are some control points but the curves are complex enough that I can’t sketch it accurate enough. If I get the sketch close, when I zoom in it is off quite a bit. Since these bulkheads are used not only to form the outer skin but also have equipment mounted to them,.. they need to be precise.
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### Author:  [@Endicott](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Endicott)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/5 "2025-08-16T17:58:31Z")
Thank you for replying.
I tried projecting but since it’s a loft, the lines that created the loft are perpendicular to the cross-section and don’t project onto the construction plane. The cross-section isn’t defined by a line like most drawings. This is where the difficulty lies.
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### Author:  [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/6 "2025-08-16T18:04:11Z")
I asked for a feature to make a sketch out of a cross section at a plane a long time ago. Handy for making things like tool holders, holsters etc.
This parasolid/ history conversion has paralyzed Shapr’s new and needed tools progress.
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### Author:  [@Endicott](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Endicott)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/7 "2025-08-16T18:07:26Z")
It’s great for making complex 3D shapes but if you can’t break them down to make the object buildable, it’s not much help.
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### Author:  [@lilyclark](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/lilyclark)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-generated-from-cross-section/39160/8 "2025-08-31T15:05:35Z")
I recently ran into a similar challenge while designing a custom keychain holder for my 3D printer [filament](https://kingroon.com/collections/3d-printer-filament?sca_ref=9443968.VmbECjyAZgWd) spools. Instead of trying to directly convert the cross-section into a sketch, I duplicated the body, created a construction plane at the desired section, and used the cut face as a reference for tracing. It’s not fully automatic, but it gives you a precise sketch to work with. Hopefully, Shapr3D will add a direct “generate sketch from cross-section” feature in the future!