Gizmo & Origin
Overview
The Gizmo and Origin (pivot point) are essential tools for manipulating objects in the 3D scene. They control how objects are positioned, rotated, and scaled, ensuring precise transformations and alignment. Understanding and adjusting the Gizmo and Origin allows for greater precision when working with 3D models, ensuring efficient object manipulation and alignment.
Gizmo
The Gizmo is an interactive tool used for transforming objects in the viewport. It provides handles for moving, rotating, and scaling objects along specific axes.
The Gizmo can operate in two modes: Global and Local. The axes of the Global Gizmo align with the scene’s world axes, while the Local Gizmo aligns with the object's own orientation. Switching between these modes is done using the hotkey W.
The Advanced Gizmo option adds additional controls, allowing transformations along two axes simultaneously.
Position
To move an object, left-click and drag a Gizmo arrow
To move the Gizmo itself without affecting the object, right-click and drag an arrow
Clicking on an arrow opens a field to enter an exact movement value:
Scaling
To scale an object, use the small cubes on the Gizmo guides
To scale along a single axis, hold
Shift, then drag the cube of the desired axisClicking on a cube opens a field to enter an exact scaling value
Transformations occur relative to the Origin
After scaling, it is recommended to apply the scale so that all axes equal 1, preventing potential issues:
Rotation
To rotate an object, left-click and drag one of the Gizmo arcs
To rotate the Gizmo itself without affecting the object, right-click and drag an arc
Holding
Shiftenables 15-degree incremental rotationClicking on an arc opens a field to enter an exact rotation value
Rotation occurs relative to the Origin
Origin (pivot point)
The Origin (pivot point) serves as the anchor for all transformations, including movement, rotation, scaling, and snapping. Its position determines how an object interacts with transformations, influencing the way it moves, rotates, and scales within the scene.
Repositioning the Origin – the origin can be moved independently or along with the object:
Left-click and drag to move the origin together with the object
Right-click and drag to move the origin without affecting the object's position
Aligning the Origin to Key Points
To snap the origin to the lowest, middle, or top point of the object, right-click the origin. Snap points will appear along the Z-axis, allowing for quick repositioning. To adjust along a different plane, change the axis orientation.
Resetting the Origin – Double-clicking the origin automatically moves it to the lowest part of the object
Snapping to the Grid or Face applies specifically to the Origin and occurs perpendicular to the Z-axis. Read more: Snapping
Tutorials
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