CompuServe Thread

#Positioning Local Axis

13 messages in this thread
#108755From: Allan GobinJun 20, 1994 4:54 PM
Is there any way to reposition the local axis of an object thru IPAS or any other means or is it fixed at the time of creation?
#108762From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 20, 1994 6:07 PM
Allan, if you move an object at the element level (modify/element/move or modify/vertex/move [selected] etc), or below, you will be leaving the local-axis behind. Unfortunately, you can't see where it is while you are doing this. However, you could use the tape measure or set up a little marker lsphere to mark the position of the local-axis while you make adjustments.
#108874From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Jun 21, 1994 9:08 AM
Martin, << Unfortunately, you can't see where it is while you are doing this. However, you could use the tape measure or set up a little marker lsphere to mark the position of the local-axis while you make adjustments. >> I like seeing the path as an indication of the object's pivot point. Since the path intersects the pivot point, moving the pivot moves the path and even a 1 key node track path is bright enough to see upon exiting object-place pivot. jonas[adesk]
#108991From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 21, 1994 7:39 PM
Jonas, actually, I don't think an object's pivot point is the same thing as its local axis. You can place a pivot point in the keyframer but you haven't necessarily changed it's local axis.
#109040From: Martin EnthedJun 22, 1994 1:39 AM
>>actually, I don't think an object's pivot point is the same thing as its local >>axis. You can place a pivot point in the keyframer but you haven't necessarily >>changed it's local axis. Your right about the difference between local axis and pivot point. The only time they are the same is when you have made a new object, then default position of the pivot point is the same as the local axis. The local axis point is the objects internal (0,0,0) point where every other point is built around. When making morph objects that seams to have its base vertecis on the same places, you often have different local axis. This will make the object to move while morphing, even though no position keys are added. Here is an example: ——————- If you would like to make a curtain that should morph from straight to curved with the left side still. You would make 2 objects. ("c" is the local axis centerpoint) c Straight: —————- Curved : /\/\/\/ c If one doesn't alter the objects local axis. The straight object will morph exactly the same on each side until the curtain is nicely drawn towrads the local axis of both objects, in the middle of the sceen. That is not what we want, because we want it to be drawn to the left side. Then you have to make the local axis the same for both objects. Make two cubes, marked below as a ".", at the place you want as the local axis. c Straight: .—————- Curved : ./\/\/\ c Attach the straight curtain to one of the cubes and the curved to the other. This will give both curtains the same centerpoint as the object they where attached to. Then use Modify/Element/delete and remove the cubes from the both curtains. Make the morph and the curtain will be drawn to the side!! -M.E
#109065From: David J. MarksJun 22, 1994 8:24 AM
>>attach to cubes<< PMJI, but I haven't seen that trick before. What a great idea! I have always resorted to vertex manipulation to obtain the effects I wanted. This could make it a lot easier. Thanks.
#109067From: Martin EnthedJun 22, 1994 8:32 AM
>>PMJI, but I haven't seen that trick before. Always glad to help, when I can!! BTW, what does "PMJI" stand for? -M.E
#109124From: David J. MarksJun 22, 1994 2:02 PM
>> BTW, what does "PMJI" stand for? Pardon My Jumping In. I felt it appropriate since I was butting into a conversion between you and someone else…
#109068From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Jun 22, 1994 8:45 AM
Martin and Martin, << local axis and morphing.. >> Thanks for the clarifications and the example.
#109093From: Yost GroupJun 22, 1994 10:32 AM
Wouldn't it be easier to use Reset Xform? – Jack
#109249From: Martin EnthedJun 23, 1994 9:14 AM
>>Wouldn't it be easier to use Reset Xform? >> -Jack No it wouldn't as I would get the local axis in the middle of te object and the object would move as before!! -M.E
#109269From: Yost GroupJun 23, 1994 10:07 AM
Ahh. Okay. – J
#109119From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 22, 1994 1:17 PM
Martin, that's a good tip, although I've been able to get the local axis where I wanted using a tape measure and moving at element level or below.