topic Normal Based Face transform in Maya Modeling Forum

Normal Based Face transform

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 11:08:49 GMT

How can I move a selection of disconnected faces based on their surface normals?

I'm trying to model this grenade from Elysium, and have come across a problem.

It has these ridges going around the top, and I have started by making a cylindar and extruding every other face. When the extrude is done, there's a handy manipulator that shows up allowing me to transform the faces based on their surface normals, which doesn't scale the outer face. I would like to go back in and change that.

Many thanks!

Re: Normal Based Face transform

brentmc — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 08:26:55 GMT

In the channel box click on the polyExtrudeFace operator that you want to modify. This will select the operator.

Next, hit the T hotkey (Show Manipulator tool) to show the extrude manipulator.

When you are done hit Q to get back to the normal select tool.

Re: Normal Based Face transform

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:33:38 GMT

Hmm... That does work, but is there a way to do it without needing to edit the extrusion?

What if I've deleted the history on the mesh?

Re: Normal Based Face transform

slimboJoe — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 01:30:16 GMT

Pick all the faces you wish to move and choose TRANSFORM under the Edit Mesh menu. This introduces in a polyMoveFace node into the history, just so you know.

Re: Normal Based Face transform

dave.rose — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 07:20:12 GMT

You can also hold CTRL and middle drag while the transform tool is activated.

Re: Normal Based Face transform

slimboJoe — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:04:13 GMT

Nice Dave! I now have a new weapon in my arsenal. Man, I gotta read the docs someday...