Modify Element

Used to modify elements by changing their shape.

You can access this tool from the following:

Ribbon: Drawing > Home > Modify
Toolbox: Modify

With this tool, you can do the following:

Move a vertex or segment of a line, line string, multi-line, curve, B-spline control polygon, shape, complex chain, or complex shape.
Scale a block about the opposite vertex.
Modify rounded segments of complex chains and complex shapes created with the Place SmartLine tool while preserving their tangency.
Change rounded segments of complex chains and complex shapes to sharp and vice-versa.
Scale a circular arc while maintaining its sweep angle.
Change a circle's radius or the length of one axis of an ellipse.
Move dimension text or modify the extension line length of a dimension element.

Elements with multiple segments are line strings, shapes, and complex chains and complex shapes placed with the Place SmartLine tool. The Modify Element tool not only lets you modify vertices and segments, but also lets you change a vertex's type (Sharp, Rounded, or Chamfered).

Settings for the Modify Element tool vary, depending on the type of element you are modifying, and display when you select a segment or a vertex of the element.

Setting	Description
Vertex Type	(Vertex selected only) Displays the type of vertex selected and lets you modify the vertex type. Sharp — Sets the vertex to a point. Rounded — Sets the vertex to rounded and lets you define the Rounding Radius value. Chamfered — Sets the vertex to chamfered and lets you define the Chamfer Offset value.
Radius	(Vertex Type set to Rounded) Sets the arc radius for a rounded vertex.
Offset	(Vertex Type set to Chamfered) Sets the two (equal) distances from the vertex to the end points of the chamfer.
Orthogonal	(Vertex of an orthogonal shape selected only). If on, the sides adjoining the vertex remain orthogonal as the vertex is moved. If off, the sides adjoining the vertex do not remain orthogonal as the vertex is moved.
Method	(Element selected is an arc) Lets you modify the arc based on following methods: Angle - Allows you to change the angle of the arc. Radius about Center - Allows you to change the radius of the arc with the center fixed. Radius preserve Ends - Allows you to modify the arc radius with the ends fixed. Move Entire Arc - This option is available when the selected arc is part of a complex chain. Allows you to move the arc while adjusting the elements attached to it accordingly.
Show Extended Settings	Displays the controls for defining how SmartLine elements are modified with the Modify Element tool.
Enable SmartLine modifications	If on (the default), modifications to vertices and segments of SmartLines take into account the adjoining elements. For example, lines that are tangential to a rounded vertex, remain tangential. If off, vertices and segments of SmartLines are modified individually. Note: Turning off this setting disables the remaining settings as they apply only to SmartLine style modifications.
Enable segment selection	If on (the default), segments of SmartLines may be selected, as well as the vertices. If off, only vertices may be modified.
Minimize number of linear elements	If on, attempts to reduce the number of component elements in a complex chain or shape. For example, a number of individual lines that have been chained together, may be converted to a line string. If off, does not attempt to reduce the number of component elements in a complex chain or shape.
Convert selected round or chamfer to segment	If on, when a rounded or chamfered vertex is selected, it is converted to a segment (arc or linear segment) so that it can be modified as such. This applies only to the selected round or chamfer, not to the whole chain or shape. After modification, the component will not be treated as a round or chamfer again.
Vertex Settings	Defines the type of vertex to use. From Element — Uses the element's own settings. Last Used — Uses the type of vertex that was last used when modifying a SmartLine element. Note: Use this setting to set the vertex being modified to sharp, rounded, or chamfered, along with its radius or chamfer offset. This can be convenient when changing the type or size of many vertices, eliminating having to enter values for each vertex.

Key-in: MODIFY ELEMENT

Tip: You can modify a line, line string, multi-line, arc, circle, ellipse, curve, shape, text, or complex element by dragging its handles when selected.

Note: To choose SmartLine Modification Settings, click the arrow in the bottom right corner of the tool settings window.

Note: Arc axes cannot be modified with the Modify Element tool. Instead, use the Modify Arc Axis tool.

To Modify an Element

To Modify the Endpoint of a Line

To Modify a Circle

To Modify an Ellipse

To Modify the Sweep Angle of an Arc

To Modify the Radius of an Arc Without Changing Its Center Point

To Modify the Radius of an Arc Without Changing Its Endpoints

To Modify a Vertex of a Multi-Segment Element

To Modify a Linear Segment of a Multi-Segment Element

To Modify an Arc Segment of a Multi-Segment Element

To Move a Linear Segment Parallel to Itself

To Modify the Vertex of Orthogonal Segments

To Change a Vertex Type

Parent topic: Modify Toolbox