How to solve it about the axis direction when i in edit poly object mode

[dicky_yuen9]

 

Hello everyone, I am a newbie. Because of some restrictions, I can only use the 2016 version. I would like to ask about the axis direction. This problem has troubled me for a while. When modeling, I want to rotate my object, but the axis direction is wrong. Not what l expected. Regardless of whether I switched to local mode, I have thought about whether it affects the object mode in my edit poly. I hope you can help me solve the problem.

[RobH2]

This will sound difficult but it's not once you do it a few times. Max should have a better and automatic tool to do this but I've never found one. When nothing else works to get the pivot aligned try this: (I posted a video too)

1. Go to the 'Geometry' panel and then to 'Helpers'

2. Click 'Grid' and make sure 'AutoGrid' is on

3. Click the side of your object with the bad axis and drag to create a grid on that surface. 

4. 'Right Click' on the new grid and choose 'Activate Grid'

5.  Go back to 'Geometry' and pick a 'Box' and activate 'AutoGrid'

6. Create a 'box' on the new Grid Object. Add an 'Edit Poly' modifier to the new box. 

7. Click 'Attach' and then click the original object. 

8. Select 'Element' subobject mode and select the new box you drew on the grid in #6 and delete it. 

9. Delete the Grid. 

10. Click the original object. The Axis should be aligned. Now move or snap it to where you want it. 

[dicky_yuen9]

thank you so much! This is a good method, thank you for your patient teaching

[RobH2]

Happy to help. Take care...

[crmovers2]

I understand the frustration of dealing with axis direction issues, especially when you're new to modeling. Here's a method that might help align your object's axis correctly:

1. Head to the 'Geometry' panel and navigate to 'Helpers'.
2. Ensure that 'AutoGrid' is activated by clicking on 'Grid'.
3. Click on the side of your object where the axis is misaligned to create a grid on that surface.
4. Right-click on the new grid and select 'Activate Grid'.
5. Return to the 'Geometry' panel and choose a 'Box', then activate 'AutoGrid'.
6. Create a box on the new grid object and apply an 'Edit Poly' modifier to it.
7. Click 'Attach' and then select the original object.
8. Switch to 'Element' subobject mode, select the new box, and delete it.
9. Finally, delete the grid.
10. Now, your original object's axis should be aligned correctly. You can then move or snap it to your desired position.

[crmovers2]

I understand the frustration of dealing with axis direction issues, especially when you're new to modeling. Here's a method that might help align your object's axis correctly:

Head to the 'Geometry' panel and navigate to 'Helpers'.
Ensure that 'AutoGrid' is activated by clicking on 'Grid'.
Click on the side of your object where the axis is misaligned to create a grid on that surface.
Right-click on the new grid and select 'Activate Grid'.
Return to the 'Geometry' panel and choose a 'Box', then activate 'AutoGrid'.
Create a box on the new grid object and apply an 'Edit Poly' modifier to it.
Click 'Attach' and then select the original object.
Switch to 'Element' subobject mode, select the new box, and delete it.
Finally, delete the grid.
Now, your original object's axis should be aligned correctly. You can then move or snap it to your desired position.

[leeminardi]

I know I may be a bit late on this and that you probably have moved on but the task of repositioning and reorienting a pivot in a more friendly manner has been bugging me.  The following script enables the user to redefine a pivot via three points.

Point #1 is the new position of the pivot.

Point #2 a point on the x axis of the redefined pivot.

Point #3 a point on the XY plane of the redefined pivot.

-- Modifies the selected object pivot such that its location 
-- and orientation are defined by three user specified points.
-- L. Minardi  4/21/2024
obj = selection[1]
v1 = pickPoint prompt:"\nPick new pivot origin: " snap:#3D
v2 = pickPoint prompt:"\nPick point on new X axis: " snap:#3D
v3 = pickPoint prompt:"\nPick point on new XY plane: " snap:#3D
obj.pivot = v1
mobj = obj.transform
xaxis = normalize(v2 - v1)
zaxis = normalize(cross  (v2 - v1)(v3 - v1))
yaxis = normalize(cross zaxis xaxis)
m3p = (matrix3 xaxis yaxis zaxis obj.transform.pos)	
obj.transform =  mobj * inverse(m3p)
resetxform obj
maxOps.CollapseNodeTo obj 1 true
obj.transform = m3p

[RobH2]

Lee, this is awesone. To help new users, can you just explain how to implement it properly? New users will see this and have no idea what to do with the script. 

[leeminardi]

@RobH2 glad you like the script.  Here are detailed instructions on how to use it.

Let's say that you have an object that has a pivot where you don't want it and it's at a wierd orientation.  For example, with the local coordinate system active we have the following.

To reposition the pivot at a corner of the object with the x axis parallel to the long side and the z axis perpendicular to the top surface do the following"

1. Select the object
2. Run the script Pivot3Points.ms (Utilities tab, Run Script).
3. With snaps set to Vertex respond to the prompts as follows:
   Pick new pivot origin:  1
   Pick point on new X axis: 2
   Pick point on new XY plane: 3

The pivot will be repositioned like this.

[RobH2]

I haven't run it yet but letting people know how to run scripts is helpful. Thanks for the great directions for everyone Lee.