Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects

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The Transform Gizmos in 3ds max 5 are somewhat different (Fig. 12.6, a—c) from those in previous versions and have more settings (Fig. 12.6, d). Apart from everything else, you can change the appearance of the Rotate Gizmo in this dialog box, making it similar to that in previous versions of 3ds max, called Legacy R4:

• Main menu à Customize à Preferences à Gizmos à Rotate Gizmo

Figure 12.6, a—c: Gizmo transformation (a), rotation (b), and scaling (c)

Figure 12.6, d: Gizmo settings window

3ds max 5 provides the <Q>, <W>, <E>, and <R> keys to designate how to manipulate the selected objects and sub-objects. These keys correspond to: selection mode (Smart Selection), moving (Move), rotation (Rotate), and scaling (Scale), the last key indicating the scaling type (Uniform, Non-Uniform, and Squash).

Sometimes it is useful to switch off the gizmos. To do this, press the <X> key.

In the latest version, the main toolbar (Main Toolbars) no longer has the Restrict by Axis buttons, obviously hoping that everyone has memorized the <F5>, <F6>, <F7>, and <F8> keys corresponding to the restrictions on the X, Y, and Z axes and the XY, XZ, and YZ planes. If you want to use buttons for these commands, select the Axis Constrains panel (Main menu à Customize à Show UI à Show Floating Toolbars). This panel also contains buttons for the Array, Snapshot and Spacing Tools tools. If there is enough free space on your screen, you can move this panel onto the main line, or place it to the side.

Sub-object selection is performed with the <1>, <2>, <3>, <4> etc., keys. They can be used not only for base objects (e.g., Editable Poly) but modifiers, too. Pressing a key repeatedly transitions to the base level.

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