How do I move a small group of objects into position?

[Mark Taylor]

Hello, dear Vectorworks geniuses!

Ok, I have drawn an as-built shed with attached deck. I would merely like to choose a point, drag the group by that point and snap it to a vertex of a triangle. After that, I would like to rotate the group by dragging to a vertex of another triangle.

Totally easy, right? However, I can't figure it out.

Thanks!

[PVA - Admin]

The easiest way is normally to place a locus at that point, then select that locus along with the rest of the objects and use Modify > Group, then you can use that locus as a snap point for dragging and all the objects can then be rotated at the same time, alignment controlled by the Rotate tool.

[Benson Shaw]

Also try the Move by Points tool, set it to 0 copies. This is often easier than dragging.

-B

[atari2600]

Mark,

I'm afraid I don't fully understand what you are attempting to do. Is the issue with what angle to rotate the group at, since you are wanting to "align" the rotation with another triangle?

A picture could help.

(If I "think" I understand you, one thing you could do is drag a copy of the triangle (with the correct rotation angle) on top of the rotation center point of the group. That way you have it as a graphical snap reference. Then delete it when you are done.)

but again, I feel like I might be adding to your confusion.

Matt

[Mark Taylor]

Ok, thanks for the locus point understanding. I was able to drop a locus at my drag point and then drag the group by that locus to a snap point of my choice.

However, there has to be a better way to rotate things. I would like to use the locus point as the center of rotation, then use a rotate tool (that should exist somewhere) to choose another snap point or locus point and then drag that point to any other point of my choice and let go.

In a most basic example: 2 random points, and a line segment which is longer than the space between the two points. I would like select, drag, and snap one end of the line without rescaling the line (locus seems to work for this). Then, I would like to choose the other end of the line in a some rotate mode and snap that point to the other random point, also without rescaling the line.

Is that possibile?

[PVA - Admin]

The Rotate tool is in the basic palette, it lets you set the first point as the point of rotation, which is probably what you are looking for.

The Rotate tool wont scale the line like the reshape tool does.

[Mark Taylor]

That's exactly it. Thanks!