Create Boxes

Use the Solids: Box tool to create boxes with solid or bounding surfaces.

  1. From the 3D ribbon, click the Solids > Box tool.


    Figure 1.
  2. Create a box using one of the following methods:
    Method Procedure
    By Plane
    1. Click By Plane from the selector on the guide bar.
    2. Left-click on geometry or in empty space to create the corner point for the box's base.
    3. Hold the middle mouse button and drag to manipulate the vector defining the plane for the box's base.
    4. Click the Play button on the guide bar.
    5. Left-click and drag in empty space to draw the box's base.
    6. Release the mouse button and move the mouse to set the height of the box.
    7. Left-click to create the box.
    8. Click Plane on the guide bar to define another box in a new plane.
    Free Drawing
    1. Click Free Drawing from the selector on the guide bar.
    2. Left-click and drag on geometry or in empty space and draw the box's base.
    3. Hold the middle mouse button and drag to manipulate the vector defining the plane for the box's base.
    4. Move the mouse to set the height of the box.
    5. Left-click to finish creating the box.
    Fit To
    1. Click Fit To from the selector on the guide bar.
    2. Select Surfaces, Solids, or Components from the selector on the guide bar.
    3. Left click to select a corresponding surface, solid, or component on the model. A box will display.
    4. Use the move tool to modify the box, if necessary.
    5. Click the Play button on the guide bar to finish creating the box.
  3. Modify the size and location of the box in the following ways:
    • Resize the box by editing the length, width, and height in the microdialogs and pressing Enter.
    • Click on a face of the box and drag the slider to adjust its dimension.
    • Click to translate and rotate the box using the Move tool.
    • Click to fit the box around a selected object.
    • Click to fill the shape.
Tip: While placing or editing the box, use snap points to snap to predefined points on your model, such as surface boundary fixed points or mid points of surfaces.