3.1. Adjusting Existing Elements

ADJUST EXISTING ELEMENTS


Once you created elements, time to adjust them. All these tools are found in the Modify tab, although it is highly recommended to use shortcuts.

MOVE (shortcut: MV)
To move an element, select it and use Move. After that, click on a base point and destination point or type in a value for more precision.


COPY (shortcut: CO)
Select one or multiple elements. Use copy and move to the destination. Check Multiple in the Options Bar to create as many copies as you need until you press escape.



OFFSET (shortcut: OF)
Click Offset, then set a value in the options bar. Then, hover your cursor above the element you want to offset. A dashed blue line will preview the offset. Check Copy if you want the original element to be preserved.


ROTATE (shortcut: RO)
To rotate an element, click once to set rotate axis, then move cursor or type in value. If required, set Center of Rotation in the option bar.





MIRROR (shortcut: MM)
Select an element and use Mirror. Then select a reference line to mirror the selected element along with the reference. Check Copy in the Options Bar to keep the original elements.


ALIGN (shortcut: AL)
This tool is the best to adjust elements quickly. Click a reference line from any element, then select an element to be aligned. Check Multiple Alignment in the options bar to align multiple elements.


Align can be also be used to Rotate element. Click the lock icon to constraint elements together, meaning they’ll move simultaneously.




SPLIT (shortcut: SL)
Use this tool to divide an element into multiple segments.


TRIM (shortcut: TR)
Use this tool to Trim or Extend elements to be joined together.





SCALE (shortcut: RE)
Select elements to be scaled. Set a numerical value in the options bar. Then click on the screen to apply the Scale effect.



TEMPORARY DIMENSIONS
Another way to adjust elements is to use temporary dimensions. Anytime you select an element, temporary dimensions will show up. Adjust witness lines by moving blue dots. Change the value to move the element.




MATCH TYPE PROPERTIES (shortcut: MA)
Use this tool to take type properties from an element and set them to another one from the same category. For example, below we use Match Properties from a thick wall to a thin one.


CREATE SIMILAR (shortcut: CS)
Use this tool to quickly create a new element using the same type as the selected one.




THIN LINES
(shortcut: TL)
It’s difficult to be precise when lines thickness is in the way. Use the Thin Lines tool to make everything 1 pixel width. This tool only affects your screen; printed elements will show the real thickness.



PASTE ALIGNED TO CURRENT VIEW
Copy elements from one floor to another to the exact same spot using the Paste Aligned to Current View tool. Copy the element from level 1, then use this tool to paste it in the same spot on level 2.