Sometimes it becomes desireable to redefine a section after several other features have been created, referencing that initial feature. Rather than rerouting all of these children , the parent sketcher entity may be replaced using the newer sketcher entity. This replacement must be specified when redefining the sketch in order for the children to be properly rerouted.

1. Consider, for example the block shown in Figure 1. The thin protrusion uses the top edge of the block as a reference. (The cross-section for the thin protrusion was created using Geom Tools, Use Edge.) It is now desired to use a spline for the top edge. Rather than deleting the thin protrusion, redefining the sketch of the base feature, then recreating the thin protrusion , the referenced edge can be replaced with the newly sketched spline.
   

   Figure 1

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2. To replace the sketched entity, when in SKETCHER mode, first sketch the desired geometry (the spline). Then select Geom Tools, Replace. Select the newly sketched entity, then select the entity it is replacing (See Figure 2). Pro/ENGINEER might indicate that it cannot replace an aligned or dimensioned entity, and will ask if the dimensions are to be deleted. Answer YES to continue. Regenerate the sketch successfully, select Done in SKETCHER, and OK in the dialogue box.
   

   Figure 2

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3. Any children of the replaced entity will now reference the newly sketched entity, without a need for rerouting. Notice in Figure 3 that the thin protrusion now follows the spline. The thin protrusion was still created using the Use Edge functionality.
   

   Figure 3

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