Reference Point

This is the point with which the elements to be placed will be placed onto a surface.

This point also serves as the center point for rotating and scaling. You can select between:

• Axis: The axis origin of the selected object. For multiple selections, the common axis will lie at the axis of the first object.
• Bounding Box: The bounding box surface center of the axis that is defined by Up Direction (precisely: the bounding box surface that is first in the direction of the defined axis). For multiple selections, the common bounding box will be created based on the axis orientation of the first selected object.

Orientation

Direction[XYZ ]

Here you can define the orientation of the object to be placed:

• Keep: The object's orientation before the Place tool was applied will be maintained.
• Normal: Orientation will always take place in the direction of the normals of the surface onto which the object is placed.
• Custom: Orientation will be in the direction defined by the Direction setting.

Up Direction

Here you can select the axis of the selected object that will always lie perpendicular to the surface when the object is placed. This is most often the positive Y axis but a different axis can be selected.

Offset[XYZ m]

If you want to move the automatically calculated reference point (see above), e.g., because a tree model with roots should be placed so the roots are beneath the surface, you can enter a corresponding negative value here.

This setting can also be helpful for placing lights or cameras, for example, since these are rarely placed directly on a given surface.

Prevent Collision

Enable this option if you want to add a simple collision detection when placing, rotating or scaling. The object or objects to be placed will again be surrounded by a bounding box, as described above (Reference Point) and this bounding box will be checked for collisions with other surfaces. If a collision is detected, the bounding box will be colored red and the current position, rotation and scaling will stop at that point.

Don't expect highly precise results: the tool is designed for fast placement and real collision detection at point level would be overkill.

Therefore, penetration of surfaces may occur.

Not also the Dynamic Place tool, which offers a physical collision detection function.

Clone Mode

You can duplicate the currently selected elements by simultaneously pressing the Cmd/Ctrl key. Which element that is duplicated can be defined here:

• Copy: The elements will be copied.
• Instance: The elements will be copied as Instance objects (Instance mode set to Instance).
• Render Instance: The elements will be copied as Instance objects (Instance mode set to Render Instance).