Freehand Manipulation Tool

The Freehand manipulation tool works on a selected object allowing the user to drag and rotate the object for macro adjustments. The user can select the combined mode, or individual translate and rotate modes from the dropdown list.

Note: It may be more convenient to move the Freehand manipulation tool to a more strategic position while performing transformations on an object. To do so, click the icon to set the centre of rotation on the view window toolbar, then left click at the new desired point in the view window to relocate the Freehand manipulation tool.

Freehand Transform tool can be found in the Home ribbon tab and navigating to the Manipulation group and also in the Position and Filter ribbon tab in the Transform group of tools.

Freehand Translate and Rotate

Combined freehand and translate mode - an object can be translated and rotated in a combination of the individual modes described below.

Freehand Translate

Freehand translate only mode: an object can be dragged along an axis (X,Y,Z) or a plane corresponding to two axes (XY,XZ,YZ).
Freehand translate along axis: translation of an object is possible when selecting an arrow with the middle mouse button. The arrows correspond to the X, Y and Z directions, with the distance dragged in the chosen direction displayed onscreen.

Example - displays translate in combined mode.

Freehand planar translate: translation restricted to a particular XY, XZ or YZ plane is possible when selecting one of the yellow squares with the middle mouse button. The components of the distance dragged are displayed on screen.

Example - displays planar translate in combined mode.

Freehand Rotate

Freehand rotate only mode: an object can be rotated about any of the axes (X,Y,Z).
Rotation of an object is possible when selecting a coloured ring with the middle mouse button. The rings correspond to rotation around the X, Y and Z directions, with the angle dragged in the chosen direction displayed on screen.

Example - displays rotate in combined mode.