Horizontal
Line elements that are assigned a Horizontal constraint will be adjusted as necessary at solve time to become horizontal. If Solve cannot make this adjustment due to other constraints on the part, the solve fails. A horizontal constraint will not prevent a linear element from moving or changing length in the variation; it only adjusts the slope of that element to be zero.
To assign Horizontal constraints:
1. In the Generate Constraints dialog box, click the Assign radio button. Then pull down the Type selection list and select Horizontal.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the linear element to be constrained.
4. Click End or assign the next constraint.
The horizontal icon (see
Constraint Icons) identifies horizontally constrained lines.
A given element may have only one of the Horizontal, Vertical, or Slope constraints assigned to it. If you attempt to assign a Horizontal constraint to an element that is already assigned a Vertical constraint, the Horizontal constraint will replace it.
The action taken when you assign a Horizontal constraint to an element that is already assigned a Slope constraint depends on whether or not the Slope constraint is parameterized. If it is not, then the Horizontal constraint simply replaces it. If the Slope constraint is parameterized, however, the Horizontal constraint is not assigned. Instead, the value of the parameter is adjusted to 0° or 180° (effectively horizontal). This is done so as not to invalidate any expressions that may reference the existing slope parameter.