KeyCreator / Transform / Overview / Transform

The features available from the Transform Menu can be used to transform entities in your drawing by moving, copying, or joining selected geometry. You can also project entities onto a selected plane, change the scale of a part or drawing, or create a mirrored image of an entity (to create symmetrical parts) using the available features.

  • When translation vectors are entered, the prompts will vary according to World or View Coordinates. The Settings Window will indicate what coordinates you are using.

    The following prompt is encountered when in World Coordinates:

    dX= dY= dZ=

    The following prompt is encountered when in View Coordinates:

    dXV= dYV= dZV=

 

Transform Function Types:
Move

This option moves entities to a different position on the screen and performs the selected transformation.

  • This function will not leave a copy of the original.

  • All nongeometric data relating to the entities is saved. For example, the current color is saved.

Copy

This option copies selected entities and performs a selected transformation.

  • Creates copies on the active level and retains the attributes of the original geometry.

  • Saves all nongeometric data relating to the entities.

  • If the transformation does not change a grouped entity's scale or shape, the program automatically creates new subgroups when you choose this option. Each copy contains the same number of new subgroups as the original geometry.

    For example, use Rotate to make three copies of geometry containing three subgroups. Each copy contains three new subgroups, for a total of nine new subgroups.

  • All options, except Mirror, Project Normal and Project Skewed, let you create as many copies as you want in one operation. The selected transformation is performed for a given copy to the results of the previous copy.

    For example, translate geometry by x=3, y=0, and z=0 in View 1 and specify two copies. This creates two copies of the original geometry. Each point is three units away from the preceding geometry.

Join

This option creates copies of selected entities and joins end point positions on the original entities with end point positions on the copies.

  • Joining entities assume default attributes. Unless specifically noted in the options, the joining entities will be lines.

  • Coincident positions create only one joining entity.

  • A point creates a joining entity at its position.

  • A line, open arc, open conic, or spline creates joining entities at the entity’s end positions.

  • A closed arc or ellipse creates a joining entity at the its zero degree position.

  • A polygon or polyline creates joining entities at its vertices and end positions.

  • The Join function cannot be used with annotations.

Transforming Grouped Entities:

If you select Scale Full, Scale Axes, Scale Unidirectional, Project Normal, or Project Skewed, and at least one grouped entity, the following menu will appear:

KeyCreator Transform Group
  • Group - Creates one new group per copy for each group that contains at least one selected entity. After the selected transformation is performed, you are prompted for new group names as the program copies the member entities. Each new group has the same subgroup structure as the original group, but it does not contain empty subgroups.

  • Subgroup - Creates one new subgroup per copy for each selected entity and then continues with the process.

  • Entity - Ungroups all copies.