Modifying Objects

Object Modification is the process of changing the physical characteristics of the original selected objects.

When objects are modified they are required to be pre-selected.

Objects are edited during the modification process, but not duplicated. This is done by the process of Object Duplication The method used to create a copy, or series of copies of a selected object..

Likewise, objects are not moved or relocated during the modification. This is done by the process of Object Transformatio The method used to select and manipulate by means of moving, rotating, relocating and scaling objects in the workspace.n.

All tools below are found in the Modify menu palette or the Modify pull down menu.

Undo andRedo Tools

All actions in the editor can be reversed or restored using the Undo or Redo tool. These modification tools can be found in the Properties toolbar at the top left of the editor, shown below.

Undo (left) and Redo (right) buttons

The Undo and Redo actions are also found in the context menu by right-clicking in the editor. These actions are context-sensitive and only represent recently executed actions in the editor.

Right-click context menu in the editor

EXAMPLES OF OBJECT MODIFICATION

Use this sample drawingor create a similar sketch in the workspace.

Line Length

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Line Length

Default : Modify | Line Length

This tool shortens or lengthens a line to a position specified by the pointing device.

A boundary edge is not required.

The planar integrity of the line will remain the same when the line length is changed.

The Selection Info Palette Tools > Palettes > Selection Info can also be used to adjust the overall length of a line, the angle and its spatial coordinates.

Lengthening a line. Angle of line is maintained.

Trim

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Trim by Entity

Default Menu : Modify | Trim

Palette : Modify | Modify | Object Trim

This tool deletes the segments of lines or arcs between intersecting boundaries.

The intersecting boundary edges are referred to as cutting edges.

Multiple cutting edges can be selected. When the cutting edges are selected, right click and select Finish Selection or press Enter. The segments to trim can then be selected for removal.

 

Object Trim

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Object Trim

Palette : Modify | Modify | Object Trim

This tool deletes the segments of lines or arcs between intersecting boundaries.

The intersecting boundary edges are referred to as cutting edges.

Multiple cutting edges can be selected by holding down the SHIFT key and adding or removing cutting edges. When the cutting edges are selected, release the SHIFT key (if multiple edges are selected) then select the segments to trim.

Multiple cutting edges shown left, trimmed segments shown right

Closed Contour Trim

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Object Trim – select objects, right click, Extract closed contour from closed entity

Palette : Modify | Modify | Object Trim – – select objects, right click, Extract closed contour from closed entity.

This trimming tool has the ability to trim hatched or closed objects and maintain the hatch or closure. In the example below, polylines were used to create division lines within 2 closed objects; a polyline boundary and a hatch pattern.

By selecting the Object Trim tool, then right clicking and selecting Extract closed contour from closed entity, the interior polylines can be selected as cutting edges to produce 3 separate trim zones within the boundary.

Trim tool used to trim hatched area using the 2 angled polylines

Split Entity

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Split

Default Menu : Modify | Split

Palette : Modify | Modify | Split Entity

Used to split a line, double line, circle or arc into 2 or more segments.

This modification tool allows a single entity to be segmented at a specified position.

Temporary markers are inserted, shown below left to indicate the split segment.

The Select tool is used to select, then delete a segment.

Markers shown break points, deleted segment shown right

Shrink/Extend Line

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Shrink/Extend Line

Default Menu : Modify | Shrink/Extend Line

Palette : Modify | Modify | Shrink/Extend Line

Lengthens or shortens a line to an existing boundary.

The planar geometry of the lines is not compromised when using the Shrink/Extend tool.

The Multi Shrink/Extend tool is used to shorten or lengthen multiple lines to an existing boundary.

In the illustration below, the lines shown by the markers are shortened to the horizontal edge.

Lines shortened to the horizontal edge

In the illustration below, the lines shown by the markers are lengthened to the diagonal edges.

Lines lengthened to diagonal edges

Multi Shrink/Extend Line

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Multi Shrink/Extend Line

Default Menu : Modify | Multi Shrink/Extend Line

Palette : Modify | Modify | Multi Shrink/Extend Line

The Multi Shrink/Extend tool is used to shorten or lengthen multiple lines to an existing boundary.

The planar geometry the original angle of the lines of the lines is not compromised when using the Multi Shrink/Extend tool.

