topic Re: Rotating (Noob question) in 3ds Max Forum

Rotating (Noob question)

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:16:01 GMT

Hi All,

I have an object that I want to rotate, so I click it and the rotation icon and the Gizmo appears, but the gizmo is not on the centre line of where I want the object to rotate about.

How do I get the gizmo to where I want it?

Re: Rotating (Noob question)

kennyj — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:53:37 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Select the object; then on the browser go to Hierarchy tab.

There is an "Affect Pivot Only" option that allows you to move your gizmo (center point) to where you need it. Note, you need to deselect this same button to return to regular edit. Also keep in mind you can animate where the gizmo is using this method; so you can change where it rotates from as needed.

Hope this helps,

Kenny

Re: Rotating (Noob question)

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 11:49:07 GMT

I found - while waiting for a reply - the Place Pivot Surface which has got the pivot where I want it, but when I press Set Key to rotate it for an animation the gizmo goes back to where it was and I cant rotate it around where I want. Further is I select something else and do stuff with that then comeback to the first part the gizmo had gone back and how do I then get it back to exactly the place I clicked last time.

Re: Rotating (Noob question)

kennyj — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 20:03:20 GMT

Hello!

Each item will have it's own keys. So the first thing I would check is select the object by itself and look for the keys; it is possible when you placed your first key, it defaulted another key at frame zero making a slow transition between your set key and the default, which means if you click anywhere in the timeline before your key, it will move.

I recommend you use the Hierarchy, affect Pivot only command as noted in first response. Put it where you want it without AutoKey or any set keys, then set a key for where you are in the time line, then move to when you want the move to complete and set your second key.

If it is jumping around, it probably is either grouped or part of another part or it has keys already that were set unintentionally. Also be aware that Pivots in a Group act differently than Pivots on the individuals within that same group. Hope this helps!

Kenny

Re: Rotating (Noob question)

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 19:47:03 GMT

Ya all objects have a pivot that you can change by using the hierarchy and affect pivot only option, this brings up a gizmo that allows you to move it to the desired position.