Shape Features

The Shape options give you access to options allowing you to manipulate shape features.

The Shape Delete option allows you to delete a shape feature from the current model.  The option will also delete the points that were used to construct that shape.  The Shape Remove option also allows you to delete a shape feature from the current model.  With this option, however, the points used to construct the shape are left in the model but will be given no code.

The Shape Recode option allows you to recode a shape feature.  Note that you must use a code prefix whose shape element uses the same number of points as the indicated shape.

The Shape Copy option can be used to copy the points that are used to construct a shape feature in any of the backcloth models into the current model.  This has the effect of copying the shape feature itself.

The Shape More option generates a pop-up menu giving you further shape feature options.

The Modify Reverse option allows you to reverse the order of the points in a multi-point shape feature.   For instance, if you have a shape feature which is surveyed along one edge and the points have been surveyed in the wrong direction, the shape will be displayed on the wrong side.  You can use this option to correct that.  Simply indicate the shape feature and it will be redrawn to reflect the change in point order.

Before Shape Reverse	After Shape Reverse

The Modify Commit option allows you to commit any shape feature to the dedicated CAD backcloth of a model.  After you have indicated a shape, a CAD copy of it will be created.

The Modify Punch option allows you to gap line features using a shape so that the line features are not drawn inside a shape feature.  The option can also be used to extend line features back the point at which they crossed the shape.  After you have indicated the shape feature, you will be asked to indicate the line features that need to be adjusted.

Rectangular Shapes

The Rectangle options allow you to change the construction of some rectangle shapes.

The Rectangle Width option allows to you change width of a rectangular shape feature that is generated by two points and a width.  Indicate the rectangle and you will be asked to enter a new width.  If an error sounds, you have not indicated the correct type of rectangle.

The Rectangle Shuffle option allows you to change the order of the points in a 3-point rectangle feature by taking the first point of the three and making it the last.  Therefore, the order in which the points are used to generate the rectangle would change from 123 to 231.  A second shuffle will change the point order from 231 to 312.  A third shuffle would then return the points to the original order.  The example below shows a rectangle shape feature that has been shuffled twice.

Circular Shapes

The Circle options allow you to change the basic parameters of 1-point circular shape features.  The Circle Radius option allows you to change the radius of a circle generated from a point and a radius dimension.  Indicate the circle and you will be asked to enter a new radius.  If an error beep sounds, you have not indicated the correct type of circle.

Similarly, the Circle Diameter and Circle Circumference options allow you to change the diameter of a 1-point diameter circle shape feature or the circumference of a 1-point circumference circle shape feature, respectively.

Triangular Shapes

The Triangle Height option allows you to change the height of a triangle shape feature generated from two points and a height dimension.  Indicate the triangle and you will be asked to enter a new height.  If an error sounds, you have not indicated the correct type of triangle.

Centring Shape Text

The Text Centre option allows you to reposition text generated with a shape feature so that it is centred over the shape.  It is assumed that text will only be generated with the first point used to create the shape and that the point will be moved.  If the shape is a circle, the text will be placed over the centre point with no angle.  If the shape is a rectangle, the text will also be aligned to the direction of the rectangle.