In the example below, the lines selected by the fence will be lengthened to the diagonal edges shown by the arrow.

Lines lengthened to diagonal edges

In the example below, the lines selected by the fence will be lengthened to the horizontal edge shown by the arrow.

Lines shortened to horizontal edges

Stretch

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Stretch

Default Menu : Modify | Stretch

Palette : Modify | Modify | Stretch

The Stretch tool stretches or shrinks a selected group of objects by defining a base and destination position.

A selection rectangle must enclose the portion of object to stretch.

The exact distance of the destination point can be given by inputting a value into the Length and Angle fields.

Hold down the SHIFT key if non specific lengths are required and to maintain an orthographic angle.

In the example below, the selected objects are stretched upwards.

Selected segments stretched upwards

In the example below, the selected objects are stretched downwards.

Selected segments stretched downwards

Arc Complement

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Arc Complement

Default Menu : Modify | Stretch

Palette : Modify | Modify | Arc Complement

Arc complement replaces the arc segment with its complement.

In the illustration below, the left arc has replaced the right arc.

Arc replaced with its complement

Meet 2 Lines

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications

Default Menu : Modify | Meet 2 Lines

Palette : Modify | Modify | Meet 2 Lines

The Meet 2 Lines tool creates ‘corners’ of intersecting or potentially intersecting lines.

The planar geometry of the lines is not compromised when using the Meet 2 Lines feature.

Diagonal lines will meet at their potential intersection point.

Line lengthened to diagonal edge

Join Polyline

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Join Polyline

Default Menu : Modify | Join Polyline

Contiguous line and arc segments can be converted into one continual polyline contour using the Join Polyline tool.

The vertex points of contiguous lines and arcs must be coincident.

In the example below, the Join Polyline tool is used to create a continual contour of the arcs and lines.

Joining the arcs and lines to create a single contour

The Join Polyline tool works on bezier and splines without converting them to polylines. Their original curve status is maintained.

Left image shows 2 separate but connected polylines. ‘Join Polyline’ creates one spline with original control points intact

 

Unmatched connections

A local menu item Unmatched connections is available when using the Join Polyline tool. This tool provides an ability to join polylines that do not have exact connections i.e., the ends of the adjacent polylines either have an intersection or a gap between them. On enabling the option, the maximum distance between the polylines in the Tolerance field must be defined for connection.

Modify > Join Polyline > (right-click) > 1. Unmatched connections; 2. Set Tolerance; 3. Select first Polyline; 4. Select second polyline.

Detail Section

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Detail Section

Palette : Modify | Modify | Details Section

This tool allows an area of a drawing to be identified, usually by means of a circle or elliptical drawing object and extracted at a specified scale.

The Selection Info Palette identifies the copied objects a Group of Objects which can only be modified by exploding. The extracted copy of the detail is not associated to the main object for modification purposes and should be treated as a ‘snapshot’ image only.

In the example below, a circle has been used as the cutting closed contour.

The detail has been increased to a scale of 5, assuming the scale of the object from which it is extracted to be 1.

Using a circle as a cutting closed contour. Detail scaled x 5.

Fillet 2D

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Fillet2D

Default Menu : Modify | Fillet2D

Palette : Modify | Modify | Fillet2D

This tool creates a radial blend between two lines or arcs.

The resulting radius will either trim or extend the lines to the radius.

When the fillet radius is set to zero, the lines will be trimmed or extended without creating a radius, similar to the Meet 2 Lines feature.

This tool will create a radius on lines, polylines and double line entities as well as arcs and circles.

A connecting arc can be inserted between 2 parallel lines.

Blends created on selected vertices

When the fillet radius is set to 0 and the edges of two parallel lines are selected, shown below, a blend with a diameter equal to the distance between the two lines will be created.

Adds a fillet with a diameter equal to the distance between the parallel lines

Chamfer

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | Chamfer | Distance/Distance

Default Menu : Modify | Chamfer | Distance/Distance

Palette : Modify | Modify | Chamfer Distance/Distance

Creates a beveled edge between 2 lines.

When the Chamfer distance is set to 0, this method will connect a line between 2 parallel vertices.

The resulting chamfer will either trim or extend the lines to the newly created edge.

When both chamfer distances are set to zero, the lines will be trimmed or extended without creating a chamfer, similar to the Meet 2 Lines feature.

