200
AutoCAD and Its Applications—Advanced
NOTTE OT
If the
GTAUTO
system variable is set to 1, the move gizmo is displayed
when a solid is selected with no command active. If the
GTLOCATION
system variable is set to 0, the gizmo is placed in the same orientation
as the UCS icon. Both variables are set to 1 by default.
3D Rotating 3D Rotating
As you have seen in earlier chapters, the
ROTATE
command can be used to rotate
3D objects. However, the command can only rotate objects in the XY plane of the current
UCS. This is why you had to change UCSs to properly rotate objects. The
3DROTATE
command, on the other hand, can rotate objects on any axis regardless of the current
UCS. This is an extremely powerful editing and design tool.
When the command is initiated, you are prompted to select the object(s) to rotate.
After selecting the objects, press [Enter]. The rotate gizmo is displayed in the center of
the selection set. The gizmo provides you with a dynamic, graphic representation of
the three axes of rotation. Refer to Figure 8-8B. After selecting the objects, you must
specify a location for the gizmo, which is the base point for rotation.
Now, you can use the gizmo to rotate the objects about the tool’s local X, Y, or Z
axis. As you hover the cursor over one of the three circles in the gizmo, a vector is
displayed that represents the axis of rotation. To rotate about the tool’s X axis, pick the
red circle on the gizmo. To rotate about the Y axis, pick the green circle. To rotate about
the Z axis, pick the blue circle. Once you select a circle, it turns yellow and you are
prompted for the start point of the rotation angle. You can enter a direct angle at this
prompt or pick the first of two points defining fi the angle of rotation. When the rotation fi
angle is defined, the object is rotated about the selected axis. fi
The following example rotates the bend in the HVAC assembly shown in
Figure 8-9A. Set the center of face 3D object snap. Then, select the command and
continue:
Current positive angle in UCS:
ANGDIR=(current) ANGBASE=(current)
Select objects:
(pick the bend)
1 found
Select objects: ↵
Specify base point:
(acquire the center of the face and pick)
Pick a rotation axis:
(pick the circle indicated in Figure 8-9A)
Specify angle start point or type an angle: 180↵
Note that the rotate gizmo remains visible through the base point and the angle of
rotation selections. The rotated object is shown in Figure 8-9B.
If you need to rotate an object on an axis that is not parallel to the current X, Y, or
Z axes, use a dynamic UCS with the
3DROTATE
command. Chapter 4 discussed the
benefits of using a dynamic UCS when creating objects that need to be parallel to a fi
surface other than the XY plane. With the object selected for rotation and the dynamic
UCS option active (pick the
Allow/Disallow Dynamic UCS
button on the status bar),
right-click and select
Relocate
Gizmo. Make sure the
Respect Dynamic UCS
option
is checked. Then, move the rotate gizmo over a face of the object. The gizmo aligns
itself with the surface so that the Z axis is perpendicular to the face. Carefully place
the gizmo over the point of rotation using object snaps. Make sure the tool is correctly
positioned before picking to locate it. Then, enter an angle or use polar tracking to
rotate the object about the appropriate axis on the gizmo.
3DROTATE
Ribbon
Home
Modify
3D Rotate
Type
3DROTATE
3R