Cloning and Copying Components

There are two ways to duplicate components using 3D Modeler:

§         Cloning

§         Copying

If you clone a component you can rotate or move the component as much as you like before you place it in a new location. In addition, cloning automatically orients the copied component to fit at the specified connection point. Note that you can only clone one component at a time.

If you choose copy, you can select and copy multiple components; however you cannot preview or manipulate the components while copying them. Rotating, etc. must be done as a separate procedure.  The Copy command in 3DSMART is identical to the Copy command in AutoCAD and the two commands may be used interchangeably.

To clone a component...

1.   From the Toolbox Changes tab, select Clone.

Select component to clone appears in the command line.

2.   In the design, click the component you want to clone.

Specify reference point appears in the command line.

3.   Click the endpoint of the component where you want to insert the clone.

The cloned component appears in the selected location.

Enter placement option [Base point/Rotate] appears in the command line.

4.   Do one of the following:

• Press Enter to accept the current placement.

•  Type b in the command line to insert the component by a different base point. Press Enter.

•  Type r in the command line to rotate the component. Type the rotation angle. Press Enter.

To copy components...

1.   From the Toolbox Changes tab, select Copy Selection.

The cursor changes to a square.

Select objects appears in the command line.

2.   In the design, select the component(s) you want to copy.

3.   Press Enter.

Select base point appears in the command line window.

4.   Click a point on the group of components you are going to copy.

Select second point of displacement appears in the command line window.

5.   Click in the design where you want to insert the copied components.

The copied component(s) appears in the selected location.