How to force "Change Axis" to the RGB directions I want
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This has irked me in the past, but lately quite a lot.
I am drawing multiple components that are at an angle to the global axis, sometimes just slightly off. When I create the component bounding box, it naturally aligns with the global axis.
But I need the box aligned to an angle from within the component.
"Change Axis" is driving me nuts. I can't grab a red, blue or green axis and force it in the direction I want. It keeps jumping around to the global axis, or if I'm lucky, I can set the blue (usually up/down) but I can't get either the red or green to the angle I want.
I have to do it several times at least, before I get what I want. I've even tried a copy and manually reorient it outside the model confines, but most times I need the internal reference, so it does not always work.
So, how do I grab an axis and put it where I want?
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Create something to follow when placing the axes. Use a guideline with the correct orientation for example.
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I tried something like that. I am choosing a well defined 3 line corner to initiate the placement. The problem is the first axis placement is usually not a problem. It is the second axis placement that simply will not do what I want. If I set the blue (for example) then I can't grab the red or the green to place one. It keeps flipping around aligning with the global axis.
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When you change the axes for a component you only get to set the red and green. Blue takes care of itself based on where you put red and green. If you can't place the one of the axes where you think it should be you'll need to orbit the view a bit to make it easier to place it. It's the same as drawing a line.
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I've orbited past the ISS. Usually nogo.
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Can you attach a sample component you are having problems with.
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@jgb said:
I tried something like that. I am choosing a well defined 3 line corner to initiate the placement. The problem is the first axis placement is usually not a problem. It is the second axis placement that simply will not do what I want. If I set the blue (for example) then I can't grab the red or the green to place one. It keeps flipping around aligning with the global axis.
What if you temporarily set at least one leg of your global axis along what would be your inside group/component second axis placement?
When complete.......of course reset global axis.
I know......not ideal......but? Maybe more predictable. -
@jgb said:
...... I am drawing multiple components that are at an angle to the global axis, sometimes just slightly off. When I create the component bounding box, it naturally aligns with the global axis.
But I need the box aligned to an angle from within the component.
In cases the bounding box (and thus the local axes) are just slightly off global axes (say an angle of as little as 0.5 degrees), 'Change Axes' on the component doesn't work. They keep snapping to the global axes.
Redraw the drawing axes at quite a different angle, keeping blue the same.
Now apply 'Change Axes' from the right click context menu on the component to set its bounding box correct along its edges (= an effective rotation of 0.5 degrees).
Then reset the drawing axes.I hope I did understand your problem correctly.
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Yes, Wo3Dan, you do. And thank you.....
I tried that in the past and most times it works. But you sparked a thought that is a solution.
Within the bounds of the component I draw a grouped cube, and align it as I want the components axis to be. Change Axis of the component to the grouped cube works every time! Then I delete the grouped cube. It can be a bit tedious for a lot of off axis components, but it works better and faster than playing with change axis a dozen times.
The primary reason I need accurate axis alignment is I use Move/rotate and Rotate to orient copies of the component in several positions, where the rotation axis is not quite on the global axis, like changing flap angles on a dihedral swept wing. I also use hidden lines to extend the bounding box so that the main rotation axis is dead on the geo-center of the bounding box.
That way I only need the Move/rotate tool to simply pivot the object; instead of the Rotate tool, having to find the center of rotation and its RGB attitude every time I need to change the components attitude.
Now... if only I can remember to do that instead if instinctively just change Axis!!!!
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