modifying objects

Each object within the structure has certain properties. These can be modified but only if the object is selected (see previous chapter 'selecting objects').

Different properties have different interfaces to modify them. First we'll take a look at modifying the geometry of the structure.


moving objects
After selection objects can be moved by activating the "Move"-command.

  Move     Modify > Move  
Translate, move, selected objects.
[default accelerator: keyboard "W"]

the graphic move-tool
If the Move-command is active the graphic Move-tool will appear.
By dragging the arrows, the selected objects are moved in either X-, Y- or Z-direction.
By dragging the yellow square in the center of the tool, the objects are moved parallel to the active plane.



rotating objects
After selection objects can be rotated by activating the "Rotate"-command.

  Rotate     Modify > Rotate  
Rotate selected objects.
[default accelerator: keyboard "E"]

the graphic rotate-tool
If the Rotate-command is active the graphic Rotate-tool will appear.
By dragging the circles, the selected objects are rotated round either X-, Y- or Z-axis.
Note that rotation is order specific: Sfere2 first rotates round the X-axis, then around the Y-axis and finally around the Z-axis.



scaling objects
After selection objects can be scaled by activating the "Scale"-command.

  Scale     Modify > Scale  
Scale selected objects.
[default accelerator: keyboard "R"]

the graphic scale-tool
If the Scale-command is active the graphic Scale-tool will appear.
By dragging the solid cubes, the selected objects are scaled in either X-, Y- or Z-axis.
By dragging the yellow wireframe cube in the center of the tool, the objects are uniformly scaled.



modifying member geometry
The location and orientation of members is determined by the joints they're attached to. If members are transformed, it's actually the joints that do the transforming. This is indicated by the color of the joints. If they are not selected but do transform they will be highlighted in red.