# Geometry Orientation Query

**URL:** <https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886>\
**Category:** General Questions\
**Created:** [May 24, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886 "2023-05-24T09:16:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Angelo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/angelo/32/536_2.png) [@Angelo](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Angelo)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/1 "2023-05-24T09:16:10Z")

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Hi - Is it possible to change orientation of the imported geometry please ? An example is below where the bolt is not in the correct position as it is supposed to be in the hole where the cut-out is shown ? I did try moving the .STEP file in the CAD tool, but prepomax still imports it in the wrong direction ??

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/6/650756e4ce31ae98915ae8b4f262bd25cdddc8f2.png)

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**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:32am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/2 "2023-05-24T09:32:52Z")

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Yes, after meshing you can use Model → Part → Transform → Rotate. FreeCAD could also help you with that. It’s likely just a matter of export settings.

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**Author:** ![arnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@arnie](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/arnie)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:15am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/3 "2023-05-24T10:15:01Z")

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However, if it is a part in a Compound, it will pull/distort the mesh nodes - see plate rotated (below).  
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 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/f/ff776588458a3577a09353d820427520364871cb.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:21am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/4 "2023-05-24T10:21:21Z")

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That’s one of the reasons why it’s best to ensure proper placement and orientation of the parts before exporting them to STEP. Most CAD software should be able to handle this.

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**Author:** ![Matej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Matej](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Matej)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/5 "2023-05-24T13:49:58Z")

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Did you import all parts as an assembly or individual parts?

I was not aware that step assembly files could be stored in such a way that when opened, there is a need to transform the part from the local to the global coordinate system (which seems to be the case here). I was under the impression that absolute coordinates are only used.

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**Author:** ![Angelo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/angelo/32/536_2.png) [@Angelo](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Angelo)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 7:14am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/geometry-orientation-query/886/6 "2023-06-01T07:14:45Z")

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Thank you too all for replies - much appreciated 🙂