Transform menu: Rotate Around Axis tool

What is the Rotate Around Axis tool?

You can use the Rotate Around Axis tool to rotate bodies, faces, edges, and sketch profiles around a selected axis. Enter a precise angle or use the rotation control, and optionally create a rotated copy of the selection.

To learn how to rotate sketch items, visit Sketch menu: Rotate Around Axis tool.

How to use the Rotate Around Axis tool

1. Go to Transform > Rotate Around Axis.
   For other ways to access tools, visit Accessing tools.
2. Select the bodies, faces, edges, or sketch profiles you want to rotate.
3. Select Next, if prompted, to proceed to axis selection.
4. Select the axis, line, or edge to rotate around.
5. Optional: Select the Copy badge to rotate a duplicate instead of the original selection.
6. Drag the rotation control or select the angle label to specify the rotation angle.
7. Optional: To adjust settings while the tool is active, select Rotate Around Axis again to open the parameter card.
8. Select Done to finish.

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 Rotate Around Axis parameters

While using Rotate Around Axis, select Rotate Around Axis again to open its parameter card and adjust the following:

• To Rotate – Select or change the geometry to rotate.
• Axis – Select or change the line, edge, or axis used as the rotation reference.
• Angle – Specify the rotation angle.
• Copy – Turn on to create a rotated copy while keeping the original selection unchanged.

To learn more about parameter cards, visit Parameter Cards.

Edit Rotate Around Axis in History

To adjust a completed Rotate Around Axis operation:

1. Open the History sidebar.
2. Select the Rotate Around Axis step to reopen its parameter card.
3. Adjust the parameters as needed.
4. 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 Rotate Around Axis tool

Use Rotate Around Axis to:

• Position angled components – Rotate parts around a hinge, shaft, or other reference axis.
• Create rotational variants – Duplicate and rotate geometry to compare or arrange alternatives.
• Adjust 3D features – Rotate selected faces or bodies by an exact angle.

Best practices and troubleshooting

• Choose a stable reference axis before entering the rotation angle.
• Use the parameter card or the dedicated History step when you need to revise the operation.