Deskop platform icon iOS platform icon Android platform icon This functionality is available on Onshape's browser, iOS, and Android platforms.

Adjust a part's (and its Mate connector or axis, if desired) location and orientation in 3D space with the option to copy the part in place. When transforming a part, you also have the ability to select its Mate connector (inferred or existing), or axis, so the Mate connector stays with the part.

In the Feature toolbar:

Feature toolbar with Transform feature icon highlighted

Adjust a part's (and its Mate connector or axis, if desired) location and orientation in 3D space with the option to copy the part in place. When transforming a part, you also have the ability to select its Mate connector (inferred or existing) or axis, so the Mate connector stays with the part.

The Transform feature tool allows you to adjust one or more parts' location and orientation in 3D space, with the option to copy the part in place. When transforming a part, select its Mate connector so it stays with the part. Click the Transform feature tool on the toolbar. Select the parts to transform or copy. Note that you can transform in several different ways: By line, distance, XYZ axes, Mate connectors, rotation, copying in place, and scaling. For now, the default Translate by line is used. Next, click the Line or points field in the dialog, and select the line or points used as the basis for the transformation in the graphics area. If selecting a line, one line is required. If selecting a point, two points are required. Check Copy part to create copies of the selected parts. Then click the green checkmark to accept the transformation.

This video explores various transform options. Click the Transform feature tool on the toolbar. Select the part to transform or copy. Select Translate by distance. Select the direction, and then enter a distance in the dialog or use the arrow to specify a distance. Alternatively, select Translate by XYZ. The transform manipulator appears. Use the arrows in the graphics area, or enter translation values in the X, Y and Z axes. Select Transform by Mate connectors, and then select a from and to Mate connectors to transform the part. To rotate the part, select Rotate. Select an Axis and enter an angle in the dialog, or use the arrow to adjust the angle in the graphics area. Select Copy in place to create a copy of the part in the same place as the original. Finally, select Scale, then determine if you want to scale uniformly or not. Enter the scale value and then select a point or mate connector to scale about. Click the green checkmark to accept the transformation.

  1. Click Transform feature tool icon.

    Transform dialog

  2. Select a part (and its Mate connector or axis, if desired) to move.
  3. Select the method of moving the part (transform type):
    • Translate by line - Move the part along a selected line: such as a part edge.
    • Translate by distance - Move the part by a specified value and in a direction indicated by the selection of an entity or mate connector.
    • Translate by XYZ - Move the part along an axis by a specified value. Optionally, use the drag manipulator that appears to position the part along axis.
    • Transform by Mate connectors - Specify two Mate connectors (inferred or existing), or axis, by which to reorient the placement of the part. Use the directional arrows to flip the orientation:

      Example of clicking the directional arrows in the dialog to flip the orientation

    • Rotate - Move the part about an axis or Mate connector (inferred or existing) specified by selecting an entity.
    • Copy in place - Make a copy of the part at the same location; this creates a separate and independent part enabling you to:
      • Make changes to one part and use both to create different parts during a later operation.
      • Make a copy of a part prior to a series of operations enabling you to reference the original state for ancillary operations.
      • Create multiple copies of a part in order to create multiple variants.

      If you need to create multiple copies of a part at once, use the Pattern feature with a distance of 0 (zero).

    • Scale - Scale a part by a specific factor and select a point to scale about; selecting Scale presents a Scale Uniformly checkbox. Uncheck this box to specify your own scale for X, Y, and Z axes, and also select a point or Mate connector (inferred or existing) to scale about. Using a Mate connector (inferred or existing), or axis, to scale about changes the coordinate system to be relative to the Mate connector or axis.
    • Optionally, select Copy part to duplicate the part.
  4. Click Accept checkmark icon.

Before translate by line:

Example of entity before Translate by line is applied

After translating along the selected line specified by a part edge:

Example of entity after Translate by line is applied

Before translate by distance:

Example of entity before Translate by distance is applied

After translating by specifying a value and a direction:

Example of entity during Translate by distance Example of entity after Translate by distance

After translating along an axis by a specified distance with the copy part option checked:

Example of entities after Translate by XYZ is applied with copy part option checked

Before transform by Mate connectors or axis:

Example of entity before Transform by mate connectors in applied

After transform from one Mate connector to another:

Example of entity after Transform by mate connectors in applied

Before rotate:

Example of entity before Rotate feature is applied

After rotate:

Example of entity during Rotation Example of entity after Rotate feature is applied

The copy is placed exactly where the part is originally. Note that the Parts list reflects the new part and part count.

