You can edit constrained
geometric objects with grips, editing commands, or by relaxing or
applying geometric constraints.
By
definition, geometric constraints that are applied to geometric
objects limit the editing actions that you perform on the objects.
Modify Constrained Objects
with Grips
You
can modify constrained geometry using grip editing modes. The geometry
will maintain all applied constraints.
For example, if a line
object is constrained to remain tangent to a circle, you can rotate
the line and change its length and endpoints, but the line or
its extension will remain tangent to the circle.
If the circle was an
arc instead, the line or its extension would remain
tangent to the arc or its extension.
The results of modifying
underconstrained objects are based on what constraints have already
been applied and the object types involved. For example, if the
Radius constraint had not been applied, the radius of the circle would
have been modified instead of the tangent point of the line.
The CONSTRAINTSOLVEMODE system variable
determines the way an object behaves when constraints are applied
or when grips are used to edit it.
Best PracticeYou can limit unexpected
changes by applying additional geometric or dimensional constraints.
Common choices include coincident and fix constraints.
Modify Constrained Objects
with Editing Commands
You can use editing commands
such as MOVE, COPY, ROTATE, SCALE, and STRETCH to modify constrained
geometry. The results maintain the constraints applied to the objects.
NoteThe TRIM, EXTEND,
BREAK, and JOIN commands in some circumstances can remove constraints.
By
default, if an editing command results in copying the constrained
objects, the constraints applied to the original objects will also
be duplicated. This behavior is controlled by the PARAMETERCOPYMODE system variable. Using
the copying technique, you can save work by taking advantage of
multiple instances of objects, bilateral symmetry, or radial symmetry.
For information about
temporarily relaxing constraints, see Overview of Constraints.
To grip-edit constrained
geometry
- Select the constrained object.
- Click the grips and drag it to edit the
geometry.
To turn a constraint off
- Click the constrained object to select
it.
- Move your mouse over a grip.
The grips are displayed
in red to show that the object is selected.
- Click the grip.
- Press and release the Ctrl key.
- Move the object. The object moves freely
as it is no longer constrained.
Constraint bars will
no longer be displayed (if enabled) for the object, as the constraints
are turned off.
To delete a geometric constraint
- Select a constrained object.
- Ensure that the constraint bar is visible
for the selected object.
- Right-click the constraint bar. Click
Delete.
Constraint bars for the
deleted constraint will no longer display for the object.
To delete all geometric
constraints from an object
- Select a constrained object.
NoteAll geometric and
dimensional constraints are removed from the object.
- Press Enter.
CommandsGEOMCONSTRAINT
Displays or hides the
geometric constraints on an object.
CONSTRAINTBAR
Displays or hides the
geometric constraints on an object.
CONSTRAINTSETTINGS
Controls the display
of geometric constraints on constraint bars.
System VariablesCONSTRAINTBARMODE
Controls the display
of geometrical constraints on constraint bars.
CONSTRAINTBARDISPLAY
Controls the display
of constraint bars after you apply constraints and when you select
geometrically constrained drawings.
CONSTRAINTNAMEFORMAT
Controls the text format
for dimensional constraints.
CONSTRAINTRELAX
Indicates whether constraints
are enforced or relaxed when editing an object.
CONSTRAINTSOLVEMODE
Controls constraint
behavior when applying or editing constraints.
