Copy with Rotate
- Last UpdatedJan 13, 2026
- 5 minute read
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Selecting Create > Copy > Rotate from the main menu displays the Copy and Rotate window.
The Copy and Rotate window allows the user to copy a selected element and rotate that copy about an axis as well as providing an offset for the copy.
Offset Menu Options
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Using the Offset menus, the user can specify the type of element to measure from and the type of element to measure to. The choices in each case are:
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Element |
Defined as the origin of an element. |
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Design Point |
A p-point or construction pin. |
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Pline |
A pline of a structural section. |
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Edge |
A panel edge linking two vertices. |
Cursor Menu Options
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Using the Cursor menus, the user can specify the type of element to measure from and the type of element to measure to using existing elements. The choices in each case are:
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Element |
Prompts the user to pick an element to which the position can be related to the required position. Using the Cursor Defaults setting, the user can specify a point along a linear element (typically a Section) to define the position. |
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Design Point |
Prompts the user to pick any design point which is located at the required position. |
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Pline |
Prompts the user to pick a pline which passes through the required position. Using the Cursor Defaults setting, the user can specify a point along the pline to define the position (the pline is considered to extend from the POSS to the POSE of the SCTN to which it refers). |
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Edge |
Prompts the user to pick a panel edge which passes through the required position. Using the Cursor Defaults setting, the user can specify a point along the edge to define the position. |
Cursor Defaults
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Selecting Cursor > Defaults displays the Cursor Defaults window, which allows the user to set the way pointer picks are interpreted when a position is picked in a graphical view.
Pick Options specify how a pick along a linear item (section, pline, edge) is interpreted as a position. The choices are:
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Snap |
The position is at whichever end of the item is nearest to the cursor. (The text-box next to this option is not applicable in the current context.) |
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Proportional |
Entering a proportion (between 0 and 1) in the adjacent text-box, the derived position is at this proportion of the item’s length from the end nearest to the cursor. |
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Distance |
Entering a distance in the adjacent text-box, the derived position is at this distance from the end nearest to the cursor towards the cursor position (so that a negative distance gives a position beyond the end). |
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Exact |
The position is exactly at the picked point. |
Note: When the user picks a point on a section, the derived position is always on the line between the Start Position and End Position, regardless of the cursor position in the cross-sectional profile.
Pick Qualifier options specify how many picks are required to identify the position, and how a single position is constructed from multiple picks. The choices are:
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Single Pick |
The position is determined by the Pick Options setting for a single pick. |
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Mid-point of two picks |
Each of two picks is interpreted as determined by the Pick Options setting and then the mid-point of the two is constructed to give the final position. |
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Centroid of multi-picks |
Each of two or more picks is interpreted as determined by the Pick Options setting and then the centroid of the points is constructed to give the final position (Cancel the prompt to finish picking). |
Note: The new cursor defaults remain in force for all subsequent picking operations until the user resets them.
Intersection Menu Options
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Using the Intersection menu options, the user can define a position by picking two directional items with the cursor in the graphical view.
The derived position is at the intersection of the two items or, if they do not actually intersect, at a point on the first picked item which corresponds to the projection of the second item onto the first. The choices are:
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Element |
Prompts the user to pick an element which has its principal axis pointing through or towards the required position. |
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Design Point |
Prompts the user to pick a design point which is aligned through or towards the required position. |
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Pline |
Prompts the user to pick a pline which is aligned through or towards the required position. |
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Edge |
Prompts the user to pick a panel edge which is aligned through or towards the required position. |
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Object |
Populated with the current element as the Object. The drop-down list has options of selecting an element from a list or picking an element in the 3D View. |
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to |
Populated with the current element. The drop-down has a Rel. option which places the copy adjacent to the Object. |
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Number of Copies |
Enter the number of copies required. |
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Angle (*) |
Enter a value for the angle of the rotation axis. |
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Offset |
Enter values for the U, V and W coordinates using the Lock boxes if required. |
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Rotation Axis |
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Direction |
Set the direction for the X, Y and Z axes using the appropriate drop-down. Enter values in the corresponding fields. |
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wrt |
Default set as World. |
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Apply |
Displays a Confirm message box.
Selecting YES creates a copy of the element in the database and shows the copied element in the 3D View with the designated rotation and offset. |
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Dismiss |
Closes the window. |
