# Aligning parts - Align tool help

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/aligning-parts-align-tool-help/35831>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [January 1, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/aligning-parts-align-tool-help/35831 "2025-01-01T00:19:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johngerard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@Johngerard](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Johngerard)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/aligning-parts-align-tool-help/35831/1 "2025-01-01T00:19:12Z")

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I love the align tool. But I wonder if there is an easier way to align parts that have another part in between therm. I am creating 2 panels with a hing In between them. But I want the 2 panels to be perfectly aligned and straight. Right now I am doing this with first aligning the panel with the hing and then I align the second panel with the other side of the hinge. But then I have to spend many hours aligning the two panels by eye. This is long and very tiring. I am thinking there must be an easier way.  
Also when I move an object by copy. The copy of my part should be aligned on the same plain as the original but a lot of the time it is not “aligned” correctly, by way of the move tool.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/aligning-parts-align-tool-help/35831/2 "2025-01-01T22:39:31Z")

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There are many ways to align things:

- Construction Lines used as rulers.
- Pattern tool to space out repetitive objects.
- I use translate tool more than align because it gives you more control.
- Measurements to see gaps between objects and pin them.
- Constraints to equal things or align vertically or horizontally during sketch.
- Calculator to \* or / measurements.

Also preplanning your measurements in sketch to avoid moving 3d extrude around. There are many clever ways to align things.

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**Author:** ![Johngerard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@Johngerard](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Johngerard)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/aligning-parts-align-tool-help/35831/3 "2025-01-12T19:33:54Z")

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Thanks, i will try some of your suggestions. It seems like there is not a clear easy way to do this. I hope in time Shapr3d can incorporate AI to analyze a set of objects that are already connected and aline them to the nearest grip line or plane. Or something like that. That is the power of AI going forward.