What is the use of the “Sketch Relations” tool in SolidWorks?

The “Sketch Relations” tool in SolidWorks is vital for creating and managing geometric relationships between sketch entities. By applying these relations, users can control how different elements of a sketch interact with each other, which enhances the design process. For instance, if you need two lines to always remain parallel or perpendicular, applying a sketch relation will ensure that no matter how you alter one line, the relation will keep the desired orientation between them.

This dynamic control is essential because it not only maintains the intended design intent as changes occur, but it also simplifies revisions and updates to the sketch. When one entity is modified, any related entities adjust automatically according to the defined relations, which streamlines the design workflow significantly and enhances the precision of the sketch.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict the purpose of the “Sketch Relations” tool. Applying textures or defining material properties are managed through different features in SolidWorks, while converting 2D sketches into 3D models involves additional steps such as using features like extrude or revolve, rather than simply applying sketch relations.