In 3D, why is Z Axis always 0'-00" when I use COORDINATES (ID) command?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if somethings wrong, if it's program design, or if I just don't know the trick yet.  I thought I remember actually getting Z values not equal to zero at some point.  I've even tried changing the UCS but the (Y Axis) value is wrong.

I would like to accomplish the use of CHANGE -- PROPERTIES -- ELEVATION command to adjust object elevations, but can't seem to get a solid method of finding what elevation I want.

Any help is much appreciated.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

Do you mean the z value as in height? If I draw a box and then place the location of my UCS at the bottom corner, the z-value of the box shows a value of 0. If I move the UCS to a point lower than that corner, then the box Z value is a positive number that is the difference between the to points. Does that make sense?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... CHANGE -- PROPERTIES -- ELEVATION command to adjust object elevations, but can't seem to get a solid method of finding what elevation I want. ....

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If you're trying to set an elevation to assign to something by Osnapping to existing geometry, make sure you OSNAPZ System Variable is set to 0, call up the Change command and select objects and the Properties and Elevation options, then:

Type in the point filter .XY  [with preceding period/decimal], Osnap to the location whose Z coordinate you want to use, but type in 0 when it asks for the Z value;

Osnap to the same location again when it asks for a second point, and it will take the distance from that the XY-plane location above/below that point to that point itself for the Elevation setting.

Or, a little more simply perhaps:

Again, with OSNAPZ = 0 and into the Change/Properties/Elevation option, put this in at the command line:

(caddr (getpoint))

and Osnap to the location whose Z coordinate you want to assign to the selected object(s).

[Anonymous]

Hi John Vellek

I work almost entirely in 3D Solids.   I don't see X-Y-Z values in the Properties table.  I've only ever used ID to pick a point for reference.

I think I understand from what you said, the value of UCS-Z can change.  I've gotten the hang of navigating the UCS orientation to perform lots of tasks, but was unaware more than the orientation was changing.  

I'm trying to move 3D Solids to new Elevations, height, yes.

-Matt

[Anonymous]

Hey Kent,

That seems like it wants to work, but the result keeps coming back, "Cannot change elevation of 3DSolid"

-Matt

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... 

That seems like it wants to work, but the result keeps coming back, "Cannot change elevation of 3DSolid"

.... 

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3D Solids don't have an Elevation "property".  What location within the Z-direction span of one should be at the designated elevation?  I think you would need to MOVE it vertically, instead.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I got to thinking about that....ACAD has trouble knowing which way is up, and a 3D solid would have to have a "base point" somewhere in/on it to now what part of the object should be at the requested elevation.    

So is it possible to MOVE an object with respect to an ABSOLUTE UCS?  Say, set drawing coordinates to ABSOLUTE, then MOVE an object using .XY then a new Z value?    I can't seem to navigate the commands properly and suspect the same issue as above.

It just seems so counter-intuitive to have a 3D space that you're obscured from directly using.  

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... 

So is it possible to MOVE an object with respect to an ABSOLUTE UCS?  Say, set drawing coordinates to ABSOLUTE, then MOVE an object using .XY then a new Z value?    I can't seem to navigate the commands properly and suspect the same issue as above. ....  

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Regardless of the UCS, I think you should be able to do this, once at the point of having selected objects in a MOVE command:

When it's asking for the base point, Osnap to the location on the object that you want to be at the specified Z value.

Type in the point filter .XY, Osnap to the same location again, then when it asks for the Z value, either type it in or Osnap to the any location that's at that Z elevation.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I am checking to see if my post or those of @Kent1Cooper have helped you resolve how to set a Z value for your objects.  Please let me know your status.