DECHAIN

Purpose:

To enable a user to convert a chain back into its original basic geometric entities, for example, back into individual lines and arcs, This will also apply where the chain to be 'dechained' is a copy of another chain.

Instructions:

1. In the Tools menu, click Dechain.

2. Cursor-select any region of the chain to be decomposed back into its constituent elements. The system responds by high-lighting the selected chain. If the correct chain is high-lighted then click the Operation Complete icon.

Options:

There are no options within this function.

Result:

The selected chain is broken back into the original geometric entities, without changing their current position or orientation within the display. Thus if the chain had been manipulated in any manner after it had been first created, for example translated and rotated into a new position, then the constituent geometric components remain in their current position and can be subsequently manipulated or deleted, if required, as individual elements.