rotation vs 'rotation axis

rotation vs 'rotation axis

Anonymous
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Message 1 of 6

rotation vs 'rotation axis

Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi,

 

What's the difference between rotation and 'rotation axis' in attribute editor? And what is the purpose of the latter? Maya help is very sparing in the description.

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Message 2 of 6

t_chanma
Autodesk
Autodesk

Hi there,

 

Rotation refers to the current orientation of an object.  A rotation axis is the reference point for that rotation.

So for example, suppose this block here has a current rotation of 0,0,0:

 

block.jpg

 

If I were to rotate it 90 degrees (the rotation) in the Z-axis (the rotation axis) I get this:

 

block90z.jpg

 

Whereas if I rotate it 90 degrees (the rotation) in the Y-axis (the rotation axis), I get this:

 

block90y.jpg

 

And if I rotate it 45 degrees in both, I get this: 

 

block45z45y.jpg

 

So as you can see, the Rotation Axis is important for defining which direction your object will go when you rotate it.

 

Hope that helps.



Matt C

Senior Content Experience Designer

Maya Documentation | Maya Learning Channel |
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Message 3 of 6

Anonymous
Not applicable

Saying 'rotation axis' (I mispelled it - it is 'rotate axis') I mean explicit term used in attribute editor from transform's node 'transform attributes'. I see no relation to pivot point here. I can change objects's pivot point and values from 'rotatre axis' stay the same.

 

obraz.png

 

What is that and what's the purpose of it? It seems unrelated to 'rotate pivot ?? X/Y/Z' non-keyable atributes.

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Message 4 of 6

t_chanma
Autodesk
Autodesk

Ah I see what you mean now.  So the Rotate Axis basically lets you adjust an object's local frame of reference.  So imagine a box that looked like this when everything is set to 0,0,0:

 

box1.png

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you then turned the Rotate Axis by 45 degrees, the box would then look like this: 

 

box45.png

 

But, as far as the box is concerned, it is still 0,0,0.  

 

To think about it another way, think about yourself sitting in a car.  Imagine you turn 90 degrees to your right (maybe to talk to a passenger).  This means you are now facing 0,0,90.  However, if you turn the entire car 90 degrees to the right, then you yourself are still facing forward (0,0,0).  This is essentially the same thing.



Matt C

Senior Content Experience Designer

Maya Documentation | Maya Learning Channel |
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Message 5 of 6

Anonymous
Not applicable

OK - but does it have any use? The same way one can parent an object and have all transforms reset then or reset them without parenting.

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Message 6 of 6

t_chanma
Autodesk
Autodesk
Accepted solution

Yes, it would essentially have all the same uses as if you parented that object under a transformed group node - but without having to add extra nodes to your scene.  So for example, maybe you decide your rocketship model should have a horizontal orientation instead of a vertical one, or your planet needs to have an off-center oriention (diagonal).



Matt C

Senior Content Experience Designer

Maya Documentation | Maya Learning Channel |
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