Rotation Handle

The rotation handles allow you to rotate the Graphical Selection around the relevant axis using the current angular increment to control the angular step size.

Dragging a Rotation handle with the left mouse button rotates the handle and the Graphical Selection about the axis of rotation. To perform a rotation, press the left mouse button over the relevant rotation handle. With the left button still depressed, drag the mouse to perform the rotation.

Feedback

The angular movement from the original orientation is shown as the Locator Handle is rotated. The angular displacement is also shown in the status bar.

As the mouse moves over a rotation handle, the pointer symbol changes to the rotation drag symbol, and half of the Rotation Handle arc changes to show two arrows. This feedback indicates which of the axes will be aligned with a feature when feature alignment is used.

Rotation Handle

A Rotation Handle has the following movement operations on its shortcut menu:

Enter Value°

This allows the Graphical Selection to be rotated about one of the Locator Handle axes.

Orient to Point

Rotating an elbow to align with a Nozzle using a rotation handle and feature alignment

The sequence of operations is as follows:

1. Make a Graphical Selection

2. (Optional) Position the Locator Handle at the required datum position

3. Select Orient to Point… from the Rotation handle

4. Move the mouse to the target point. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that a point has been located, and the axis is directed towards the point.

5. Click the primary mouse button to rotate the Graphical Selection to the target orientation

Angle with Direction

Rotating a pump to align with a flange using a rotation handle and feature alignment

The sequence of operations is as follows:

6. Make a Graphical Selection

   Optional: Position the Locator Handle at the required datum position

7. Select Align with Direction… from the Rotation Handle .

8. Move the mouse to the target line (edge) or P-point direction. The mouse pointer symbol changes to indicate that the axis will be directed parallel to the edge. If the Graphical Selection is shown 180 degrees out of alignment, press the key to get the alternate alignment. On a P-point, this can be achieved by choosing one of the arrows on the P-point feature.

9. Click the left mouse button to rotate the Graphical Selection to the target orientation

Align With

Rotates the selection until the chosen axis points in the given direction. The Graphical Selection is rotated about one of the Locator handle axes, such that the chosen axis points as close to the direction specified as possible.

Rotate Handle

The Rotate Handle submenu provides the same rotation commands as the main Rotation Handle menu, but these commands rotate the Locator Handle only. They do not rotate the Graphical Selection.

The Locator Handle may be rotated independently of the Graphical Selection in order to change the frame of reference for the next operation on the Graphical Selection.

Rotate Handle>To World

This command aligns the Locator Handle with the World co-ordinate system, without rotating the Graphical Selection. The Locator Handle Y axis points North, and the Z axis points Up.