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10 Chapter 10: Precision and Drawing Aids
Sub-Object Alignment
You can use Align w ith any selection that can
be transformed. The tripod axis becomes the
source for alignment. You do this by accessing the
sub-object level of the object before clicking Align.
For further discussion of the Align options, see
Align Dialog (page 1–447) .
Ali gning Nor mal s
Normal on the front of the bolt is aligned with the normal of
a face on the assembl y.
3ds Max lets you align the normals between any
two objects. In the case of mesh objects, the
alignment is between individual faces, because
each face has its own normal. See
Normal Align
(page 1–450)
.
B as ics of A li gning Norma ls
Before you begin, select a view that lets you see
both objects you want to align. If necessary, you
can navigate the v iew after selecting the first
normal. To see face normals clearly, work in a
wireframe viewport.
For details on the procedure and dialog settings,
see
Normal Align Dialog (page 1–451) .
Other Align Options
The Align flyout on the main toolbar has other
buttons that provide specialized alignments.
Align Camera—Orients a camera viewport
to a selected face normal, with the normal in
the center of the view port and on the axis of the
camera. See
Align Camera (page 1–453) .
Align to View—Orients a local axis of an
object or sub-object selection with the current
viewport. Options on the dialog are interactive, as
they are on the Normal Align dialog. See
Align to
View (page 1–453)
.
Place Highlight—Or ients a face normal to
alight. See
Place Highlig ht (page 1–452) and
Lighting in 3ds Max (page 2–1133) .
Setting Standard Snaps
Snapping to: endpoints, midpoints, edges
Standard snaps give you control in creating,
moving, rotating, and scaling objects. You access
the snap features in the program from buttons on
the main toolbar.
You make most snap settings on Grid And Snap
Settings, a modeless dialog with four panels. You