Rotate, move, mirror and bevel construction runs

This guide changes editable construction runs before generation. To turn finished objects using axis rings, an exact angle or a picked pivot, use the main toolbar’s Rotate tool.

Select the run to transform

Manual construction has separate Rotate, Mirror and Bevel tools in the left rail. Select a Construction runs row before editing. Tools affect that run and explicitly linked peers. Numeric X/Y/Z offsets under Move > Offsets for selected run remain independent; Free move and Snap move affect the editable run picked in the viewport.

Transform before placement

In Rotate, choose Individual members to rotate each member, or Whole frame to turn each run as one assembly. Whole frame includes closing rails and mirrored members. Its X/Y/Z angles use the model’s world axes. Choose Frame centre, Run start or Run end under Rotate around. The endpoint pivots follow the run’s position and numeric placement offsets; the measured guide itself stays in place.

Switching between the modes preserves the model and restores each mode’s own angles. After Whole frame has been used, Individual members turns each member about its centre while keeping the inclined layout. For example, with orientation Z and a run along X, frame angles X = 31.6° and Y = 90° create a stair layout; switch to Individual members and set Z = −31.6° to level the treads. Use an open row without closing rails for this example.

Before Whole frame is first used, individual rotation retains the original placement-anchor behaviour. Any angles already applied become the frame’s baseline, and subsequent member adjustments start at zero.

Reset rotation clears both modes’ angles and any earlier baseline rotation for the selected run and linked peers. It keeps dimensions, spacing, move offsets and pivot selection. Protected runs retain their saved rotations.

Hold Shift while dragging an X, Y or Z rotation slider to snap to 30°, 45°, 60° or 90°. Zero, negative angles and the corresponding angles up to 180° are included. This works for Individual members, Whole frame and saved trusses. Release Shift to resume smooth dragging; the number fields still accept exact angles.

In the Norwegian interface, these rotation choices are Enkeltdeler and Hele rammen, with Nullstill rotasjon to reset. The Move panel uses Fri flytting and Flytt til punkt consistently in buttons and help text.

Each run rotates around its own pivot. Uncheck Editable to protect the mode, pivot and angles with that run’s other settings. It does not join separate runs into one frame. Trims are made before whole-frame rotation, so cut ends rotate with the assembly rather than refitting to stationary supports. Whole-frame mode is available for Shape placement. Existing runs keep Individual members until you change the mode.

These tools adjust the run preview and the next generated batch. Every run uses its own settings; only explicitly linked runs share changes. Already generated objects keep their existing placement.

Set the profile, anchor and base Orientation first. Then apply one transform at a time, inspecting both an aligned view and an isometric view.

Rotate and move

Rotate turns the placed profile and its extrusion relative to the orientation established for the run. The profile’s local axes need not match the world axes after orientation and alignment. Start with a small change on one axis to confirm its effect.

Move applies numeric X/Y/Z offsets in the model axes to the placements. The measured reference stays in place, which is useful when a row must sit a known distance from its layout line.

To translate one current shape run by dragging or snapping its preview, use CC move. To relocate existing generated members, use Move Tool. Changing the CC preview does not update an earlier generated batch.

Extrude in either direction and extend the ends

The sign of Extrusion selects which side of the oriented profile the member extends toward. A negative value reverses that direction; changing the sign does not reverse the spacing run.

Extrusion offset can extend the start, the end or both ends. With a positive 2400 mm extrusion and enabled 100 mm start and 200 mm end extensions, the member spans from 100 mm behind the profile to 2600 mm beyond it, for a total length of 2700 mm before caps, bevels or trimming.

These extensions follow the extrusion direction. First offset and Last offset in Spacing instead adjust where the endpoint members sit along the measured run. Keep the two directions separate when building frames or arranging members around a reference line.

Mirror

Mirror placements adds reflected copies while retaining the original placements. The selected axis is perpendicular to the mirror plane: X reflects across a plane of constant X, Y across constant Y and Z across constant Z. Plane offset positions that plane in model coordinates; zero uses the corresponding origin plane.

For example, a placement at X = 100 mm reflected across the X plane at 500 mm has its mirrored counterpart at X = 900 mm. The whole geometry is reflected, so inspect an asymmetric profile or bevel to confirm handedness.

Frame caps are included when the shape assembly is mirrored. Mirroring can double the generated geometry and can overlap it when the original lies on the mirror plane. Check the reflected row and its end conditions before generating.

Bevel ends

Enable Bevel ends, choose Short edges or Long edges, select the leading and/or trailing side and set the angle. The controls include inversion and separate end settings. Inspect the resulting cut from both sides, especially after rotation or negative extrusion.

Bevel is a shape-placement control and is disabled for Saved Truss placement. When combining bevels with stopper planes, Trim to geometry or Close frame, verify the generated member lengths and joints as well as the preview.