JamesTaylor

Is it possible to rotate objects into an aligned position, simialr to how the rotate command in AutoCAD works when using a reference point.

i'm aware of using the align tool, but unless i've missed a trick it only aligns the entire object to another object in relation to the specified world / local / view axis chosen.

what i need to do is align a certain section of an object to a particular section of another, i've attached a screen grab to better illustrate it.

any suggestions?

Attached Images

Screen01.jpg (187.5 KB, 14 views)

notamondayfan

i think i understand what you are trying to do..

could you not move the pivot point to the top corner and rotate?

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BrianKitts

I've always wondered the same thing. Cause yes you could move the pivot point and snap it to the corner, but then I've always had to rotate the object till it looks like it's lined up. And if your rotatation isn't to an exact degree, you're probably off.

I've never figured out how you can grab a reference point and pull it to align with another point.....

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Brian Kitts
ANSHEN + ALLEN

alias_marks

Ditto, would like to hear if someone has been able to do this as well?

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marksee

There is only one option that I know of. If you 'align' an object to another there is an option algin the objects xyz orientation to that of the other object. This works some times - however - the more abstract the shape the less it works. From your image it looks like it might work. Align 1 to 2 and check align orientation for x y z. Good luck.

Some one should put rotate reference (like in AutoCad) on Autodesk's "wish list"

jvlive

Hi James,

I think marksee's suggestion will work, if indeed your target is to align object 1 to object 2. You just need to combine the "align position" and "align orientation" axes (see attached gif).
On the other hand, you said:

You seem to want just a particular section of object1 to align with object 2. In this case, the best thing I could think of is moving vertices. Or maybe try normal align (havent tried it though).

Hoped that helped.

p.s. hope this gif works, its my first!

Attached Images

align-2.gif (18.3 KB, 12 views)

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JamesTaylor

i've looked at moving the pivot point to the corner and rotating but that isn't a very accurate solution, i'd like to be able to rotate using a reference point in much the same way as AutoCAD does.

the align option doesn't work in the scenario, as you'll see from the attached screen grab what i'm trying to align is quite complex and the align tool works inconjunction with the local axis of ther geometry, Perhaps if there is away to accurately align the local axis to particular section the geometry it would be possible???

Moving vertices is going to alter the shape of my geometry which isn't what i want, i need to align the specific edge of the geometry to the corresponding part of the 2nd piece of geometry to orientate the entire piece correctly.

i'll keep playing and see what i come up with, i think perhaps there could be something in this normal align??? maybe aligning the local axis of each object to the normal of the edge / face (if thats possible) and then using the align tool?? in the mean time any further suggestions???

Attached Images

Screen02.jpg (86.2 KB, 9 views)

jvlive

Got what you mean. I tried normal align, and the closest i could think of is to normal align object1 to object2, then move its corner via vertex snap. see attached (I'm gettin a hang of this gif thing, but hard to meet the 19.5kb cap though, thus the size) . Meanwhile, hope someone could point out a one-command solution.

Hope that helped.

Attached Images

align-help.gif (18.4 KB, 6 views)

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