Aligning Points, Edges, and Polygons

on this page: snapping | local grid tools | setting options | global grid tools

The PEP Editor features layout tools for aligning selected points, edges, and polygons. These tools include a snap target, a protractor, and a ruler. You can set preferences for the amount of "snap" these tools exhibit.

Use the protractor and ruler to move PEPs by increments relative to the PEP object's location. The Grid and Angle layout tools are also available in the PEP editor. Use these layout tools to move PEPs relative to the grid's location.

Set up:

  1. Make sure you are in the PEP editor.

  2. Select PEPs that you want to align using the layout tools.

  3. Define the master selection. Shift-click to deselect and reselect correct PEPs if necessary.

Snapping Selected PEPs

You can use the Snap Target to align PEPs when moving, rotating, or scaling them. Examples and How To's follow.

To move selected PEPs and snap to the target:

  1. Place the snap target in the scene by choosing Layout > Activate Snap Target and dragging the snap target into position.

  2. Move the selected PEPs to the desired location. The PEPs snap to the plane defined by the target.

For example, the chimney below was created by cutting a new polygon in the side of the roof, extruding the new polygon, then pushing the polygon up. However, this creates an angled chimney, because the roof is angled. To align the lower edge you would first select it, place the snap target (Shift-drag it until it turns purple, indicating that it is aligned exactly on the higher edge), then Shift-drag until the edge snaps to the plane. Three starbursts appear on the edge to indicate this alignment.

To rotate selected PEPs and snap to the target:

  1. Place the snap target in the scene by choosing Layout > Activate Snap Target and dragging the snap target into position. Notice that Shift-dragging the snap target "sticks" it to a PEP object's points, edges, and polygons as you drag the target across these features. The snap target turns purple when it is placed at one of these features.

  2. Place the PEP Jack. PEPs rotate around the PEP Jack's center. So, if you want a door to open and close as if on a hinge, you would place the PEP Jack on the edge that would have hinges.

  3. When you rotate PEPs using the Jack, notice that alignment feedback appears in the scene. This feedback consists of highlighted lines, as shown in the following example:



    Also, the round balls on the PEP Jack become highlighted when the Jack's axis snaps to alignment.

Aligning PEPs with the Protractor and Grid

The Protractor and Grid help you align PEPs in increments local to the PEP object. For example, you could rotate a model of a garage door 40 degrees from its previous position.

To rotate PEPs and snap to the protractor:

  1. Open PEP Angle Snap Options by clicking its button on the Layout palette:


  2. Click Enable Snapping To Protractor. Notice that you can specify the size and units of the protractor in this window.

  3. Place the PEP Jack in the scene. When you rotate, bright tick-marks appear to indicate the Protractor. The rotation will snap to these ticks.


Notes:

To translate PEPs and snap to the ruler:

  1. Open PEP Distance Snap Options by clicking its button on the Layout palette:


  2. Click Enable Snapping To Grid. Notice that you can specify the size and units of the grid in this window.

  3. Drag selected points, edges, and polygons. As you move the PEPs, they snap to the tick-marks on a light-blue grid:

Notes:

Setting Options for Local Protractor and Ruler

To set protractor preferences:

To set ruler preferences:

Aligning PEPs Using the Grid and Angle Layout Tools

You can use the grid and angle layout tools in the PEP editor. See Layout Tools for details on using these tools.