Example of Copy in place

Before scale uniformly:

Example of entity before Scale uniformly is applied

Example of entity before Scale uniformly is applied

After scale uniformly:

Example of entity after Scale uniformly is applied

Before scale:

Example of entity before Non-uniform scale is applied

After scale:

Example of entity after Non-uniform scale is applied

  1. Tap Transform.

    Transform feature tool icon

    Transform dialog

  2. Select entities to transform or copy.
  3. Select the Transform type (method of moving the entities):
    • Translate by line - Select an entity (such as a part edge)
    • Translate by distance - Select an entity to indicate direction and specify a value, or use the drag manipulator that appears.
    • Translate by XYZ - Specify axis values to move along, or use the drag manipulator that appears to position the part along the axis
    • Transform by mate connectors - Specify two mate connectors by which to reorient the placement of the part.
      • Flip primary axis arrow icon Flip the primary axis, Z orientation of the instances.
      • Reorient secondary axis icon Reorient the secondary axis; rotate the quadrant orientation (in the XY plane) by 90 degrees at a tap.
    • Rotate - Move the part about an axis specified by selecting an entity and specify the angle, or use the drag manipulator that appears. (When Rotate is selected, you can tap the Mate connector icon to select or create inferred mate connectors.)
    • Copy in place - Make a copy of the part at the same location; this creates a separate and independent part enabling you to:

      - Make changes to one part and use both to create different bodies during a later operation.

      - Make a copy of a part prior to a series of operations enabling you to reference the original state for ancillary operations.

      - Create multiple copies of a part in order to create multiple variants.

    If you need to create multiple copies of a part at once, use the Pattern feature with a distance of 0 (zero).

    • Scale uniformly - Scale a part by a specific factor and select a point to scale about; optionally copy the part.
  4. Optionally, toggle to switch to the opposite direction.
  5. Select lines or points.
  6. Optionally, toggle to copy part.
  7. Tap checkmark.

The part is translated by the sketch line above it, to a new location across the Right plane:

Example of Translate by line

The part is translated by distance. Specifically, it is translated 3.1215 inches from its original position. With Translate by distance, you can only translate in one direction at a time:

Example of Translate by distance

The part is translated from its original position in several directions at once:

Example of Translate by XYZ

Two parts are transformed to share the same Mate connector location:

Example of Translate by mate connectors, before being translated

Example of Translate by mate connectors, after being translated

The part is rotated 45 degrees from its original position:

Example of Rotate

Use copy in place to copy one or multiple parts in their exact location.

The part is scaled at 1.5 times its original size:

Example of a uniform scale

Before scale:

Example before a non-uniform scale

After scale:

Example after a non-uniform scale

  1. Tap Transform.

    Transform feature tool icon

    Transform dialog

  2. Select entities to transform or copy.
  3. Select the Transform type (method of moving the entities):
    • Translate by line - Select an entity (such as a part edge)
    • Translate by distance - Select an entity to indicate direction and specify a value, OR use the drag manipulator that appears.
    • Translate by XYZ - Specify axis values to move along, OR use the drag manipulator that appears to position the part along the axis
    • Transform by mate connectors - Specify two mate connectors by which to reorient the placement of the part.
      • Flip primary axis directional arrow icon Flip the primary axis, Z orientation of the instances.
      • Reorient secondary axis icon Reorient the secondary axis; rotate the quadrant orientation (in the XY plane) by 90 degrees at a tap.
    • Rotate - Move the part about an axis specified by selecting an entity and specify the angle, OR use the drag manipulator that appears.
    • Copy in place - Make a copy of the part at the same location; this creates a separate and independent part enabling you to:

      - Make changes to one part and use both to create different bodies during a later operation.

      - Make a copy of a part prior to a series of operations enabling you to reference the original state for ancillary operations.

      - Create multiple copies of a part in order to create multiple variants.

    If you need to create multiple copies of a part at once, use the Pattern feature with a distance of 0 (zero).

    • Scale uniformly - Scale a part by a specific factor and select a point to scale about; optionally copy the part.
  4. Optionally, toggle to switch to the opposite direction.
  5. Select lines or points.
  6. Optionally, toggle to copy part.
  7. Tap checkmark.

The part is translated by the sketch line above it, to a new location across the Right plane:

Example of translate by line

The part is translated by distance. Specifically, it is translated 3.1215 inches from its original position. With Translate by distance, you are only able to translate in one direction at a time:

Example of translate by distance

The part is translated from its original position in several directions at once:

Example of translate by XYZ

Two parts are transformed to share the same mate connector location:

Example of transform by mate connectors, before being translated

Example of transform by mate connectors, after being translated

The part is rotated 45 degrees from its original position:

Example of Rotate

Use copy in place to copy one or multiple parts in their exact location.

The part is scaled at 1.5 times its original size:

Example of Scale uniformity

Before scale:

Example before non-uniform scale

After scale:

Example after non-uniform scale