Edit Bar controls: Interactive, Offset Amount, Leave Original.
This tool is used to transform line entities or arcs by bending them in a certain direction or modifying the curvature of arcs. The entity does not have to be selected before you use the tool.
If you wish to keep the original entity, ensure that Leave Original is switched on.
First of all identify the entity to bend.
NOTE: This tool cannot be used to modify Bezier curves.
If you pick close to one end of the entity, this end can be moved while the other end remains fixed.
If you pick close to the middle of the entity, the midpoint can be moved while both ends remain fixed.
Pick a new location for the entity end point or midpoint.
When picking the point, if Leave Original is switched off, you can hold the Shift key down to override this setting.
Switch off Interactive mode to enable you to enter a specified distance into Offset Amount. Then the point you pick determines only the direction in which to offset. The Offset Amount either specifies the distance between the new arc midpoint and a line drawn between the start and end points of the original entity or the distance between the new and old arc endpoints. You can also use the Nudge keys to adjust the offset amount interactively.
If you want to place the endpoint or midpoint freehand, then switch on Interactive mode.
Constraint Manager
If you have the Constraint Manager active whilst using this tool you will experience the following differences:
- Any constraints and dimensions are copied from the original line or arc to the new arc, if they are still satisfied
- In Interactive mode the tool infers for equal radius and/or tangent constraints unless the Control modifier is used
- If bending from the end then the tool infers for an equal radius with any previous bends and it infers for tangents with any entities it is coincident with at the end - a coincident constraint is added if the end of the new arc is coincident with another entity; also equal radius and tangent constraints are added if they are currently inferred
- If bending from the middle then the tool infers for an equal radius with any previous bends and it infers for tangents with any entities that it has a coincident constraint with at either end - a coincident constraint is added if the mid-point of the new arc is coincident with another entity; also equal radius and tangent constraints are added if they are currently inferred
- If Leave Original is enabled then a coincident constraint and a tangent constraint is added between the new arc and the original line or arc
- In Non-interactive mode new constraints and dimensions are not added except when Leave Original is enabled, in which case a coincident constraint and a tangent constraint is added added between the new arc and the original line or arc