When locating a solid in 3D space, it is placed by its insertion point. The insertion point of each solid is defined during the solid creation. When solids are joined together, the default insertion point becomes the point of the object to which the other object is added (the root solid). When inserting multiple objects, the insertion point of the first selected object is used. You can redefine the insertion point location at any time.
Each basic element has its own axes. These axes are displayed when the object is inserted, or whenever its position changes. The origin of a solid’s axes is at its insertion point. These axes can be used for translation and rotation for the attached solids, as well as for other solids.
The global X, Y, and Z axes of 3D space are always displayed at the lower left corner of the 3D area. These axes indicate only the axis directions; the origin may be elsewhere. When first inserting a solid, the solid axes are identical to the global axes, until the solid position is changed.
![]() | Translate, Rotate, Copy Solids - STC, Ctrl + Q |
First select the objects to be transformed or copied. Then define their new location. You can select entire objects as well as their separate components such as holes. If components are selected, some parts may not regenerate after transformation. For example, if you move a hole outside its object, the hole cannot be generated. In this case you will receive a warning message.
Methods of insertion, translation, copying, etc. can be selected from the 3D Location toolbar. This temporary toolbar appears whenever solids are inserted or transformed. There are also case-sensitive hotkeys for most options.
Some functions require a predefined vector or rotation axis. You can define these by the following methods:
Whenever transforming or inserting any objects, their axes are displayed at the location of the object’s insertion point. Although you can use any transformation methods clicking icons in the panel (see in the next sections), the most comfortable method is to use the axes directly:
Example of solid’s transformation axes.
The color of the axes could be different for color palettes. By default, for a dark background the X axis is red, Y axis white and Z axis green. For a light background, X axis is red, Y axis blue and Z axis green.
Moves solids according to a specified axis and distance.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | x | Moves along the solid’s own X axis |
![]() | y | Moves along the solid’s own Y axis |
![]() | z | Moves along the solid’s own Z axis |
![]() | t | Defines a vector along which to move |
![]() | T | Moves along the predefined vector |
First define a location, which is projected to a dragging vector. The solid insertion point is translated along the vector to the projected location. Move the cursor to translate objects dynamically. Press Enter or right-click to finish translation. You can drag objects simply moving the cursor or the objects are moved only if you detect a new location. See 3D Locations Settings.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | N/A | Moves dynamically along the solid’s own X axis |
![]() | N/A | Moves dynamically along the solid’s own Y axis |
![]() | N/A | Moves dynamically along the solid’s own Z axis |
![]() | N/A | Defines a vector along which to move dynamically |
![]() | N/A | Moves dynamically along the predefined vector |
Rotates solids around a defined rotation axis, by a specified angle.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | u | Rotates along the solid’s own X axis |
![]() | v | Rotates along the solid’s own Y axis |
![]() | w | Rotates along the solid’s own Z axis |
![]() | r | Defines an axis around which to rotate |
![]() | R | Rotates around the predefined axis |
First, define a reference point. The reference point is rotated to a plane, which is defined by a rotation axis and a defined point. You can also use the cursor to dynamically rotate around the axis. Press Enter or right-click to finish rotating. You can drag objects simply moving the cursor or the objects are moved only if you detect a new location. See 3D Locations Settings.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | N/A | Rotates dynamically along the solid’s own X axis |
![]() | N/A | Rotates dynamically along the solid’s own Y axis |
![]() | N/A | Rotates dynamically along the solid’s own Z axis |
![]() | N/A | Defines an axis around which to dynamically rotate |
![]() | N/A | Rotates dynamically around the predefined axis |
These functions can be used to reorient a solid by changing the direction of its axes.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid X axis direction along defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid X axis direction along previously defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid Y axis direction along defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid Y axis direction along previously defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid Z axis direction along defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets solid Z axis direction along previously defined vector |
![]() | N/A | Sets all solid axis directions along all axes of another entire solid |
![]() | N/A | Sets all solid axis directions along all axes of another part of solid |
These functions enable you to position solids relative to a selected plane. The solid axes can be directed along or against the plane normal. See also Selecting Planes.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | N/A | Sets X axis against plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets X axis along plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets Y axis against plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets Y axis along plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets Z axis against plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets Z axis along plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets normal of any selected solid’s plane along another plane normal |
![]() | N/A | Sets normal of any selected solid’s plane against another plane normal |
You can redefine a solid insertion point at any time. If you are transforming multiple solids, the insertion point of the first selected solid is used, but you can choose to use another insertion point. There are also options for displaying solid axes. See also Solid Object Coordinate System.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | n | Defines new insertion point |
![]() | N | Defines solid whose insertion point will be used |
Transformed solids are inserted into their final position by pressing Enter or right-clicking. You can also choose to copy instead of insert. In this case, you must insert the transformed objects first. After insertion, the objects are copied and you can continue inserting. You cannot insert a copy into the position of the original object.
