Choosing the Movement Mode

When drawing objects, the cursor's location is always relative to a reference point. The reference point is displayed with a mini xyz-axis when you click a drawing command:

To change the reference point, move the cursor to the desired point and Ctrl+click the point.

When creating 1D, 2D, or 3D geometry graphically (that is, by clicking points instead of by defining coordinates numerically), points that you can select are dependent on the current Movement Mode setting. You can move the cursor and place a point at one of the following locations:

• In the same plane as the reference point (In Plane movement mode)
• Perpendicular to the reference point (Out of Plane movement mode)
• If an object is present, you can snap to one of its points – any snapable point in 3D space (3D movement mode).
• Along the X-axis of the working coordinate system (CS)
• Along the Y-axis of the working CS
• Along the Z-axis of the working CS

Drawing commands that you choose may temporarily override the current movement mode. For example, when you draw a box or cylinder, the first two points you click (defining the base) may be in the drawing plane, but the third (defining the height) must be out of plane relative to the base. In this case, you do not have to manually change the movement mode; it is automatically overridden for the third click.