Edit Elevation value while Stretching

[Anonymous]

ok - despite reading and trying, I can't find an answer or figure it out.

I have a sloped object - we'll say a rafter. When I stretch the object from the high side (at the ridge) towards the low side (the wall) it works fine.

When I stretch the object from the low side (the wall) towards the high side (the ridge), I need the elevation to change to follow the incline. Currently, it adjusts the length, but leaves the 'base' elevation at the wall height. This just makes me have to drag each one of them up to the ridge point.

I have attached an image giving an idea of what happens and what I want. I can provide further clarification if no one gets it.

I am learning GDL and I figured that the adjustment to the object would have to be done with the code, but I can't figure it out. Any help from yall would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

You need to make the local origin within the part to be at the ridge pole. This means coding the part to generate relative to that point, so that it is created largely in the -Z direction.

If you haven't already, you should experiment with all the transformational statements (addx, roty, mulz, add2, etc.) in the GDL. Along with the basic forms (Block, Prism_, Cylind, Poly2, etc...) they are the most fundamental part of GDL.

[Anonymous]

oh - Thats not really good news for me. So if the object already exists, I can't just set a flag to make the base point at the ridge, middle or bottom? Gee - that would sure be easy.

So if I set a flag and the "top" is chosen, then I would have to fully regenerate the object from the top down? hmmm... There must be an easier way. Anyone else want to take a shot at it?

In the mean time, I'll see what I can do with the transformational statments.

[Anonymous]

sirduncan wrote:
oh - Thats not really good news for me. So if the object already exists, I can't just set a flag to make the base point at the ridge, middle or bottom?

Sure you can. It just takes a few lines of code in the GDL. It does mean moving any parts already placed that are not consistent with the new settings. What you want is not hard, but you should definitely get to know GDL a little better.

[Vitruvius]

You might also want to open the Selection Settings for the symbol and check out the 2D symbol for hotspots.

Highlight the lower end hotspot to make that the symbol insertion point and try your luck.

Cheers