Axis Center
The main purpose for this tool is to quickly and easily set the object axis of a polygonal (not parametric!) object. Furthermore, the complete object (even parametric) can be moved to a defined position, including its axis.
The tool affects selected object(s).
This option must be active if you want to move the axes/objects.
Use this setting to define exactly what should be moved:
- Axis to: The object axis will be moved (no geometry)
- Object to: The object geometry will be moved along the axis.
- View Center: The object axis and the corresponding geometry will be moved to the center of the view.
- Parent to: The object axis of the parent object of the object selected in the Object Manager and its corresponding geometry will be moved onto the selected object. The Position, Rotation and Scale settings will be assumed accordingly.
- To Parent: The selected object’s axis and its corresponding geometry will be placed onto the parent object. The Position, Rotation and Scale settings will be assumed accordingly.
Use this setting to define how the center, which can consist of different object points, should be calculated.
- All Points: The center of all selected points will be ascertained.
- Selected Points / Polygons / Edges: The center of all selected points, polygons or edges will be ascertained.
If Axis to or Object to are used in conjunction with a deactivated Points Center option, the X, Y, and Z settings will also be made available. These three settings apply to the dimensions of the object’s bounding box. Object axis and geometry can be placed anywhere within this box.
Activate this option if the object axis should be rotated.
Use this setting to define which axis should be rotated. You can select from:
- All: All object axes will rotate.
- X, Y, Z: Only the selected axis will be rotated in the defined direction. All other axes will remain orthogonal, but dependent on the prior axis position.
Use this setting to define the direction the axis defined in the Alignment setting should take:
- Normals: The axes will be rotated as to reflect the existing centered Normals. The Y axis will assume the orientation of the centered normal.
- Selected Edge: The alignment of the object axis will be adapted to the selection axis (of the selected edges)
- World: If All is selected, the world coordinate system will be used. If a specific axis is defined only this axis will use the world coordinate system.
This option only makes sense if All Points is selected in the Center setting. The center of all object points will then be ascertained and the axis positioned there.
These settings define which parameter should be assumed for the To Parent and Parent to options.
Use this setting to define if the currently selected object’s Child object (or its axis) should also be moved in accordance with the described function.
Enable this option in addition to the Include Children option if, for example, you have numerous objects grouped beneath a Null object and you want to move the Null object to the center of its Child objects.
Otherwise the enabled option will center the axis of the first object of a group of objects in the Object Manager list.
If active, all changes made in the Center Axis dialog window will be displayed in the editor view without having to press the Execute button.
This option makes sure the object axis is updated for the Axis to option.
These commands reflect the commands just described above. If desired, hotkeys can be assigned to each of these commands.