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416 Chapter 6: Transforms: Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects
toolbar. Alternatively, you can turn on Customize
menu > Preferences > General tab > Reference
Coordinate System group > Constant, which keeps
the transform manager settings the s ame for all
transforms.
Sp ecif y ing a R efer ence Coordi nate
System
The reference coordinate system determines the
orientation of the X, Y, and Z axes used by the
transform. The t ype of transform system you use
affects all transform operations.
You specify the transform coordinate system using
the
Reference Coordinate System list (page 1–423) .
Cr e at in g a L o ca l Axis
While modeling, it’s often helpful to have a
temporar y, movable lo ca l axis so you can rotate or
scale about an arbitrary center.
Note: This technique does not work for animation.
See
Choosing a Transform C enter (page 1–416)
for animation tips.
To create an adjustable local axis:
1.
Create a Point helper object.
You can use the Create panel or the Create
menu. On the Create panel, click the Helpers
button, click Point, and then click in a viewport.
Or,chooseCreatemenu>Helpers>Point,and
then click in a viewport.
2. From the Transform Coordinate System list,
choose Pick, and then click the point object.
Thenameofthepointobjectappearsinthelist
astheactivecoordinatesystem.
No w you can use the point object’s coordinate
system as an adjustable axis.
To use the adjustable axis:
1.
Place the point object where you want the rotate
or scale transform to be centered.
2. Select the object you want to transform.
3. Choose the point object’s name in the
TransformCoordinateSystemdrop-downlist.
4. From the Use Center flyout (page 1–426)
choose Use Transform Coordinate Center. For
more information, see
Choosing a Transform
Center (page 1–416)
.
5. Proceed with the transform.
Choosing a Tra nsf or m Center
The transform center affects scale and rotation
transforms, but has no effect on position
transforms.
The software lets you choose from three types of
transform center using the
Use Center flyout (page
1–426)
on the main toolbar. When you change the
transform center, the junction of the axis tr ipod
icon moves to the location you specify.
By default, 3ds Max sets the transform center to
Use Pivot Point center for single objects. When
you select multiple objects, the default transform
center changes to Use Selection Center, because
selection sets have no pivot point. You can change
the t r ansform center in either case, and the
program remembers and restores the transform
center setting separately for selections of single
and multiple objects (during the current session).
Forexample,youmightselectasingleobjectand
choose Use Transform Coordinate Center, and
then select multiple objects and choose Use Pivot
Point Center. When you next select a single object,
the program switches back to Use Transform
Coordinate Center. Then, when you select multiple
objects, the center switches back to Pivot Point.