Learn how to use the Move/Rotate tool to reposition, rotate, and copy geometry in the 3D environment. Use the gizmo for precise adjustments and control its alignment with Auto-orientation.
What is the Move/Rotate tool?
You can use the Move/Rotate tool to reposition, rotate, or copy bodies, faces, edges, and sketch regions in the 3D environment. The gizmo provides arrows, tiles, rotation controls, and dimension labels for precise adjustments.
To learn how to move, rotate, or copy sketch items while editing a sketch, visit Sketch menu: Move/Rotate tool. To move geometry using a vector defined by two points, use the Transform menu: Translate tool.
How to use the Move/Rotate tool
To move, rotate, or copy geometry:
- Go to Transform > Move/Rotate.
For other ways to access tools, visit Accessing tools. - Select the geometry you want to modify. You can double-click a face to select an entire body. Selecting a body can also activate Move/Rotate automatically.
- Optional: To adjust settings while the tool is active, select Move/Rotate again to open the parameter card.
- Optional: Select Copy to move or rotate a duplicate instead of the original. The Copy badge appears blue when enabled.
- Use the gizmo to reposition or rotate the selection. Enter precise values using the dimension labels.
- Select Done to finish.
Tip
You can project sketch items onto faces to create reference edges for positioning geometry. For more information, visit Project.
Parameter Card and History Settings
Shapr3D records the tools you use as steps in History, allowing you to revisit and modify them later. Each History step stores its parameters, which you can access through the parameter card. You can adjust these parameters while using the tool or reopen the parameter card from History after completing the step.
Adjust Move/Rotate parameters
While using Move/Rotate, select Move/Rotate again to open its parameter card and adjust the following:
- 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.
To learn more about parameter cards, visit Parameter Cards.
Edit Move/Rotate in History
To adjust a completed Move/Rotate operation:
- Open the History sidebar.
- Select the Move/Rotate step to reopen its parameter card.
- Adjust Auto-orientation to control whether the gizmo automatically aligns with nearby geometry.
- To finish editing, click anywhere in an empty area of the modeling space.
To learn more about editing modeling steps, visit History.
When to use the Move/Rotate tool
- Position components – Move bodies into place when assembling or arranging parts of a model.
- Adjust orientation – Rotate geometry to match an intended angle or direction.
- Create duplicates – Copy bodies or other selected geometry to reuse in a design.
- Refine model features – Reposition selected faces or edges without moving an entire body.
Best practices and troubleshooting
- Confirm whether you selected an entire body or individual faces, edges, or sketch regions before making changes.
- Use dimension labels to enter precise distances and angles.
- Check Auto-orientation when repositioning the gizmo center if its alignment changes unexpectedly.
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| The wrong geometry moves. | Check whether you selected a body, face, edge, or sketch region. |
| The gizmo changes orientation unexpectedly. | Turn Auto-orientation off if you want to retain the gizmo orientation while repositioning its center. |
| The original geometry moves instead of creating a duplicate. | Turn on Copy before moving or rotating. |