8
Normal Align Dialog 451
Normal Align Dialog
Main toolbar > N o r mal Align > Normal Al ign dialog
Tools menu > N o rmal Align > Normal Align dialog
The Normal Alig n dialog, displayed by the
Normal
Align tool (page 1–450)
,enablesyoutoalignthe
normals (page 3–1074)
of two objects.
Procedure
To a lign normals:
1.
Select a source object. This is the object that
movesduringalignment.
2. Click Normal Align on the Main toolbar,
or choose Tools > Normal Align.
3. Dragacrossthesurfaceofthesourceobject.
The Normal Align cursor appears, attached to a
pair of cross hairs. A blue arrow at t he cursor
indicates the current normal.
4. Move the cursor and blue arrow until you locate
the normal you want to use, then release.
Thebluearrowremainsasreferencetothe
source normal.
5. Drag across the surface of the t arget object.
A green arrow at the cursor indicates the
current normal.
6. Move the cross hairs and green arrow until you
locate the normal you want to use as a target,
then release.
The source object moves into alignment with
the target normal, and the Normal Align dia log
appears.
7. Do one of the follow ing:
• Click OK to accept the alignment.
•Usingthedialog,makemodificationstothe
alignment before clicking OK.
• Click Cancel Align to cancel the alignment
procedure.
Interf ace
The Normal Align dialog lets you adjust or c ancel
the current alignment, and contains the follow ing
controls:
Position Offset group
Lets you tra nslate the source object perpendicular
to the normal on the X, Y or Z axes.
X/Y /Z—These three fields let you affect how much
of an offset will be given to the selected faces.
Rotation Offset group
Lets you rotate the source object about the
normal’s axis. You see the rotation in real time.
Angle—This field lets you define the angle for the
rotational offset.
Flip Normal—Determines whether the source
normal matches the target normal’s direc tion.
This defaults to off, since you u sually want the
two normals to have opposing directions. When
youturnthisonoroff,thesourceobjectflips180
degrees.