Understanding and using the "Normal To" Command to Create and Manipulate a Model Orientation

Most users are utilizing the "Normal To" command during their design process and have a fundamental understanding of how it can be used. It usually involves viewing normally to a single planar face of a reference plane. This article will illustrate on more advanced uses of this function to create the desired model orientations efficiently.

• Use the "Normal To" command twice to flip the view 180 degrees after initially adjusting the view normal to a reference face the first time around. The default keyboard short cut for "Normal To" is CTRL + 8.
  
  
  

• By pre-selecting a feature created by a single sketch, you can use the "Normal To" command to view normal to that sketch.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Similarly, you can pre-select a cylindrical or conical face and use the "Normal To" command to view along the axis of the face.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• You may find that the "Normal To" command still may not provide you with the model orientation you need. In the example below, we want to ensure that the model is oriented to display the decal upright while viewing normal to the highlighted face.
  
  
  
  To further control the orientation, first select the face dictating which plane to view normal to. Then, press CTRL and select the second face you wish to face upwards in the graphics area.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

If you have any questions on this matter, please reach out to Hawk Ridge Systems Technical Support at support@hawkridgesys.com,877-266-4469  (US), or 866-587-6803  (CAN).