The Direction 3D CoPilot is used throughout Creo Elements/Direct 3D Access to define a direction. When the Direction 3D CoPilot is active, the cursor changes shape.
Follow the directions in the Prompt Bar to use the Direction 3D CoPilot.
1. Hover over an element. An arrow is displayed for the direction to be derived from that element. For example, when hovering over an edge, the arrow is displayed at the edge tangent direction. Press the Tab key to flip the direction.
2. For some geometric shapes, more than two directions are possible. For example, on a circular edge the arrow appears on the axis first. To flip the direction, press the Tab key. To determine the edge tangent direction, press the Tab key again. Move the mouse and the arrow slides along the edge. The arrow can be positioned at any point, including the end vertices.
3. Click once to apply the direction of the arrow. On curved elements or workplanes, click twice to apply a direction.
Right-click to access the context menu:
• Apply – Apply the direction displayed by the feedback arrow.
• Apply Reverse - Apply the reverse direction. Use this menu option or press the Tab key to reverse the direction.
• Two Points - Define a direction by picking two points.
• XYZ System – Select one of the global coordinate system axes, including the reverse axes.
• WP System – Select one axis of the reference workplane. By default the current workplane is the reference workplane. Select another reference workplane with the menu item Ref Wp.
• Vp Dir - The current viewport direction is used.
• -Vp Dir - The negative viewport direction is used.
• Axis Direction - The axis direction is used for each element that has an axis. If Axis Direction is turned off, the face normal or edge tangent is used.
See below for a description on how to define a direction on an element using the Direction 3D CoPilot.
Vertex
1. Click a vertex to select a start point.
2. Click an end point. The direction is applied.
Straight edge
The default direction is tangent to the edge.
1. Hover over an edge. Press Tab to reverse the direction.
2. Click a point on an edge. The direction is applied.
Circular edge/arc
The default direction is the axis.
1. Hover over a point on an edge.
◦ Press Tab to reverse the axis.
◦ Press Tab a second time to use the edge tangent.
◦ Press Tab a third time to reverse the edge tangent.
2. Click the edge. The direction is applied.
Curved edge
1. Click a point on an edge. The edge is selected.
2. Move the arrow to the desired point on the edge. Press Tab to reverse the direction.
3. Click to apply the direction. The direction is applied.
Planar face
The default direction is face normal.
1. Hover over a face. Press Tab to reverse the direction.
2. Click a point on the face. The face normal direction is applied.
Face with axis
The default direction is the axis.
1. Hover over a face.
◦ Press Tab to reverse the axis.
◦ Press Tab a second time to use the face normal.
◦ Press Tab a third time to reverse the face normal.
2. Click a point. The direction is applied.
Curved face
Determine the direction of a face at a point within the face or at a point on its edge boundaries.
1. Click a face. The face turns orange.
2. Click a point on the face or on its boundary. Press Tab to reverse the direction. The direction is applied.
Workplane frame
1. Hover over a workplane. The Direction 3D CoPilot appears.
2. Click on the workplane to position the CoPilot. Hover over an axis. The axis turns yellow. Press Tab to reverse the direction.
3. Click one of the axes to specify a direction. The direction is applied.
Direction 3D CoPilot quick reference guide
Use the table below to define a direction for an element with the Direction 3D CoPilot:
Element
Default Direction
First Click
Second Click
First Tab
Second Tab
Third Tab
Vertex
N/A
Selects a start point.
Catches to the end point. The direction between the two points is applied.
N/A
N/A
N/A
Straight edge
Edge tangent
Applies the direction.
N/A
Reverse
N/A
N/A
Circular edge/arc
Axis
Applies direction.
N/A
Reverse axis
Use the edge tangent.
Reverse the edge tangent.
Curved edge – determine the exact direction of the edge at any point
N/A
Selects the edge. Move the arrow to the desired point on the edge.
Applies the direction.
Reverse
N/A
N/A
Planar face
Face normal
Applies the face normal direction.
N/A
Reverse
N/A
N/A
Face with axis
Axis
Applies the direction.
N/A
Reverse axis
Use face normal.
Reverse face normal.
Curved face – determine the direction of a face at its edge boundaries or at any point within the face.
N/A
Click a face. Position the CoPilot on an edge boundary.
Applies the direction.
Reverse
N/A
N/A
Workplane frame
Positions the CoPilot. Pick one of the axes to specify a direction.
