Aligning Objects

You can align objects using commands available in the Layout Tools toolbar.

Before you begin: Have a scenario open. You can align the center or the sides of an element to a reference plane that you define. You can also rotate an element to align it with a reference plane.

  1. Double-click the item (e.g., a tool) that you want to align.

    In the example, the tool needs to be aligned with the floor.



  2. On the Layout Tools toolbar, click the black arrow on Align Side .

    The Layout Tools/Align sub-toolbar appears.



    Depending on the workbench from which you access this command, you may not see all the commands shown on the Layout Tools/Align toolbar shown above.

  3. Select the icon for the type of alignment you want to perform:


    • Align Side : aligns one side of selected elements.

    • Align Center : aligns the centers of selected elements to the reference plane.

    • Rotate to Align : if elements are at different orientations, this command rotates and aligns them.

    • Align Two Planes : allows you to select any plane on an item. After you select the first plane to which the second plane will be aligned, you can only select a second plane that is parallel to the first.

    This scenario uses Align Side.

  4. Define the plane to use as a reference for alignment. If you have an offset plane already defined, it can be used as the reference plane. If you do not have the offset plane defined, do the following:

    1. Place your cursor over a geometric element that defines the plane (e.g., a construction plane, boundary, area, contour, item reservation, etc.). As you move the cursor, a small white rectangle is displayed to show the selectable planes. A line normal to the rectangle shows the direction in which the alignment will be performed.

      If you do not see the white rectangle, zoom out from the drawing. The white rectangle cannot be displayed if the element under your cursor is not displayed large enough.
    2. Click to select the plane. The selected elements are aligned along the plane.

  5. To cease aligning elements, click on any of the alignment command icons.

    To continue aligning with the same reference plane, select another element in the model and follow the steps above. As long as the white reference plane appears, you can continue aligning without re-selecting an alignment command.

If you selected Align Side or Rotate to Align, you can use various possible alignment solutions by clicking the element with the left mouse button:


  • If you selected Align Side, the aligned elements flip to the other side of the reference plane.
  • If you selected Rotate to Align, the aligned elements rotate in increments of 90 degrees.