This tool will create a chamfer on lines, polylines and double line entities.

When the chamfer distance is set to 0 and the edges of two parallel lines are selected, shown below, the end vertices are  joined by a line equal to the distance between the 2 parallel lines.

Adds a line equal to the distance between the parallel lines

Convert toCurve

Ribbon : Format | Drawing Actions | Bezier

Default Menu : Modify | Convert to Curve

Palette : Modify | Modify | Convert to Curve

This tool converts a polyline or polyline/polyarc series into a bezier curve A Bezier curve is a freehand curve which consists of multiple segments and control points..

In the illustration below, the polyline is represented as such in the Selection Info Palette.

When the object is converted to a curve, the Selection Info Palette indicates this as a Bezier curve which can be modified using the control points using the Edit tool, shown below.

 

Convert to Arc Polyline

Ribbon : Format | Drawing Actions | To Arcs Polyline

Default Menu : Modify | Convert to Arc/Polyline

Palette : Modify | Modify | Convert to Arc/Polyline

This tool converts a curved sequence such as a bezier curve into a polyline/polyarc series.

T-Meet Double Lines

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | T-Meet Double Lines

Default Menu : Modify | Intersect Double Lines | T-Meet 2 Double Lines

Palette : Modify | Double Line Modify | T-Meet Double Lines

This tool creates a T shape from 2 intersecting double lines.

The order in which the lines are selected is important. The illustration, below right has been produced by selecting the lines in the near right illustration in the specified order.

Position on lines selected to connect in T-Meet

X-Meet Double Lines

(missing or bad snippet)

Ribbon : Modify | 2D Modifications | X-Meet Double Lines

Default Menu : Modify | Intersect Double Lines | Intersect 2 Double Lines

Palette : Modify | Double Line Modify |X-Meet Double Lines

This tool trims out the segments of 2 overlapping double lines at their common intersection.

The order in which the lines are selected is not important.

Position on lines selected to connect in X-Meet

The Undo Manager Palette

Tools | Palettes | Undo Manager

This palette creates an incremental list of actions taken in the editor.

These actions are numerically listed sequentially in accordance with their event history.

This allows a sequence of events, up to the selected item to be reversed. The reversed items remain listed in the Undo Manager palette, allowing items to be restored up to a selected item.

To create a numbered sequence, select Options The Options icon is shown in the toolbar of the Undo Manager palette. in the Undo Manager palette, shown below, and set the option to Add Number.

Setting the option to Add Number

By using the Add Number option, all actions in the editor are numbered in ascending order of their event history, shown below.

Incremental actions listed sequentially

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TAKE NOTE

Actions which are reversed or restored using the Undo Manager palette still respond to the Undo and Redo features available in the editor.

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Example

Activate the Undo Manager palette using Tools | Palettes | Undo Manager.

Draw a few objects in Plan view, similar to the illustration below.

Simple sketch object

In the example below, a fillet radius of 5 has been applied to the corners shown by the points 1 and 2 below. These are listed as Fillet2D 0 and Fillet 2D 1 in the palette, shown by the arrow, below right.

Fillet blends created and added to the palette

All subsequent modifications to the sketch will be listed sequentially in the Undo Manager palette. In the example below, the sketch has been stretched vertically and horizontally, then the Meet 2 Lines tool was use to trim inner segments of line, shown below.

The Undo Manager palette has created a sequentially numbered list of these actions, shown below.

To modify the process in the Undo Manager palette, select the item whose action you wish to reverse.

In the example below, the item Stretch 2 represents the vertical stretch of the process.

By selecting the yellow right directional arrow shown above, all actions up to but not including the horizontal stretch – Stretch 2 – will be reversed to their original position.

As shown above, the Meet 2 Lines 4 and 5 functions, as well as the Stretch 3 action are greyed out. This indicates that all actions up to Stretch 2 have been reversed.

 

Restoring an Undo action in the Undo Management Palette

In the example below, the Meet 2 Lines 4 and 5 items and the vertical stretch represented by Stretch 3 should be restored. Select the Stretch 2 item shown below, then select the left yellow directional arrow to restore the sketch to the Stretch 2 position.

Restoring a sequence of events

All following actions such as Stretch 3, Meet 2 Lines 4 and 5 will be restored, shown below.