Set Material Reference Point ( Modeling )

Tool summary :

  • Shows you the dimensioning reference point of the material that you select and lets you, optionally, change the postion of that reference point.
  • The location of the reference point is identified with a crosshair symbol like that shown below.

    Do not confuse the material reference point with the origin reference point , which uses the same symbol.
  • A dimensioning reference point is the point from which Detail Members draws and measures dimensions when it automatically generates the member detail .
  • Dimensioning reference points are automatically generated for all materials during Process and Create Solids . Home > Project Settings > Fabricator > Position and Match Marks influences the placement of reference points for materials.
  • Resetting the dimensioning reference point does not alter the material's 0, 0, 0 material coordinate or its reference location X , Y , or elevation . It also does not change the pivot point around which material is rotated .
  • The point that is designated by a origin symbol when you Edit Material is the dimensioning reference point for a material. For a member main material, this default location of this point is the origin reference point (its 0, 0, 0 material coordinate ).
  • See the step-by-step instructions .

Also see :

page 1 | contents | model > material > | model -- material | index

   Step-by-step instructions :

You must do either step 1c (preselection) or step 3 (in-tool selection) to perform this operation. The following instructions assume that you are using a 3-button mouse.

1 . Before using this tool:

1a : Make sure that the member whose submaterial you want to check the dimensioning reference point on is displayed in one of the three solid forms .

1b (tip) : Place construction lines so that there are INCL points where you want to move the material's dimensioning reference point to.

Select Items bindings (step 1c)

1c (optional) : In Select Items mode with an appropriate selection filter selected, left-click ( Select ) the one (1) material that you want to set the dimensioning reference point for. When selected, the material will be displayed in the " Primary selection color ," which by default is green. Tip : To select a member main material, hover the material and right-click ( Menu ) and choose " Select Other " on the context menu , or you can click the material after first setting the selection filter to ' Material '.

2 . Invoke Set Reference Point using any one of the following methods:

Method 1 : Click the Set Reverence Point icon. The icon can be taken from the group named ' Model -- Material ' and placed on a toolbar (classic) or the ribbon (lightning).

Method 2 : If " Modeling layout style " is ' Classic ', you can use the menu system to choose Model > Material > Set Reference Point .

Method 3, 4 or 5 : Set Reference Point can also be configured to be invoked using a keyboard shortcut , the context menu , or a mode . For the lightning interface, this configuration is done using Customize Interface .

Method 6 : With Material Mode mouse bindings active, position the mouse pointer ( ) over the material whose reference point you want to change, then hold down the Ctrl key and left-click ( Set Ref Pt ). Skip step 3 and go to step 4.

3 . Skip this step if you already selected a material in step 1c or if you did step 2, method 4.

Select One Item bindings

3b (if you didn't preselect) : Set Reference Point prompts you to use Select One Item mouse bindings to left-click ( Select ) a material. This prompting also occurs when more than one material is selected or a member (rather than a submaterial) is selected.

4 . Locate - Pan - Return mouse bindings become active. A point location symbol (cross within a circle) shows the current location of the reference point on your computer screen.

bindings

shows reference point location

Alternative 1 : Right-click ( Return ) if you are happy with the current location of the reference point. Do not continue.

Alternative 2 : Select the Locate icon that you want, place the mouse pointer ( ) so the point location target ( ) snaps to where you want to move the reference point, then left-click ( Locate ). Go to step 5.

Warning: If you attempt to place the dimensioning reference point at a location where the resulting detail will be difficult to read, Error handling gives you a warning message such as " Point is too far from material origin " and does not allow you to proceed.

5 . Yes - No mouse bindings become active, and the point location symbol snaps to the point you located in step 4. The status line prompts, "Verify material dimension reference point."

bindings

Alternative 1 : Left-click ( Yes ) if the reference point is now where you want it. Go to step 6.

Alternative 2 : Right-click ( No ) to reposition the reference point. Go back to step 4.

6 . The mouse bindings that were active before step 2 become active again.

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