Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects

The column can be moved, rotated, and scaled.

To change an object’s position, orientation, or scale, click one of the three transform buttons on the main toolbar or choose a transform from a shortcut menu. Apply the transform to a selected object using the mouse, the status bar Coordinate Display fields, a type-in dialog, or any combination of the above.

These topics describe the basics of using transforms and animating them:

Moving and Rotating Objects

Scaling Objects

Using Transform Gizmos

Animating Transforms

Transform Managers

Specifying a Reference Coordinate System

Choosing a Transform Center

Using the Axis Constraints

Transform Commands

Transform Coordinates and Coordinate Center

Transform Constraints

Transform Tools

Procedures

To transform an object using the controls on the toolbar:

On the toolbar, click one of the three transform buttons: Select And Move, Select And Rotate, or Select And Scale. These buttons are usually referred to as Move, Rotate, and Scale.
Position the mouse over the object you want to transform.
- If the object is already selected, the cursor changes to indicate the transform.
- If the object is not selected, the cursor changes to a plus sign to show that the object can be selected.
Drag the mouse to apply the transform.
If you drag the mouse over an unselected object, it becomes selected and is also transformed.
Tip: You can use the Transform gizmo to easily restrict transforms to one or two axes. See Using the Transform Gizmo.

To cancel a transform:

Right-click while you’re dragging the mouse.

To transform a selected object from the quad menu:

Right-click the selected object.
The quad menu appears, showing the three transforms on its Transform (lower-right) quadrant.
Choose one of the transforms.
The equivalent transform button is selected on the toolbar.
Drag the object or its transform gizmo to apply the transform.

Using Transform Type-In

The Transform Type-In allows you to enter precise transform values to apply to selected objects. You can access equivalent controls as the Coordinate Display on the status bar, or you can open a small dialog that remains on your screen while you work. The contents update to match the currently active transform and object selection.

To use transform type-in:

Apply a transform to a selected object.
Either use the Coordinate Display type-in fields on the status bar, or choose Tools menu > Transform Type-In.
The keyboard shortcut for accessing the dialog is F12. You can also open the Transform Type-In by right-clicking a transform button on the main toolbar.
You can do any of the following, switching from one to the other as required:
- Type a value in an axis field and press ENTER to apply the transform change to the object in the viewport.
- Drag a spinner in an axis field to update the object in the viewport.
- Drag the object to apply the transform and read the resulting change in the dialog.
  For example, if Move is active, the dialog fields read out both the absolute and offset positions of the selected object in world space. If no object is selected, the fields turn gray.

Using Type-In with Sub-Object Selection

You can use the Transform Type-In with any sub-object selection or gizmo. The transform affects the axis tripod for the selection.

Absolute and offset world coordinates are those of the tripod. If multiple vertices are selected, the tripod is at the center of the selection and its location is given in world coordinates.

Because axis tripods cannot be scaled, Absolute Scale fields are unavailable when in sub-object mode.

See Basics of Creating and Modifying Objects for information on sub-object selection and gizmos.

Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects

See also

Procedures

Using Transform Type-In

Using Type-In with Sub-Object Selection