Transform tools

Move

The Move (W) tool moves selected objects and components along the axes (X, Y, Z). Note that these axes are defined by the currently defined coordinate reference systems, see below. Click and drag the handles for individual axes. Use the yellow "free handle" to move the selection on the X-Z or object plane. When moving a single node or shape vertex around using the yellow disc, snapping to edges and vertices of other objects occurs. To turn off snapping temporarily, press Shift.

Scale

The Scale (E) tool scales selected objects and components along the axes (X, Y, Z). Use the "free handle" in order to uniformly scale along all axes.

Rotate

The Rotate (R) tool rotates selected objects and components around the axes (X, Y, Z).

Reference coordinate systems

By default, the transform tools (Move, Rotate, Scale ) operate in the world coordinates system, i.e. all operations take place along the principal axes (X, Y, Z) of the scene. However, you can also select the object coordinates system as reference. In many cases, it is more convenient to use a specific object coordinates system as the reference system.

By default, the transform tools operate in the World Coordinate System, i.e. all operations take place along the principal axes (X, Y, Z). However, you can also set the reference system by the object's coordinate system. In many cases, it is more convenient to use a specific object's coordinate system as the reference system.

Furthermore, The currently active reference space (world vs. object) can be toggled by clicking in the appropriate toolbar icon or by pressing the , key.

Select world coordinate system

Click the World Coordinate System tool to set the reference system to the World Coordinate System.

Select object coordinate system

To switch between world and object coordinates system, you can use the icons in the toolbar: (world) or (object) or press .(period). In object coordinates system, the transform tools are aligned to objects' features (edges and normals).

If object space is active and multiple objects are selected, the current coordinate system is determined by the currently selected object or lead object. The lead object is always the most recent individually selected object. Therefore, you can change the lead object by pressing Shift and selecting the new lead object.

Multiselection with lead selection in light blue. Move Tool is positioned at the center of the multiselection.

Same Multiselection but now with Move Tool and Object Coordinate System as Reference. Note the position of the move tool (center of lead selection) and the x axis aligned with the first edge (orange - blue border)

Lock and use current coordinate system

In addition, you may lock the current reference system by clicking the Lock Current Coordinates icon (or pressing , (comma)) . A locked reference space defines a persistent coordinate space (for example with ongoing selection / transformation) until it gets unlocked.

Press . to switch toggle between the World Coordinate System tool and the Lock Current Coordinates tool .

Numeric transform input

While transforming one or multiple objects, the numeric transform text field in the toolbar provides feedback of the current transformation (e.g. when moving an object by 10.0 along the X axis, the field will show "10.0 0.0 0.0").

This text field can also be used to carry out transforms numerically. Since previous values are stored in the drop down menu, you may select a different object and press Enter in the text field in order to execute the corresponding transformation.

Note:

Vector components (X Y Z) are separated by a space character. For scale transforms you may enter only a single value in order to scale uniformly.