# Use of variables in the MOVE/ROTATE Tool

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232>\
**Category:** Feature requests\
**Created:** [February 2, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232 "2026-02-02T16:05:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/e0b2c6/32.png) [@85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/85_And_Out_Design)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/1 "2026-02-02T16:05:39Z")

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Perhaps I’m missing something or doing something wrong, but it appears that variables are not available for use on the MOVE/ROTATE tool.

Would be nice to be able to assign this value programmatically, but I am forced to assign an absolute value.

**The problem that this feature will solve:**

Would be nice to be able to assign this value programmatically, but I am forced to assign an absolute value. For example, let’s say I’ve got a body that will be sandwiched between two or more identical bodies, but that sandwiched body’s thickness is defined by a variable.

**Brief description of the outcomes that you expect from this feature:**

It would avoid additional steps of having to edit the MOVE/ROTATE command after having selected a different value for the thickness of the part.

**What can’t you achieve without this feature?**

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**Author:** ![85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/e0b2c6/32.png) [@85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/85_And_Out_Design)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/2 "2026-02-02T16:13:23Z")

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I realized after submitting this that I could do the same thing by altering my order of operation.

Using the MOVE/ROTATE tool to create a copy of a part and then EXTRUDING the part to an object would accomplish what I want to accomplish.

Still, wondering why–when variables and expressions are so useful elsewhere–they would not be available for MOVE/ROTATE.

Total Newbie here.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![mpply](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mpply](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mpply)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/3 "2026-02-02T19:21:58Z")

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Use pattern to copy and align to move 👍

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**Author:** ![Xdrakosha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/xdrakosha/32/24881_2.png) [@Xdrakosha](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Xdrakosha)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/4 "2026-02-02T19:46:18Z")

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Agree. For now Move/Rotate tool should be used only as a last resort.

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**Author:** ![85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/e0b2c6/32.png) [@85\_And\_Out\_Design](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/85_And_Out_Design)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/5 "2026-02-03T18:04:19Z")

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Using PATTERN to copy a body does make more sense to me and I will alter my own behavior accordingly.

Most of the videos and tutorials I’ve seen seem to specify the MOVE/ROTATE command as a way to create a copy.

Thank you for your guidance. Until I saw your vids, I had no idea that MOVE/ROTATE could be used in so many different ways.

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**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/6 "2026-02-08T02:15:03Z")

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Seems like history and variables for the Move tool would also be very helpful. I would suggest that the team working on the videos and help files lead folks to using the pattern tool instead of the move tool whenever possible.

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**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/7 "2026-02-08T02:32:39Z")

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I’d like to move a body a small distance as defined by a variable. In my case it’s to create a cabinet door reveal that is adjustable by a variable. I can’t use Move because variables aren’t allowed. I can’t use Pattern because I don’t need to make a copy. I can’t use Align because I need to move the door AWAY from the alignment by a variable amount. I can’t use Translate because there are no points on the face to select.

Is there a way to do this?

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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:** [February 8, 2026, 6:04am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/8 "2026-02-08T06:04:07Z")

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Pattern could be one way.

Another way is use sketch with variables that you can align the body to.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/9 "2026-02-08T06:14:56Z")

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like this?

also there is lot of fun ways to animate with constraints.

> [@Animation in Sharp 3D](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/animation-in-sharp-3d/19708/22):
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> I believe this was just a screen recording which you can do right now. They used constraints.

> [@Animation in Sharp 3D](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/animation-in-sharp-3d/19708/24):
>
> Not sure if you saw my video example but you are talking about cylinders animating. They used constraints to animate.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/10 "2026-02-08T17:06:12Z")

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Thank you. That’s not exactly what I need to do, but you’ve given me some great ideas. I still wish that the Move tool could be modified parametrically though!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/use-of-variables-in-the-move-rotate-tool/40232/11 "2026-02-08T19:40:38Z")

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Agreed.

I made request too, in other CAD programs it would be called MATES.

Hopefully when they give us Assembly we get it.

Oh what I’m doing above with constraints is basically doing FAUX Mates.

> **[Welcome to the SOLIDWORKS Web Help](https://help.solidworks.com/2021/english/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_mates_overview_assemblies.htm)**
>
> Dassault Systemes' documentation website

> [@Make Move/Rotate part of Parametric System](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-move-rotate-part-of-parametric-system/39652):
>
> Make Move/Rotate part of Parametric System with Variable controls.