Grain and rotation

Keeping parts aligned to the grain, letting others turn, and why nothing is flipped.

A part can be placed as entered, or turned 90° to fit better. Grain decides which is allowed.

Material grain

On a material, Grain direction says whether its stock has a grain that runs along the length. Without one, grain settings on parts have no effect, and the workspace warns you if a part asks for one.

Part grain

Along length keeps the part’s length along the grain.
Along width turns the part so its width runs along the grain.
Any leaves it free.

Grain is a rule and rotation is a permission: when a part has a grain, the grain wins over its rotation setting. Select several cuts to set their grain together with Grain for the selected cuts.

Never flipped

Parts are placed at 0° or 90° only, never 180° or 270°. Pile fabrics, brushed metal and printed vinyl keep their direction.