Linear Movement Handles

The Linear Movement handle allows you to move the Graphical Selection constrained in the direction of the linear handle axis.

Dragging a linear handle with the left mouse button moves the Model Editor Handle and Graphical Selection in the direction of the linear handle.

To initiate a linear drag, click the left mouse button over one of the linear movement handles. Moving the mouse drags the Graphical Selection constrained in the selected direction, in steps defined by the movement increment. Clicking the left mouse button again positions the Graphical Selection.

If the movement increment is small relative to the magnification of the 3D view, it can be difficult to move the mouse freehand to a precise displacement from the Model Editor Handle’s original position. Fine control over positioning can be achieved by dragging with a linear handle so that it is close to the required position then, pressing the plus (+) or minus (-) key on the numeric keypad. This moves the Graphical Selection by one movement increment in the direction of the linear handle if + is pressed, or in the opposite direction if - is pressed.

Using the arrow keys in this way (or the numeric keypad 2 and 8 keys when Num Lock is ‘off’) moves the Graphical Selection by 0.1 of the current movement increment for each press of the key.

When moving a selection in a constrained direction, the Model Editor Handle changes to a cut-down version of the full handle to show the direction of movement. The current World position of the Model Editor Handle is displayed on the status bar, and an offset from the original position of the handle is displayed on the 3D View.

As the mouse moves over a linear handle, the pointer symbol changes to the linear drag pointer.

Right-clicking on a Linear Handle displays a pop-up menu giving you options on how to re-position the selected element.

Clicking Enter Value displays the Move Handle window.

The field corresponding to the selected axis is activated for input. Enter a value into the field. Clicking Preview refreshes the 3D View to show the proposed change. Click OK to accept the change or Cancel to return the 3D View back to it’s original position.

Clicking Align with Feature allows you to position the Graphical Selection in relation to another object in the 3D View, but forces the Graphical Selection to move only along the selected axis. You must move the cursor to the target feature. The target feature is then highlighted and the cursor changes shape to indicate that the Graphical Selection will be aligned with the target position if the mouse button is clicked.