A question that we sometimes get on training courses is what is the difference between drawing "a hole" directly in the sketch for a positive block compared to drawing a new H Cylinder, i.e. adding a new negative extrusion as a separate feature?

A clear and crucial difference is mainly that you can control the depth of the hole created with a "stand-alone" H Cylinder (it has its own handle/value that controls the depth), while the circle in the sketch is always linked to the depth of the extrusion, in this case the same as the outer contour.

In addition to controlling the depth of the hole, it is also much easier to control the position of the "stand-alone" hole using TriBall or locked dimensions, instead of editing these positions/dimensions in the sketch of the block.

If you wanted to add a keyway to the hole, what’s the best way to do it? Should you draw a rectangle in the same sketch as the circle, or should it be a separate feature?
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Here, too, the key factors may be controlling the depth of the groove and deciding whether to adjust its shape using a handle or its position using the TriBall. However, both methods work if you understand the difference between how they are used, which is briefly explained in the video below.

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If you break the question down and compare "simple" shapes with "more complex" shapes (the difference could be, for example, the number of lines in the sketch), you can also look at it this way:
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For "simple shapes," it's quick and easy to pull up a "ready-made primitive" that you can then quickly modify using the handles. All shapes found in the catalogs can be manipulated or modified. So it’s a “quick start” since the shape obviously doesn’t always have to be “completely finished” right after you’ve created it. Perfect for quick sketches and concepts!

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For a "more complex" shape with many contour lines, it might sometimes be faster to draw it "from scratch" using a sketch, or to simply modify the "simple" shape you started with (block/cylinder/concept model) at a later stage.
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Keep in mind that even many "simple" shapes can come together to form a "more complex" geometry. So even in that case, the answer might actually be that "simple is better in the long run." If everyone at the firm who uses IRONCAD roughly equally skilled and understands the principles of how it works, then it might be better to prefer working with “more compact and sketch-based” shapes. But for those who don’t quite master the tools in the sketch, parts built from many “simple” shapes can definitely be modified more quickly. In fact, this applies even to those who are more experienced in sketch-based work.
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By combining settings on each individual feature—when multiple features are selected at the same time—you can control whether a feature change shape or move to a different position. By default, when an IntelliShape is selected, the differently colored round Sizebox handles always appear, which you can use to change the shape. When more than one IntelliShape is selected and you switch from Sizebox to Shape handles on one or more IntelliShapes, they will be moved instead, as briefly described in the video below.

The video has no sound since this article is available in multiple languages.

Regarding a "round hole", there is also a special hole tool, ICM Holes, in the appendix IronCAD Mechanical which is good to know. Many people use this extension to create threaded and/or countersunk holes. Read more about the extension here: IronCAD Mechanical Holes