9

3dsMaxprovidestoolsthatgiveyoucontrolover
the positioning and alig nment of objects in 3D
space. With these tools, you can do t he following:
• Choose display units from the most common
real-world measuring systems or define your
own.
• Usethehomegridasaconstructionplane,
or use grid objects to position custom
construction planes.
• Select different options to align objects with
grids, points, and normals.
• Use 3D object snaps on a modeless dialog as
you build and move geometry in your scene.
Grid points and lines are among the many snap
options.
• Use "helper objects" in y our work. This
categoryincludesgridobjectsaswellasobjects
used for positioning and measurement.
This sec tion presents these brief topics desig ned to
help you quickly start learn ing how to use the tools
that make precision possible:
Tools for Precision (page 2–1)
Using Units (page 2–2)
Using Grids (page 2–4)
Using the Home Grid (page 2–4)
Using Grid Objects (page 2–5)
Aligning O b jects (page 2–8)
Aligning Normals (page 2–10)
Setting Standard Snaps (page 2–11)
Setting Snap Options (page 2–12)
Measure Distance Tool (page 2–15)
Tools for Pr eci sion
A set of interrelated tools in the program gives
you precise control of the scale, placement,
and movement of objects in your scene. These
are especially important tools for those who
build precise models in real-world units of
measurement.
Basic Tools
Thetoolsforprecisionaregroupedasfollows:
Units—Define different me asurement systems.
Besides the gener ic unit, you have your choice of
feet and inches in both decimals and fractions.
Metric un its range f rom millimeters to kilometers.
You can also define other units.
Gri ds—Include the home grid and special grid
objects.Bothtypesofgridcanactasconstruction
Precision and Drawing Aids