Learn how to move, rotate, and copy sketch items using the gizmo, control Auto-orientation, and revisit sketch changes in History.
What is the Move/Rotate tool?
You can use the Move/Rotate tool to reposition, rotate, or copy sketch items. The gizmo provides arrows, tiles, rotation controls, and dimension labels for precise adjustments.
To move, rotate, or copy 3D geometry, use Transform menu: Move/Rotate tool.
How to use the Move/Rotate tool
To move, rotate, or copy sketch items:
- Open an existing sketch and go to Sketch > Move/Rotate.
For other ways to access tools, visit Accessing tools. - Select the sketch items you want to modify. To select a connected group, double-click or double-tap one of its items.
- Optional: Turn on Copy to move or rotate a duplicate instead of the original. The Copy badge turns blue when enabled.
- Optional: To adjust settings while the tool is active, select Move/Rotate again to open the parameter card.
- Use the gizmo to move or rotate the selection. Use the dimension labels to enter precise values.
- To finish and exit the tool, select an empty area of the modeling space.
Tip
For simple adjustments, select and drag sketch items directly. Use Move/Rotate when you need precise movement, rotation, or copying with the gizmo.
Move sketch items along planes
Use the gizmo's center tiles to reposition sketch items along the available planes.
- Adjust the view as needed using the Orientation Cube or Views and Appearance.
- Open Sketch > Move/Rotate and select the sketch items.
- Drag a tile in the gizmo center to move the selection along its plane.
Parameter Card and History Settings
The Move/Rotate tool includes a parameter card for controlling the gizmo's behavior.
Parameter Card settings
- Auto-orientation – Turn on to automatically align the gizmo with nearby geometry when repositioning its center. Turn off to maintain the gizmo's current orientation.
History settings
Moving or rotating sketch items does not create a separate Scale step in History. You can still reopen the existing Sketch step to review or modify its settings:
Find the relevant Sketch step to review or modify these settings:
- Plane – Select Edit… or Select… to change the plane or face containing the sketch, then select Done.
- Projection – If applicable, select Edit… to modify existing projections in the sketch.
When to use the Move/Rotate tool
- Reposition sketch geometry – Move existing profiles to a different location without redrawing them.
- Adjust feature orientation – Rotate sketch items to align with the intended design.
- Duplicate geometry – Copy sketch items to reuse shapes elsewhere in the sketch.
- Make precise adjustments – Enter movement and rotation values with the gizmo.
Best practices and troubleshooting
- Check the selected sketch items before moving or rotating them.
- Use the gizmo's dimension labels when exact positioning matters.
- Review existing sketch constraints if geometry does not move as expected.
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| The selection does not move as expected. | Check for sketch constraints that may restrict its movement. |
| The gizmo aligns in an unexpected direction. | Check the Auto-orientation setting and reposition the gizmo center. |
| The original sketch items moved instead of being duplicated. | Turn on Copy before moving or rotating the selection. |
Read more
- Accessing tools – Understand how tools appear based on what you select in the modeling space.
- Selecting geometry – Master selection techniques for edges, faces, sketches, and bodies.
- Defining and calculating numerical values – Learn how to apply dimensions, enter precise values, and use formulas.
- Keyboard shortcuts, gestures, and hotkeys – View keyboard shortcuts you can use to access tools and speed up actions.
- Variables and expressions – Set up reusable values and expressions to control your design parametrically.