Three 3DC questions

Use my script ‘The Gaffer’ to find stuff you’ve lost. You give it the name of the group, object or coordinate and it swivels the animation Camera group (or lights) to point to the object.

Find it here:-
[img:1bxpffyc]http://amabilis.com/forumattachments?a=tpcands=2396098374andf=2336078974andm=7986001665[/img:1bxpffyc]
Seven Scripts from The Hump

Is there a simple way to find pasted objects, or to specify where they will be pasted? Sometimes after pasting an object I must select it in the hierarchy panel, to make it more visible, and rotate the model in the perspective pane to search for it. There is bound to be a simpler way.

Is there any way to make the initial view, after opening a file, the same as it was when saved before exiting? I find that the hierarchy panel is fully expanded and the model appears to be in a default position and size, when I open a file. I have to waste time repositioning and sizing the model back to where it was when saved, and compress groups in the hierarchy panel before I can work on the model.

Sometimes I will copy an object, from one end of a model, and past it to place it on the other end. This often requires rotating it about the Y axis. Usually the object merely rotates in place (like it should) but sometimes it repositions to another position on the scene while rotating. This is not a real problem but I am wondering why it happens and how it can be prevented.

None of these are major problems, but are petty annoyances that take some of the fun out of using 3DC. Any solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Bill <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

Bill – it’s been a while since you were here last <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

Pasting – if you select a single object and copy, select another object and paste, it pastes with a group offset at 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 relative to the group of the selected object
If you paste without selecting an object, it pastes into the center of the scene.

If you select a group or hierarchy and copy – when you paste it back, it pastes at the same offset as the original group, so if you paste it back onto the parent group, it is exactly positioned over the original.

camera – right click, select camera, animation.

Now when you change your view, you are actually moving the little camera icon which is saved with the model.

I have to copy a coupling of a coach, from one end to the other last weekend.

I selected the coupling (part of the main group), hit copy, selected and object in the main group again and hit paste.

Find the object in the hierarchy and right click on the brown object icon – change the group position from 0.5,0.5,0.5 to 0,0,0 and the y rotation to 180
(Then use the group with button on the right to combine it back with the main group)

Paul – Thanks for the speedy and detailed reply. Haven’t been here for a while but I read the posts every day. Am rebuilding a 80+ year old NG caboose so not spending much time with 3DC now.

Played with your pasting procedure and it seems to work as you say if the copied object and the 2nd selected object are ‘simple objects’-�. If either object is made of several objects merged into one (like a ladder) I still have to search for the pasted object.

If I paste without selecting an object, the results are the same. If the copied object is a ‘simple object’-� it does paste into the center of the scene, but if the object is made of several merged objects I have to search for it.

The above was tested on two different models with the same results, however I made a new very simple test model (two cubes placed on a flattened cube) and the results were exactly as you said. Why is it working as advertized on a simple test model but not on my more complex models?. The only possible thing I an think of is my hierarchy organization but don’t know why that would cause it.

Selecting the camera animation does cause the Perspective window to appear as I saved it (this is great). However the Camera Animation selection in the Orthographic windows is grayed out so the images in those windows still have to be repositioned and/or resized when opening a file. Any fix for this?

Also, probably doesn’t make any difference but I am using Pro 6.6.0.2

Any more help greatly appreciated, Bill <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

Hi Bill,

Using 6.5, if I create a group with 2 cubes at (2,1,3), select the group and copy

when I paste back into the scene (without selecting an object) – nothing appears to change.

This is because the new group is also at (2,1,3) – exactly covering the first group.

If I select one of the original cubes and paste, the new group is at (2,1,3) relative to the first group i.e. at (4,2,6) in world coordinates.

Can’t help with the orthographic views – it would need 3 camera positions – perhaps one for Richard to think about for 7.0

Paul,
I created cubes as you did and had the same results as you, but still can’t get the same results with objects on my model. Don’t know what is going on but it certainly isn’t worth worrying about any more.

I appreciate your input as I did gain a much better feeling of the subject as a result of these posts.

Thanks again, Bill <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>