Modifying Reference Point Properties

Reference points do not have type properties, but you can modify many instance properties for reference points, such as constraints, graphics, and dimension data. The specific parameters available depend on whether the selected points are free, driving, or hosted.

  1. Select the point.
  2. On the Properties palette, edit reference point instance parameters.
  3. Click OK.

The following table lists the reference point instance properties.

Name Description
Constraints  
Work Plane For driving points only, the plane hosting the point.
Graphics  
Show Reference Planes Specifies when the point's reference planes are visible: Always, When Selected, or Never.
Visibility/Graphics Overrides Click Edit to display the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog for the reference point. See GUID-62EE20DA-E773-4049-B90C-38EAC5FE1814.htm#WS46B90C3CB2C58CAD922804FC7FA4315F-7F7D.
Show Normal Reference Plane Only For hosted and driving reference points, specifies whether only the reference plane perpendicular to the geometry of the host will be visible.
Visible When selected, the reference point will be visible when the mass is loaded into a project. It is also important to note that reference points must not be hidden by either Category or Visibility/Graphics Override settings if they are to be viewed in the project.
Dimensions  
Driving Curve(s)

When selected, the reference point is the driving point of one or more lines. Moving this point modifies geometry. When cleared, this parameter is read-only and the reference point is no longer a driving point.

Driven by Host

When selected, the reference point is a hosted point that moves along its hosted geometry. When cleared, this parameter is read-only and the reference point is no longer a hosted point.

Measurement Type

Available for points hosted on lines and form edges. Hosted Adaptive Component placement points inherit these measurement type parameters which are exposed in both project and conceptual massing environments.

Either Non-Normalized Curve Parameter, Normalized Curve Parameter, Segment Length, Normalized Segment Length, Chord Length, or Angle, depending on the line type. Specifies the measurement type for the location of the selected hosted reference point.

Non-Normalized Curve Parameter

Identifies the location of the reference point along a circle or ellipses. It is also known as raw, natural, internal, or T parameter.

This parameter displays if Non-Normalized Curve Parameter is selected as the Measurement Type.

Normalized Curve Parameter

Identifies the location of the reference point on the line as a ratio of the line length over the total length of the line. Its value can vary from 0 to 1.

This parameter displays if Normalized Curve Parameter is selected as the Measurement Type.

Segment Length

Identifies the location of the reference point on a line by the length of the line segment between the reference point and the measure-from end point. Segment Length is represented in project units.

This parameter displays if Segment Length is selected as the Measurement Type.

Normalized Segment Length

Identifies the location of the reference point on the line as a ratio of the Segment Length over the total length of the curve (0 to 1). For example, if total curve length is 170', and point is located 17' from one of its ends, the value of the % curve length will be either 0.1 or 0.9 depending from which end you are measuring.

This parameter displays if Normalized Segment Length is selected as the Measurement Type.

Chord Length Identifies the location of the reference point on the curve by the straight line (chord) distance between the reference point and the measure-from end point. Chord Length is represented in project units.
Note: On Bezier splines and circles, the position of the reference point may move if the Measure From parameter is toggled in the Properties palette or with the flip arrows in the drawing area.

This parameter displays if Chord Length is selected as the Measurement Type.

Angle

Available for points hosted on arcs and circles.

Identifies the location of the reference point along an arc or circle represented as an angle.

This parameter displays if Angle is selected as the Measurement Type. It is not available for ellipses or partial ellipses.

Measure From

Available for points hosted on lines and form edges.

Either Beginning or End. Specifies the end of a curve from which the selected reference point location is measured. Alternatively, you can use the flip controls in the drawing area adjacent to the reference point to specify either end.

Hosted U Parameter

Available for points hosted on surfaces.

The location of the reference point along the U grid. The parameter is a distance in project units from the center of the surface. This applies only to reference points hosted on a surface.

Hosted V Parameter

Available for points hosted on surfaces.

The location of the reference point along the V grid. The parameter is a distance in project units of the surface. This applies only to reference points hosted on a surface.

Offset The offset distance from the reference plane of the reference point. This applies only to driving and free reference points.
Adaptive Component
Point Either Reference Point, Placement Point (Adaptive), or Shape Handle Point (Adaptive). Specifies the reference point type. Placement Point (Adaptive) moves freely in a 3D environment.
Number Specifies the number which determines the sequence of point placement of a curtain panel by pattern or an adaptive component.
Show Placement Number Either Never, When Selected, or Always. Specifies if and when the adaptive point number is displayed as annotation.
Orientation Either By Host Reference, Auto-calculate, Vertical on Placement, Orthogonal on Placement, or Vertical in Family. Specifies the reference plane for the vertical orientation of the adaptive point.
Constrained Either None, Center (Left/Right), Center (Front/Back), or Ref. Level. Specifies the range in which an adaptive shape handle point is constrained.
Other  
Name User-defined name for the point. The name will appear in a tooltip when the point is highlighted by the cursor.