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Sketcher Tools

Pie Menu Interface​

The sketcher features a context-aware pie menu that provides quick access to all drawing and constraint tools. This radial menu appears when you right-click in the sketch workspace and adapts based on your current context and selection.

The pie menu items dynamically show available options based on what you have selected. For example, when clicking on empty space, you'll see drawing tools. When clicking on selected geometry, you'll see applicable constraints.

Sketcher Pie Menu

Keyboard Shortcuts​

The sketcher provides keyboard shortcuts for efficient workflow:

Tool Shortcuts​

  • Space: Select tool
  • G+P: Path tool (lines and bezier curves)
  • G+A: Arc tool
  • G+C: Ellipse tool
  • G+R: Rectangle tool
  • G+O: Rounded Rectangle tool
  • G+F: Fill Area tool
  • G+T: Text Box tool
  • G+Y: Circular Array tool
  • G+W: Array Along Curve tool
  • G+G: Grid tool (toggle grid visibility)
  • G+N: Toggle construction mode on selection

Action Shortcuts​

  • C+H: Add Chamfer corner
  • C+F: Add Fillet corner
  • C+S: Straighten selected bezier curves to lines
  • M+V: Mirror selection vertically
  • M+H: Mirror selection horizontally
  • Ctrl+D: Duplicate selection in-place

Constraint Shortcuts​

  • H: Apply Horizontal constraint
  • V: Apply Vertical constraint
  • N: Apply Perpendicular constraint
  • T: Apply Tangent constraint
  • E: Apply Equal constraint
  • O or C: Apply Alignment constraint (Coincident)
  • S: Apply Symmetry constraint
  • K+D: Apply Distance constraint
  • K+R: Apply Radius constraint
  • K+O: Apply Diameter constraint
  • K+A: Apply Angle constraint
  • K+X: Apply Aspect Ratio constraint

General Shortcuts​

  • Ctrl+Z: Undo
  • Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z: Redo
  • Ctrl+D: Duplicate selected elements
  • Delete: Delete selected elements
  • Arrow keys: Nudge selected entities (hold Shift for a larger step)
  • Escape: Cancel current operation or deselect
  • F: Fit view to content

Mirror, Duplicate, and Nudge​

Several transformation tools work on the current selection:

  • Mirror Vertically / Horizontally (M+V / M+H): mirror the selection in-place across its bounding-box center. Constraints that span the selection boundary are dropped; internal constraints are preserved.
  • Duplicate (Ctrl+D): copy the selection in-place. The copies get fresh IDs and remapped internal constraints; only the copies remain selected afterwards. Undo removes them.
  • Nudge: with entities selected, the arrow keys move the selection. Hold Shift for a larger nudge step.

These are available from the toolbar and the Sketch menu.

Construction Mode​

Construction mode allows you to mark entities as "construction geometry" - helper elements used to guide your design but not part of the final output. Construction entities are displayed differently (typically as dashed lines) and are not included when the sketch is used for laser cutting or engraving.

To toggle construction mode:

  • Select one or more entities
  • Press N or G+N, or use the Construction option in the pie menu

Construction entities are useful for:

  • Creating reference lines and circles
  • Defining temporary geometry for alignment
  • Building complex shapes from a framework of guides

Grid, Snapping, and Visibility Controls​

Grid Tool​

The grid tool provides a visual reference for alignment and sizing:

  • Toggle the grid on/off using the grid tool button or G+G
  • The grid adapts to your zoom level for consistent spacing

Magnetic Snap​

While creating or moving geometry, Rayforge automatically pulls your cursor toward nearby elements — endpoints, line midpoints, intersections, and other reference points. This makes it easy to connect shapes precisely without manually placing every point. The snap indicator highlights when your cursor is close to a snap target.

Auto-Constrain During Creation​

Many drawing tools automatically apply constraints as you create geometry. For example, when drawing a line near the horizontal or vertical, the sketcher will offer to lock it in place. The path tool also creates horizontal and vertical constraints automatically when snap guides show alignment during drawing. This helps keep your sketch tidy from the start, rather than fixing things up afterward.

Show/Hide Controls​

The sketcher toolbar includes toggle buttons to control visibility:

  • Show/hide construction geometry: Toggle visibility of construction entities
  • Show/hide constraints: Toggle visibility of constraint markers

These controls help reduce visual clutter when working on complex sketches.

Axis-Constrained Movement​

When dragging points or geometry, hold Shift to constrain movement to the nearest axis (horizontal or vertical). This is useful for maintaining alignment while making adjustments.

Chamfer and Fillet​

The sketcher provides tools to modify corners of your geometry:

  • Chamfer: Replaces a sharp corner with a beveled edge. Select a junction point (where two lines meet) and apply the chamfer action.
  • Fillet: Replaces a sharp corner with a rounded edge. Select a junction point (where two lines meet) and apply the fillet action.

To use chamfer or fillet:

  1. Select a junction point where two lines meet
  2. Press C+H for chamfer or C+F for fillet
  3. Use the pie menu or keyboard shortcuts to apply the modification