Collinear Relation
The Collinear relation puts two or more lines on the same infinite line, so they stay lined up end to end even when there is a gap between them.
When to Use It
- Keep the two halves of a divided edge in line
- Line up several slots along one straight run
- Tie a line to the line of a part edge
Step by Step
- Open a sketch and draw the pieces (see Lines, Circles and Rectangles). Sketching is part of modeling, which comes with the Pro plans.
- Click Select on the Sketch tab (or press S).
- Click the first line, then click each line that should line up with it.
- Keep the pointer still for about half a second. A bar titled Add a relation to the N selected opens beside it, with one button for each relation that fits. Click Collinear. Instead of waiting for the bar, you can right-click the selection and choose Collinear under Make them, or click Collinear under Add a relation in the Properties panel.
- A small green square marks the relation on the sketch, and a message says Collinear added. It stays true as you move and resize; Edit, Constraints lists it. Ctrl+Z takes it back.
Options
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Picks | Two or more lines. A part edge can be one of them. |
| Result | The lines after the first turn and slide until they lie on the first line's line. |
| Which one gives | The held piece stays and the other moves (see The Anchor Rule on the Relations page). |
| Listed as | Collinear. |
Tips
- Collinear does not make the lines touch. Use Coincident Relation too if the ends should meet.
- Two lines that are only parallel stay side by side. Use Parallel Relation for that.
- A line you draw with two points (or one press and drag) is a single line. A chain drawn with more clicks, a rectangle and a polygon are each one piece, so line relations are not offered for them as a whole. Right-click and choose Break apart to get single lines (see Select).
If Something Goes Wrong
- "Collinear cannot hold together with the relations already there. Nothing changed." Something already placed (another relation, a typed size or a Fix) fights this one. Delete the one in the way from the list under Edit (see Edit Menu) and try again.
- "Collinear already holds through the relations you have, so nothing was added." The sketch already forces this, so nothing more is needed.
- The button is not in the bar. The bar only lists relations that fit what you picked. Check what is selected in the Selected list of the Properties panel. If the panel says None fits this selection. Pick another point, piece or part edge with it., change the picks.
- "Collinear applied once: the relation solver could not load, so it will not be kept." The piece moved once but nothing was stored. Check your connection and add it again.