Helps you move, place, or modify objects with precision by displaying coordinate data at the pointer. Precision Input provides coordinate input to commands as you place objects.
When you turn on Precision Input, the Precision Input ribbon displays coordinates relative to a target position you set. You can reset the target position at any time. You can use Precision Input while other commands are running.
How Precision Input Works
Precision Input provides coordinate input to commands as you place objects in the model. The coordinates are relative to a target point that you can position anywhere in a view. You can change the location of the target point at any time by clicking Reposition Target on the ribbon.
As you move the pointer around, the software displays the distances between the pointer position and the target point. Also, these values appear on the Precision Input ribbon.
Middle click to lock the position to a point, curve, or surface. Middle click again to unlock the position.
Precision Input Options
SmartSketch Options
Shows relationships between two objects in the model.
Intersection
Displays when you move the pointer over points where two or more objects overlap.
Key point
Displays when you move the pointer over the end of an element to which you can attach other elements.
Nozzle or other port point
Displays when you move the pointer over an equipment nozzle or other port. Press F2 to toggle this option on and off.
Center point
Displays when you move the pointer over the center of a circle or arc.
Divisor point
Displays when you move the pointer to the points where a line divides equally for the number of divisions that you set. A drop down list lets you choose from 2 to 10 divisions for the line. For example, if you select 4 for the number of divisions, you get a divisor point at ¼, ½, and ¾ of the length.
Edges on solids
Displays when you move the pointer over the edge of a solid object.
Point on curve
Displays when you move the pointer over any connection point on an object, such as a nozzle on a piece of equipment.
Point on surface
Displays when you move the pointer over any location point on a surface object, such as a slab. Press F3 to toggle the option on and off.
Coordinate axis aligned
Displays when you move the pointer so that the object that you are placing is aligned with either the E-, N-, EL-axis (X-, Y-, Z-axis) of the active coordinate system. For example, if you are routing a pipe that moves parallel to the E-axis (X-axis), this indicator appears.
Silhouette edges
Displays when you move the pointer over the silhouette edges of surfaces. The silhouette edges are the outside edges of the surface with respect to your view.
Perpendicular
Displays when you move the pointer so that a perpendicular relationship between two objects is recognized. For instance, when you connect two pipes at a 90 degree angle, this indicator appears.
Parallel
Displays when you place an object parallel to another object in your workspace. When this indicator appears, the software highlights the parallel objects. For example, if you add a section of pipe that runs parallel to another piece of pipe anywhere in your workspace, this indicator appears, and both objects are highlighted.
Offset
Displays when you move the pointer to a location that is the specified offset from a selected element or line. Offset also displays Offset from surface. You must define a projection plane to use Offset.
Offset from surface - Displays when you point to the location of a line that is offset from the intersection of your selected projection plane with a surface that is in the SmartSketch locate list. For example, if you are locating the end of a pipe, the indicator appears along the line that is offset from the intersection of the projection plane with the web plane.
The offset line is often easiest to locate if your view direction is perpendicular to the projection plane.
Offset Value Keyin
Specifies the distance between an object and the offset point.
Disable All
Hides all SmartSketch relationships in the model.
Enable All
Shows all SmartSketch relationships in the model.
PinPoint / Point Along
Indicates how Smart 3Dx determines the location.
PinPoint - Places points in 3D space.
Point Along - Forces points to those coincident with the selected object or axis.
Active Coordinate System
Specifies the global or active coordinate system. The active coordinate system name displays in the box. Recently used coordinate systems that are appropriate to assign as the active coordinate system, the Global coordinate system, Select from Workspace, and Select from Model options display in the list. The most recently used coordinate system displays at the top. All View Cube manipulations respect this coordinate system.
Select Interactively
Turns on or off the interactive selection. When this option is on, you can select the coordinate system in a graphic view or any of the explorers.
Select from Workspace
Displays the Coordinate System Dialog with the Workspace tab open. The workspace is the subset of the active model database you specified when you started your design session. Navigate the hierarchy to select the parent system, and then click OK.
Select from Model
Displays the Coordinate System Dialog with the Model tab open. The model is all of the objects in the active model database, including those that are not part of your workspace. Navigate the hierarchy to select the parent system, and then click OK.
Set Point Along Reference Object
Sets the point along a reference object that you select. You can select the reference object from the Graphic view or one of the Hierarchy explorers. This option is only available for Point Along.
Display On/Off
Displays or hides the Precision Input options and distance values. The shortcut key for this option is F9.
Reposition Target
Changes the location of the target point. The coordinates are relative to the previous position of the target. Also, you can reposition the target by pressing F12.
Set Target to Origin
Moves the target to the origin of the current coordinate system.
If a different coordinate system is selected in the Coordinate System box, you must click Set Target to Origin to reset the ribbon values.
Relative Tracking
Moves the target to the last location you clicked. When Relative Tracking is on, the target follows your cursor as you click. When this mode is off, the target remains locked in the same location until repositioned.
Measure Along
Specifies how distances are measured for Point Along. You can specify a distance along the selected object, or along one of the global axes.
Coordinate System Type
Specifies the type of coordinate system (Rectangular , Spherical , or Cylindrical ) you are using. The value that you select controls the distance option that Smart 3Dx provides in Precision Input.
Step
Specifies the incremental distance along the Precision Input coordinate axes. As you use Precision Input, your cursor snaps to locations corresponding to the step value. You can select a value from the list, or you can type your own value.
Distance Options
The distance options that Smart 3Dx provides depend upon the value in the Coordinate System Type box. You can Lock or Unlock any of the distance values.
Rectangular
X (F6)
Specifies the distance along the X-axis (East) of the active coordinate system between the target point and the current location of your cursor. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F6.
Y (F7)
Specifies the distance along the Y-axis (North) of the active coordinate system between the target point and the current location of your cursor. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F7.
Z (F8)
Specifies the distance along the Z-axis (Elevation) of the active coordinate system between the target point and the current location of your cursor. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F8.
Cylindrical
Radius (F6)
Specifies the radius of the cylinder. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F6.
Theta (F7)
Specifies the horizontal angle, measured clockwise from North. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F7.
Height (F8)
Specifies the height of the cylinder. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F8.
Spherical
Distance (F6)
Specifies the distance between the target and the cursor location. The shortcut to lock or unlock this box is F6.
Horizontal (F7)
Specifies the horizontal angle, which is measured clockwise from the Y-axis (North). this angle is in the horizontal plane. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F7.
Vertical (F8)
Specifies the vertical angle, which is measured counter clockwise from the horizontal plane. The shortcut key to lock or unlock this box is F8.