Drag a setting's numbers on the metal

WhereThe top bar: the row of words that begins File, Edit.

DoDownload p5-04-start.blend from Files above and open it. Then choose File > Save As and save it under the name below, in a folder of yours. Open an exercise file and keep the start file safe (P0-07) shows how.

Typemy-collet.blend

You should seeThe 3D view shows a round stone inside a collar of metal, and nothing is selected. The title bar, the strip above File and Edit, begins my-collet. The first picture is the 3D view and the second is the title bar.

It worked whenThe title bar, the strip above File and Edit, begins my-collet.

WhereThe sidebar: press N with the pointer over the 3D view if it is shut, click the CAD/CAM tab, then Setting in the section bar. Then the 3D view.

DoClick the stone, in the middle of its flat top, between any pink marks. Then bring the setting up large: choose View > Frame Selected (or two fingers up on a touchpad).

You should seeSmall pink marks stand on the collar, and buttons on the model stand to the right of it: Second rail, Stone and Done. The picture marks the button Done, one of the words beside the setting; a click on any of them acts at once. The panel Stone Settings shows the Collet’s numbers: Width 1 mm and Thickness 1 mm, and the second rail’s switch. Each pink mark stands where its number acts on the metal.

It worked whenPink marks stand on the collar and the word Done shows beside it.

WhereThe Stone Settings panel: the closed panel More, under Make Real. Then the 3D view.

DoClick the title More, then rest the pointer on the handle on the collar’s outside, without pressing, and wait a moment. If a label other than Width shows, move the pointer to the next pink mark.

You should seeA label shows beside the handle, its name and its number: “Width 1.00 mm”. The mark turns white. With More open the numbers under it show as handles too: Over the girdle, Lean and the second rail’s. The three pictures show three handles that way: Width on the outside, Over the girdle on the top, Thickness at the foot.

It worked whenA label shows beside the handle and the mark is white.

WhereThe 3D view, the handle on the collar’s outside.

DoRest the pointer on the handle on the collar’s outside until its label reads Width, then press on it, drag it a little outward, and let go.

You should seeThe collar grows wider as you drag. On a touchpad, press the pad down and keep it down while you slide. Rest the pointer on the handle again: its label reads “Width 1.76 mm”. Width in the panel reads the same, with fewer decimals.

It worked whenWidth in the panel has changed from 1 mm. Here it reads about 1.8 mm.

If it goes wrongA different label shows, or a different number changes: a wrong pink mark was pressed. It only changes another number: press Esc, or Ctrl+Z, and rest the pointer on the next mark.

WhereThe 3D view: move the pointer off the sidebar and into the dark area.

DoPress Ctrl+Z once.

You should seeThe collar goes back to its first width: the whole drag is one step. The label reads “Width 1.00 mm” and the panel reads 1 mm.

It worked whenWidth in the panel reads 1 mm.

If it goes wrongNothing moves: the pointer is still over the sidebar. Move it over the 3D view and press Ctrl+Z again.

WhereThe 3D view, the handle at the collar’s foot: Thickness.

DoRest the pointer on the handle first: the label must read Thickness. Then press on it and drag it down. Keep the button down, press Esc, then let go. A wrong mark only changes another number: Esc, or Ctrl+Z.

You should seeThe collar springs back to its first height. Esc is the way out of a drag you do not want: nothing is left to undo. While you held the button the number read 1.47, and now the label reads “Thickness 1.00 mm”.

It worked whenThickness in the panel reads 1 mm.

WhereThe 3D view, the button Second rail, to the right of the setting. To look from low down, click the green ball marked -Y on the small coloured axes at the top right of the 3D view; choose View > Frame All to come back.

DoClick the button Second rail, look, then click it again.

You should seeThe two pictures, seen from low down: the second rail, the thin ring under the collar, goes. With it off nothing holds the stone from below: the stone’s culet, the point at the bottom of the stone, hangs out under a bare collar, which is why this switch is for looking. A second click brings it back. The button acts once, at the press, and does not need a drag. The collar’s own numbers do not change.

It worked whenThe second rail stands under the collar again, and the second rail is on in the panel.

WhereThe 3D view, the button Stone: Round 6.00, to the right of the setting.

DoClick the button, click the chip 5.0 in the box that opens (a chip is a small button with a size on it), then press Replace this stone (the setting follows).

You should seeThe box that opens holds the same chips as the Gems panel, and the second picture marks the chip 5.0 with a 1. The button reads “Stone: Round 5.00” afterwards, the stone is a Round 5.00, and its Collet has followed: the collar now sits round the smaller stone, with the same numbers.

It worked whenThe button reads “Stone: Round 5.00”.

WhereThe 3D view, the button Done on the model.

DoClick Done, and look at the setting with nothing over it. Choose View > Frame All if the setting is out of sight.

You should seeThe handles go, so that you can judge the setting, and the orange line goes too. A click on the stone brings them back. The numbers did not change.

It worked whenThe pink marks are gone and the setting stands alone.

WhereThe 3D view: move the pointer over it.

DoPress Ctrl+S.

You should seeBlender writes your copy at once, with no question, because the file already has a name. An asterisk, *, in the title bar marks changes that are not saved, and it goes now. Save your work and get it back (P0-12) says more about saving.

It worked whenThe title bar begins my-collet and carries no asterisk.