Object Properties

In this Task

• The properties of objects will be changed. Properties of an object relate to layer, color, line pattern and line pattern scale (dash scale)
• The 2 center line markers inserted in the previous Task will be exploded to create 4 separate lines. This is done so the individual line lengths can be adjusted.

Associated Tasks

• Using the Selection Info palette.

Before you Start

• Make sure the Selection Info palette is displayed in the workspace. Use Tools > Palettes > Selection Info to do this.

Take Note

• The Student_2D template which was recommended at the start of this session contains pre-set layers with accompanying colors and line patterns.
• The properties of objects are only shown in the Selection Info palette after they have been selected.

Object Properties

The Layer properties of an object can be changed by selecting the object, then selecting from the layer drop down menu the layer to which it should be transferred.

In this task, the Center Point Marks are on the correct layer, but the overall size of the lines were set to 20. Additionally, the line pattern should be the same as the CL layer, ie a standard center line pattern.

Line Pattern

First select the center line marks by selecting the first set, then using the SHIFT keyboard key to select the second set, shown below.

Using the SHIFT key to select Multiple objects

Use the Explode  tool to reduce the newly inserted Center Line Marks to separate objects. The 4 lines should remain selected. Move to the layer toolbar and select from the Line Pattern drop down, the ByLayer option, shown below.

This forces the lines to adopt the identical Line properties of the CL layer.

Line Pattern Dash Scale

With the lines still selected, open the Selection Info palette to check the dash scale of the line. In this case, the line dash scale for the CL should be approximately .25

Using the Selection Info palette to adjust the line pattern dash scale

Press ESC to discard the Selector Shell. The result is shown below.

Adjusting the line pattern dash scale of the center lines

Format Painter

Default | Standard toolbar at the top of the editor

The Format Painter is a useful tool for harvesting the properties of a source object, such as layer, line pattern, color etc and applying them to destination objects.

Select the Format Painter tool from the menu options above, then select one of the red center lines. This is the source object. Select the remaining center lines to transfer the properties to these lines, shown below. These are the destination objects.

Applying the properties of the source object to the destination objects

Use the Line Length tool to adjust the overall lengths of the individual center lines so that the result is similar to the illustration below.

Using the Line Length tool to adjust the individual length of the center lines

Hint

Snap modes are not required when shortening or lengthening lines.