Is there a way to change the multiplicity of a part without picking it up?

[bitzoid 78]

When in the VAB/SPH, if you have a radially attached part (say, a tank) and you want to make a symmetrical copy, you can pick it up, hit x (assuming the setting on the lower left corner is set to a simple point) and reattach it. But then I need to place it exactly where it was, which requires me to perhaps translate and rotate the part back to its former position. Is there a way to do this directly? Some key combination, perhaps?

I find it difficult to believe I am the only one who is annoyed by that.

[Geonovast 3,778]

Just now, bitzoid said:

I find it difficult to believe I am the only one who is annoyed by that.

Makes sense, since it annoys me as well.

You can't re-set the symmetry without clicking on it in stock, however I believe if you have snap turned off and you are holding shift ( I think it's shift... whatever button it is that lets you offset further than normal) it shouldn't bounce around when you pick it up.

 

This might be something Editor Extensions could help with.

 

[bitzoid 78]

Doesn't work. If I hit left shift while picking it up, I pick up the entire vessel. If I hit right shift (alt on Windows) I pick up a copy of the part. Regardless of snap.

[Geonovast 3,778]

9 minutes ago, bitzoid said:

Doesn't work. If I hit left shift while picking it up, I pick up the entire vessel. If I hit right shift (alt on Windows) I pick up a copy of the part. Regardless of snap.

Eek.. That's right.  You know, I'm so used to the controls at this point that it's all automatic and I actually can't remember what does what.

You might be stuck in mod territory on this one.

[bewing 2,270]

1 hour ago, bitzoid said:

But then I need to place it exactly where it was

When you place it the first time (with 1x symmetry), don't put it in the right place.

 

[5thHorseman 10,263]

1 hour ago, bitzoid said:

But then I need to place it exactly where it was, which requires me to perhaps translate and rotate the part back to its former position. Is there a way to do this directly?

I seem to be misunderstanding you. Why can't you rotate and translate after re-placing the parts? Or do you just want to not have to?

[bitzoid 78]

1 hour ago, 5thHorseman said:

I seem to be misunderstanding you. Why can't you rotate and translate after re-placing the parts? Or do you just want to not have to?

It's a quality of life issue not a matter of not being able to do something. Especially when tweaking designs, it is very cumbersome to keep re-doing adjustments. It's something that has bothered me a couple of times, so I thought I'd ask.

[Foxster 2,809]

It's not just you.

I've lost count of the times I have placed a part thinking I had the right multiple of symmetry turned on when I only had single and so I have to go to the bother reattaching it and move it back into place.