Modifying SmartPart properties using dialog box and handles

Module(s): SmartParts

This tool is a combination of Modify SmartPart Properties using Dialog Box and Modify SmartPart using Handles. You can specify the SmartPart parameters in a dialog box and use the handles to change the SmartPart intuitively. To open this tool, double-click the SmartPart or select Properties on its shortcut menu.

To change the parameters of a SmartPart using the dialog box and handles

1. Double-click the SmartPart.

   or

   Click the SmartPart whose properties you want to change with the right mouse button and, on the shortcut menu, choose Properties.

   The SmartPart dialog box opens. In addition, all the handles of the SmartPart are highlighted in all views. You can specify the SmartPart parameters in a dialog box and use the handles to change the SmartPart intuitively.

2. Change the relevant parameters in the SmartPart dialog box and click Apply.

   The SmartPart is created with the new parameter values and displayed.

   or

3. Point to a handle.

   The names of the associated parameters are displayed.
   Arrows indicate the directions in which you can move the handle.

   

4. Click a handle and move it. A ToolTip shows the current value.

   

5. Click again to place the handle at a new position. All the handles are displayed again and you can modify another handle.
6. Clicking a handle while pressing the CTRL key opens the Value Entry dialog box, in which you can enter values directly at the keyboard.

   

7. Use the SHIFT key to select one of several congruent handles.

   

8. Click OK or press ESC.
9. The handles are hidden. All the changes you have made in the dialog box and by means of the handles are saved.

   If the current drawing file contains copies of the changed SmartPart, the program displays these copies in the selection color and asks whether you want to update these copies, too:
   Would you like to update identical SmartParts?

10. You have the following options:
    • Click Show identical ones to get a close-up view of all SmartParts that are identical.
    • Click Yes to apply the changes to all the copies.
    • Click No to leave the copies as they are; this creates a variant of the SmartPart.