Transforming and Copying 2D Objects

Transformation functions enable you to change an object’s location or scale, and move, copy and rotate objects. All functions allow you to either define transformation parameters first and then apply them, or to perform the transformation dynamically. See Dragging Objects.


Translating, Rotating and Scaling

Translate or Copy 2D Objects– MOV, Ctrl + T

Moves or copies objects by first defining a translation vector. The vector is defined by two points and indicates distance and direction. If objects are to be copied, you can specify the number of copies, and the original object is preserved. Multiple copies are made along a row.



Vector Translate window


Moving and copying


Dynamic Translation - DRG

Moves or copies objects, with cursor movement defining the new object locations. Select the objects, define their insertion point, and select new locations of the insertion point. If you choose not to delete the original objects, copies will be made.

Rotate or Copy 2D Objects - ROT

Rotates objects around a defined point by a specified rotation angle. You can choose to rotate only, or to rotate and copy. If multiple copies are made, each copy is separated by the rotation angle.


Rotating and copying


Dynamic Rotation - DRO

Rotates dynamically using the cursor. Select objects, define the center of rotation, and select a reference point. The cursor movement defines the direction from the rotation center to the reference point. You can choose to rotate only, or to rotate and copy.

Translate and Rotate - DTR

Both moves and rotates objects. Select objects and define the first and second reference points. Then define new locations of both reference points. If you choose not to delete the original objects, copies will be made.

Scale - SCA

Rescales objects. Select the center of scaling and the scale value. You can choose to scale only, or to scale and copy. If multiple copies are made, the scale value is applied to each copy progressively.

Dynamic Scaling - DSC

Scales dynamically using the cursor. Select objects, define the center of scaling, and select a reference point. The cursor movement defines the scale value. If you choose not to delete the original objects, copies will be made.

Array Copy - CTA

Creates an array of copied objects. Define the origin of rows and columns, the direction and distance between columns, and the direction and distance between columns. Then specify the number of copies in rows and columns. This value is the number of new copies; the original object is not included. You can also define the number of copies by using the cursor to select the location of the last objects in rows and columns.


Mirroring Objects

Mirror - MIR

Creates a mirror image of selected objects. The mirror axis can be an existing line, or you can define a temporary line by selecting two points. You can choose whether to delete existing objects. If you use non-isotropic mirroring, the mirrored object will be created on the same side of the mirror axis, and will be scaled perpendicular to the mirror axis. Scaling is only possible for lines.



Mirror window


Offsetting Objects

Offset - OFFS

When offsetting objects, you can define an offset distance or create the offset so that it passes through a specified point. You can offset to individual lines, arcs, and polylines, or you can create a continuous offset curve by selecting a chain of connected objects. To do this, select the first line or arc in the chain close to the beginning of the chain. In other words, do not select the segment close to where the next segment is connected.



Offset window


Stretching Objects

Stretch - SOB

Uses the cursor to define the new shape of selected linear objects. Use a selection window to encompass the corners and endpoints of line segments you want to move. After selecting objects, select a reference point and move the cursor to stretch the objects. To stretch horizontally or vertically, turn on Ortho mode.

Stretch to Direction - DST

Stretches objects along a defined direction. You can stretch objects horizontally, vertically or by a diagonal vector defined by two points. Define the line dividing the preserved and translated parts of the objects to be stretched, the objects, and the reference point. Move the cursor to move the reference point. This type of stretching can only be done on lines; other types of objects are moved without being stretched.