When an object is copied, its attributes are copied as well. Therefore, we recommend assigning attributes before copying. You can also create identical (linked) copies that share future edits (see Identical Copies of Solids.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | Enter | Insert - inserts object into their final position |
![]() | N/A | Undo - goes one step back, undoes previous transformation |
![]() | + | Copy |
![]() | - | Cancel Copy - turns off copying |
![]() | N/A | Copy, creates identical copies |
When copying solids, you can choose to create identical (linked) copies. This means that if any member of the copy group is changed, the change is automatically implemented on all group members. When one object in the group is selected, all identical copies are highlighted. Identical copies are also created when inserting a part into an assembly.
When copying members of a group of identical copies to another location, newly created objects are members of identical copies only if identical copying is turned on. In case of plain copying, these objects do not belong to a group of identical copies.
![]() | Break Identical Copy Link - RSI |
Enables you to select objects to be removed from the group of identical copies or from group of solids inserted from a part (assembly-part connection). This breaks the link between the objects.
![]() | Break Identical Copy Group - RIC |
Breaks connection between all solids and a corresponding identical copy group.
Using snap points and significant locations can be used when inserting and transforming solids, as well as in other functions such as measuring and checking. You can use either toolbar icons or keyboard keys. The cursor automatically detects solid edges and curves. If the cursor approaches a snap point, a symbol appears next to the cursor. Clicking when you see this symbol selects the point. The following letters indicate snap points:
To snap to an endpoint E, midpoint M, or arc/curve center of gravity point C, press the corresponding key when the edge is highlighted. To use the toolbar icon, click the icon first and then click the edge or object. If you click on an edge when no snap point is indicated, the location is defined at the point on the edge nearest to the cursor.
If you select any specific location mode clicking icon in select toolbar, then the only selected mode is performed. For instance, if you select location of midpoint of edge, whenever you approach any edge, its midpoint is highlighted. The point can be detected clicking left mouse button wherever over corresponding edge. Predefined location mode persists until any selection is performed, or until any other mode is selected or until you click the same icon again.
There is a difference between the center of gravity of a curve and the center of an arc. The arc center is the point from which all arc’s points are at same distance. Only for a full circle are the center and center of gravity identical.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | m | Midpoint of edge |
![]() | e | Edge endpoint |
![]() | 2 | Circle or arc center |
![]() | c | Center of gravity of edge |
![]() | N/A | Snap to nearest point on selected edge |
![]() | k | X, Y, Z coordinates |
![]() | d | Delta X, delta Y, delta Z from a specified point |
![]() | g | Between two points, at a defined distance from the first point |
![]() | b | Halfway between two defined points |
![]() | p | Solid (element) insertion point |
![]() | q | Entire solid insertion point |
![]() | N/A | Intersection of a rotation surface axis and a plane |
![]() | N/A | Intersection of a line and a plane |
The cursor automatically detects planes. If plane selection is required and the cursor moves over a plane, all plane boundaries are highlighted. The plane is selected by clicking when the plane is highlighted. It is possible to have plane boundaries common to more than one plane and select plane of wireframed object. In such cases, approach the plane boundary from inside the plane, proceeding toward the boundary.
![]() | 3D Location Settings - 3DL |
The following location options are available:
![]() | Mirror - MIRR3 |
The mirror plane must be defined first, by one of the following methods:
Then select the objects to be mirrored. The mirrored copies contain all attributes (if any) of the original solids. If attributes are copied, you will receive a warning message and you can verify that names are attributes are correct for the copies.
The copies are not identical (linked) to their originals. Therefore, some attribute names should be different. For example, the material can be the same, but the name “Right Side” should be changed to “Left Side” for the mirrored copy.
![]() | Scale - RSSO |
Rescales solids. Select the objects and define the scaling center and value.
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