CAD > Edit > Group Entities

Group the selected entities into a single block. This is an advanced option that should only be used by experienced users.

At times you may need to erase or build individual surfaces, then group them together to form a single block. This function groups entities together to form seamless closed block from individual surfaces. Note that when using this operation the user must ensure that the grouped surfaces form a seamless, closed surface envelope with no internal surfaces. The presence of internal surfaces may cause errors.

The group function was implemented to allow advanced users to erase a few surface elements and rebuild them. It is also useful for joining surfaces together that are brought in from CAD packages. Note that the user is required to ensure that there are no internal surfaces and the surfaces you group together do form a seamless, closed surface envelope.

This routine can be initiated either by picking the button or simple right-clicking on any entity.

When you initiate this routine you will first be prompted to build a list of entities that you wish to group

•If Tools > Shift-key Selection is checked, you must hold down the Shift-key to make multiple selections.

•By default, selected entities are added to the list, however if the Ctrl-key is held down, selected entities will be removed from the list.

•While holding down the Shift-key or Ctrl-key, you can drag open a crossing window.

•Use of this toolbar is detailed in Build A List of Entities for Editing

•Pressing the space-bar automatically activates the last edit function that was used.

•Holding the Alt-key when you right-click automatically repeats the last edit function that was used.

Once you have selected the desired entities, you can either pick any of the edit buttons:

CAD > Edit > Entity Properties   Edit block type, colour, mining sequence,

CAD > Edit > Erase Entities   Erase selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Move Entities   Move selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Copy Entities   Copy selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Scale Entities   Scale selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Rotate Azimuth   Rotate the azimuth of selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Rotate Dip   Rotate the dip of selected entities,

CAD > Edit > Dump to File   Dump selected entities to a file,

CAD > Edit > Group   Group selected entities into a single block,

•double click on any vertex to execute the highlighted function,

•right click for a list of options.

If any of the fields in the dialogue box read "Variable" it is because some of the surfaces you have selected have different properties for that field. In order to group the selected entities into a single block, all surfaces must have the same settings for all fields. Use CAD > Edit > Entity Properties to do this.

Once you have completed any edit operation you have one chance to undo the modifications by selecting

Undo

You can also restore the same selection set and modify the same set of entities again be selecting

Redo

You can adjust the double click time using

Tools > Double Click Time