8

422 Chapter 6: Transforms: Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects
Non-uniform scale can change propor tio ns with different
values for different axes.
You can restrict the objects’ scaling about the X, Y,
or Z axis, or to any two axes, by first clicking the
appropriatebuttononthe
Axis Constraints toolbar
(page 3–735)
,orwiththe Transform gizmo (page
1–408)
.
To scale a single object, you don’t need to select it
first. When this tool is active, clicking an object
selects it and dr agging the mouse sca les it.
Impor tant: Avoid applying non-uniform scale at
the object level. Non-uniform scaling is applied as
a transform and changes the axes of the object, so
it affects other object properties. It also alters the
properties passed hierarch ically from parent to child.
When you perform other operations on the object, such
as rotation, inverse kinematic calculations, and other
positioning operations, you might not get the results
you expect. To recover from these problems, use the
Hierarchy panel’s Reset Scale button or the Utilities
panel’s Reset XForm utility. Either of these options
will reset the axes to use the no n-uniform scale as the
fundamental scale for the object.
As an alternative to non-uniform sc aling, consider using
the
XForm modifier (page 1–942) .
Scale Gizmo (page 1–410)
Select and Squash
Main toolbar > Select And Squash (on Select And Scale
flyout)
Right-click an object. > Scale (selects current toolbar
Scale mode)
The Select And Squash tool is useful for creat ing
different phases of the “ s quash and stretch”-style
animation often found in cartoons. The Select
And Squash tool, available from the
Select And
Scale flyout (page 1–421)
, lets you scale objects
according to the active axis constraint. Squashing
an object always involves scaling down on one axis
while simultaneously scaling up uniformly on the
othertwo(orvice-versa).
Squash scales two axes in opposite directions, maintaining
the object’s original volume.
You can restrict object sc aling to the X, Y, or Z axis,
or to any two axes, by first clicking the appropriate
button on the
Axis Constraints toolbar (page
3–735)
.
When the Select And Squash tool is act ive, clicking
an object selects it a nd draggi ng the mouse scales
it.
Impor tant: Avoid using Selec t And S quash at the object
level. The non-uniform scaling that it effects is applied
as a transform and changes the axes of the objec t,