3D Elements can be aligned to each other using the Align Mode and the Align commands. These are available through the Asset View Menu and/or Asset View Toolbar. For aligning an Asset to a measurement instead of another Asset there is an Align To command.


Using Align Mode to align a 3D element

The steps below show how to align 3D elements:


  1. Select align mode -
  2. Click anywhere on a 3D element to specify the point to be aligned



Press the 'SHIFT' key while the cursor is over a 3D element to see all the available alignment points for that 3D element.



  1. Drag the mouse over a second 3D element to select the point to which the first 3D element is going to be aligned.



Press the 'SHIFT' key while the cursor is over a 3D element to see all the available alignment points for that 3D element.



  1. A popup menu will appear listing the available alignment commands. Simple choose the required command and the two Assets will be aligned. See Align Mode Commands for more information.


Using Align Mode to align two or more 3D elements 

The steps below show how to align two (or more) 3D elements:


  1. Select align mode -
  2. Click anywhere on a 3D element to position the alignment target point.



Press the 'SHIFT' key while the cursor is over a 3D element to see all the available alignment points for that 3D element.



  1. To accept the alignment point press SPACE. This will be the target point to which other points will be aligned.



  1. Move the cursor over a second 3D element to select an alignment point.



Press the 'SHIFT' key while the cursor is over a 3D element to see all the available alignment points for that 3D element.



  1. Press SPACE to accept the chosen alignment source point. This is the point that will be aligned to the alignment target point.



The user can specify any number of alignment source points. Just move the cursor over a third 3D Element and position another alignment source and accept it by pressing SPACE.

  1. Choose an alignment command from the menu or from the toolbar to align all the currently selected alignment points with the current target alignment point. See Align Mode Commands for more information.


Align Mode Commands

The following commands are available in Align Mode:


  •  - Align Up-Down



  •  - Align East-West



  •  - Align North-South



  •  - Align All (performs all three of the operations above at once)
  •  - Align Direction


Two boxes to be aligned  

Select Align Direction command

Select Align Direction command again


Align Mode Tips and Tricks 

There are a few things to consider with respect to alignment points.


  • The first alignment point selected is considered to be the target point. The target point is displayed as a green sphere and it’s direction is shown as a green arrow. It can be positioned anywhere on a 3D element.
  • To second, third, fourth, etc. alignment points are consider to be source points. The user can accept any number of these points but they must be valid alignment points. These selected points are shown as red spheres and their directions are shown as red arrows.
  • In Align mode when picking source points, moving the mouse cursor over a 3D element will select the closest alignment point and show it as a grey sphere.
  • In Align mode when picking both source and target points, pressing the 'SHIFT' key when the the mouse cursor is over a 3D element will display all available alignment points.
  • Clicking on an alignment point belonging to a 3D element which already has one of its alignment points selected is not allowed. A 3D element can only have one alignment point selected at any time.
  • The Align commands are only enabled if two or more alignment points have been accepted.
  • The 3D elements will only be moved when an Align command is selected.
  • Selecting an Align command will not change the currently selected alignment points, allowing multiple align commands to be performed using the same alignment points.
  • Switching out of Align mode will clear the currently selected alignment points and no 3D elements will be moved.


Which 3D elements have defined Alignment Points? 

Box

Cylinder

Cone

Dish

Sphere

Torus

I-Beam

Channel

Angle


Alignment Examples

Example of aligning two 3D elements.


Select alignment points

 - Align All

 - Align Direction

 - Align Direction Again  

       

Example of aligning multiple 3D elements.


Select alignment points

 - Align East West

 - Align Direction

 - Align Up Down