Polygon

Polygon draws a regular shape: every side is the same length. Use it for a hexagonal pencil holder, a triangular sign, an octagonal coaster, or a hexagon-shaped pocket that holds a nut.

How to use it#

1. In a sketch, click Polygon, or press G.
2. Click the centre. Try the origin.
3. Click where one corner goes. This sets the size and which way the shape is turned.
4. Type how many sides (3 to 24) and press Enter. It starts at 6 (a hexagon), then remembers the last number you typed.

Circumscribed polygon (under the ▾ next to Polygon): click the centre, then the middle of a side instead of a corner. The size is then across the flats, as nuts, bolt heads and spanners are measured: an M6 nut is 10 mm across the flats. A dashed circle touches every side; dimension it for the size across the flats (SOLIDWORKS: Circumscribed circle · Fusion: Circumscribed Polygon).

What you get#

• Sides that stay equal (Equal constraints).
• Corners that sit on a dashed construction circle. The polygon fits inside the circle, touching it at every corner.

Making it exact#

• Size across the corners: dimension the dashed circle. That gives its diameter.
• Size across the flats: for an even number of sides, such as a hexagon, click two opposite sides with Dimension.
• Not tilted: select one side and click Horizontal (H).
• In the right place: start it on the origin, or dimension its centre point from an edge.

Step by step#

Here is the whole thing on a hexagonal pencil holder, from the SchoolCAD video tutorial.

it.](polygon-step-4.webp)

If it does not work#

• Choose 3 to 24 sides. Type a whole number from 3 to 24.