topic align object to edge in Maya Modeling Forum

align object to edge

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 17:01:00 GMT

I am looking to be able to align an object to the edge of another object.

attatched diagram to show what i mean.

Re: align object to edge

keith112 — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:26:02 GMT

Hi,

So I think I know what you mean by your picture. So in order to do this you need to set a temporary pivot point to help you out.

1) Select your object that you want to align and press insert. This will put you into pivot mode.

2) Place your pivot on the side of your object which needs to stay flush/attach to your edge.

3) Press insert again to exit pivot mode.

4) Select your geometry and you'll see the new pivot point you created in effect.

5) Select the Move Tool.

6) Hold down "C" and MMB click on the edge. The geometry will snap to that edge.

7) Once you're done you can centre you pivot on your object.

Hope this helps.

Re: align object to edge

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 16:41:51 GMT

Yes this works to translate the object to the edge, although im looking to also make both edges parallel to one another. Rotating the object I want to move as well as translating it.

Thanks,

Greg

Re: align object to edge

keith112 — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 17:43:23 GMT

Okay so if you group the object will that work? Once you have the object in position and want them to move together, if you select both and hit ctrl+G they should be grouped as one. Selecting the group will let you then move them in rotation, translate and scale.

Re: align object to edge

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 18:13:16 GMT

Sorry I think you have misunderstood, probably my fault, poor explenation.

I have added a photo to try to help me explain better.

1 = The problem. 2 objects that need to be aligned with each other.

2 = what you originally suggested.

3 = my intended result.

(I cant just make both of their global Y roations the same and then snap the edges together because the tranforms have been frozen and saved)

Thanks,

Greg

Re: align object to edge

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 19:35:58 GMT

One of the official bonus tools serves this very purpose, specifically, in the bonus tools menu: /Modify/Orient mesh to Edge/Vert tool.

You can check how this works first in this video, by Steven Roselle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofVnLDhtNA

The second example shown by M. Roselle, at 2:07, shows exactly what you're trying to achieve. You just can start by doing what keith suggested to "prepare", let's say, your object to rotate (ie:move its pivot, before using the tool).

hope this helps.

btw, the bonus tools is now a simple setup file, downloaded from autodesk, and it now installs without any headaches (no environmental variable or python path to set, as before), for Maya 2015 or 2016, and since there are more than a few very useful gems in there, there's no reason not to install them.

Re: align object to edge

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:45:44 GMT

Thank you!