Select Instance
Rotate from the main menu bar to rotate selected part instances about a selected axis. To rotate a three-dimensional part instance, you must select two points that define the axis about which the part instance will rotate. To rotate a two-dimensional part instance, you must select a single point about which the part instance will rotate. You cannot rotate axisymmetric part instances. If the rotation conflicts with a previous position constraint (for example, a constraint that aligns two faces), ABAQUS/CAE displays an error message and the rotation fails.
When you create the first part instance, ABAQUS/CAE displays a graphic indicating the origin and orientation of the assembly's global coordinate system. You can use this graphic to help you decide how to rotate your part instances. In addition, you can use the Query toolset to review the sum of the translations and rotations previously applied to a part instance and the distance between selected vertices. Rotations and translations are not considered features of the assembly and cannot be edited or deleted.
To rotate part instances:
From the main menu bar, select InstanceRotate.
Tip:
You can also rotate a part instance using the 
tool from the Assembly module toolbox. For a diagram of the tools in the Assembly toolbox, see “Using the Assembly module toolbox,” Section 13.8.
ABAQUS/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.
From the assembly, select the part instances to rotate. You can also click the Instance List button on the right of the prompt area and select the instances to rotate from the Instance List dialog box that appears.
Tip:
If you are unable to select the desired part instance, you can change the selection behavior by clicking the selection options tool 
in the prompt area. For more information, see “Using the selection options,” Section 6.3.
ABAQUS/CAE highlights the selected part instances.
Select the start point of the vector that defines the axis of rotation. You can select any existing vertices or datum points, or you can enter the coordinates in the text box in the prompt area.
Select the end point of the vector that defines the axis of rotation. Again, you can select any existing vertices or datum points, or you can enter the coordinates in the text box in the prompt area.
In the text box that appears in the prompt area, type the angle of rotation. A positive angle indicates a counterclockwise rotation; a negative angle indicates a clockwise rotation.
ABAQUS/CAE displays a temporary image indicating the rotation that will be applied to the selected part instances. You cannot edit or delete a rotation after it is applied. Attempting to rotate a part instance may result in a conflict with existing position constraints. If a conflict occurs, ABAQUS/CAE displays an error message and the rotation fails.
Do one of the following:
If you are satisfied that the rotation is correct, click the OK button in the prompt area.
ABAQUS/CAE rotates the part instance and positions it at the same location as the temporary image of the part instances.
If you are not satisfied with the rotation, click the Previous button (
) and specify a new rotation.
Abort the rotation by clicking the cancel button (
).
