Geometric Constraints

Geometric constraints preserve the geometric properties of objects.

Constrain Horizontal-Vertical

Constrain a linear object to remain horizontal or vertical. Once constrained, the object cannot be rotated to any other position. The object can be resized in length, but it always remains horizontal or vertical.

 

To constrain an object to remain horizontal-vertical:

 

1.	Click the Constrain Horiz-Vertical tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the linear object to be constrained.

A red horizontal-vertical constraint is drawn on the object.

If the object is diagonal when the constraint is placed, it rotates to become vertical or horizontal, depending on which angle it is closest to.

Constrain Parallel

Constrain linear objects or line segments to be parallel to one another. If one object is rotated, the object constrained to it rotates to remain parallel to the first object. Lines do not need to be parallel when placing the constraints; the first line rotates to match the angle of the second line.

 

To constrain linear objects or line segments to be parallel:

1.	Click the Constrain Parallel tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the line to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the line to be constrained.

Red parallel constraint indicators are drawn around the two lines.

Constrain Perpendicular

Constrain linear objects or line segments to be perpendicular to one another. If one line is rotated, the line it is constrained to adjusts to remain perpendicular to the first line. Lines do not need to be perpendicular when placing the constraints; the first line rotates to become perpendicular to the second line.

 

To constrain lines to be perpendicular:

1.	Click the Constrain Perpendicular tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the line to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the line to be constrained.

A red perpendicular constraint is drawn, connecting the two lines.

Constrain Colinear

Constrain the colinearity between two linear objects. If one line is moved, the line it is constrained to adjusts to remain aligned. Lines do not need to be aligned when placing the constraints; the first line moves to become colinear to the second line.

 

To constrain the colinearity between two lines:

 

1.	Click the Constrain Colinear tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the line to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the line to be constrained.

Red colinear constraint indicators are drawn on the two lines.

Constrain Coincident

Constrain two selected points to remain attached. If one object is moved, the object it is constrained to adjusts to maintain the connection. The first point stretches to connect to the second point, if necessary.

 

To constrain the connection between two points:

 

1.	Click the Constrain Coincident tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the point to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the point to be constrained.

A red coincident constraint is drawn where the two points touch.

Constrain Concentric

Constrain circles and arcs concentrically. If a circle or arc is moved, the circle or arc it is constrained to moves so that their centers remain aligned. Circles and arcs do not need to be concentric when placing the constraints; the first object moves so that its center aligns to the second object’s center.

 

To constrain two circles or arcs concentrically:

 

1.	Click the Constrain Concentric tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the object to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the object to be constrained.

A red concentric constraint is drawn at the center of the two objects.

Constrain Tangent

Constrain a circle, arc or line to be tangent to another circle or arc. If one object is moved, the other object it is constrained to adjusts to maintain the tangency. Objects do not need to be tangent to one another when placing the constraints; the first object moves to become tangent to the second.

 

To constrain a circle, arc or line to be tangent to a circle or arc:

 

1.	Click the Constrain Tangent tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Click on the circle or arc to constrain.

The cursor switches to the bull’s-eye cursor.

3.	Click on the circle, arc or line to be constrained.

A red tangent constraint is drawn at the tangent point of the two objects.