How does the Rotation Axis Tool work?

Same goes for me – most of my models were built from dimensions rather than to a backdrop.

I’ve tried to add accuracy with extra scripts that help speed up the entry process like my shiftgroups, mirror groups (extremely useful script for rollingstock) and measure.

If you ever think of anything that may help with this don’t hesitate to request it on these forums, I’m always looking for ideas to speed up accurate modelling.

Hi all,
Just bought 3DC Pro a few days ago and love it. Great app! (Aside from the occasional, ‘crash to desk top’, (CTD), I like it fine.)

Searched diligently through all of the help files and nowhere is the ‘Rotation Axis Tool’ mentioned. (I believe someone forgot to write help for it. LOL)

Anyway, I made a 2×4 10 feet long and now want to rotate it to a 45 degree angle as a brace. I can’t seem to get it to do anything.
I want to brace this sign above the building.

[img:yoehvrbi]http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5619/barber4pg7.jpg[/img:yoehvrbi]

How is this tool used?

Thanks,
Rick

I’m not sure what the Rotation Axis tool might be but for my work I right-click on the object I wish to rotate and enter the amount of rotation I want in the orientation box for the axis I wish to rotate around. The gizmo in the lower right corner of one of the views can also be used to rotate objects once they are selected but it’s not as precise as the way I described above.
There are lots of ways to use the gizmo, for example;
If you select Object Coordinates mode (top of the screen on toolbar) you can rotate objects around their own axes. I’ve used it in this mode to animate fans that aren’t oriented to the vertical (canted to one side or the other). It can be difficult to work out the various changes in all the angles in the properties window and an animated fan doesn’t need too precise an orientation other than it’s axis.

Bingo! Thanks a bunch, wmalder. There’s more then one way to skin a cat, isn’t there BUT, who wants to skin a cat? LOLOLOL

Rick

I’ve found that I much prefer the ‘properties’ method of manipulating items since you can be VERY exact. It does mean that you stop and enter values, but I have created entire models where my only tools were a ruler, scale conversion tool and drawings. (None of that backdrop stuff for me… )

I, too, am a very precise modeler and like to enter values, pwillard. I’m finding these tools as I learn.

Rick