8

Protractor Helper 25
World Space Angles group
To X/Y/Z Axis—Displaystheangleofthetapeobject
relative to each axis in world space.
To X Y /YZ/ZX Pla ne—Displays the angle of the tape
object relative to each of these home planes.
Pr otr a ctor Hel per
Create panel > Helpers > Standard > Object Type rollout
> Protractor
Createmenu>Helpers>Protractor
Protractor measures the angle between a point and
any two objects in your scene.
The names of the two objects appear above their
respective buttons, and the angle formed at the
protractor object between the pivot points of the
two objects is displayed in the Angle field. Lines
are draw n between the protractor and the two
selected objects.
Note: The line to the first selected object uses the
Target Line color, and the line for the second
selected object uses the color of the protractor.
The Target Line color is set with Customize User
Interface dialog >
Colors panel (page 3–843) >
Elements drop-down list > Gizmos group. The
Protractor color is set by choosing the Tape Object
in Customize User Interface dialog >
Colors panel
(page 3–843)
>Elementsdrop-downlist>Objects
group.
You can reselect the protractor at any time, enter
the
Modif y panel (page 3–801) , and pick new
objects to measure. You can move either of the two
objects or the protractor itself to change the angle.
Note: If you need to watch the Angle readout
while moving either of t he objects, first select the
protractor,thenclickthePinStackbuttononthe
Modify panel. You c an now select and move the
other objects while the stack remains pinned to
display the protractor angle.
Procedure
To use the protractor:
1.
After selecting Protractor in the Create panel >
Helpers sect ion, click in the v iewp ort to place
and create the protractor icon. You can also
drag to move it before releasing the mouse
button.
2. Click the Pick Object 1 button, and t hen select
one of the objects in the scene.
The name of the selected object appears above
the button.
3. ClickPickObject2,andthenselectasecond
object in the scene.
The Angle parameter shows the angle formed
by lines from the protractor object to the two
picked objects.
Interfa ce
Parameters rollout
Pick Object 1—Click this and select the first of the
two objects whose ang le you want to measure.
Pick Object 2—Click this and select the second of
thetwoobjectswhoseangleyouwanttomeasure.
Angle—Displays the angle formed by the lines
from the protractor to the two objects.