Horizontal Relation
The Horizontal relation keeps a line level, running straight across the screen. Use it so a line stays level however you drag or resize the sketch.
When to Use It
- Square up a line you drew a little crooked
- Keep a line level while the rest of the sketch changes
- Take a step toward a fully defined sketch (see Relations)
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 a line. Each click adds one, so you can pick several lines and make them all level at once.
- 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 Horizontal. Instead of waiting for the bar, you can right-click the selection and choose Horizontal under Make them, or click Horizontal under Add a relation in the Properties panel.
- A small green square marks the relation on the sketch, and a message says Horizontal added. It stays true as you move and resize; Edit, Constraints lists it. Ctrl+Z takes it back.
Options
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Picks | One or more lines. A part edge is not offered Horizontal, because a part edge never turns. |
| Result | Each picked line turns until it runs level, as the screen shows the sketch (not along the sketch plane's first axis). |
| Several lines | Every line is made level. They are not tied to each other, only to the screen. |
| Listed as | Horizontal, in the lists under Edit and in the Properties panel. |
| Automatic | With Add relations while drawing on (under Edit), a line drawn within about 2 degrees of level is made exactly level, and a rectangle drawn square to the screen keeps its sides level and upright. |
Tips
- To make two lines run the same way without caring which way, use Parallel Relation instead.
- To line up two points at the same height rather than a whole line, use Horizontal Points Relation.
- A level line can still slide up and down or change length. Add a size or a Fix / Unfix Relation to pin it.
- 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).
- To remove it, click the relation's green square and press Delete, or click the x beside it in the Properties panel or the Edit list.
If Something Goes Wrong
- "Horizontal 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.
- "Horizontal 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.
- "Horizontal 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.