3ds Max 2012 Bible - Kelly L. Murdock [100]
FIGURE 7.7
The Axis Constraints toolbar includes buttons for restricting transformations to a single axis or plane.
The first four buttons on this toolbar are Restrict axes buttons: Restrict to X (F5); Restrict to Y (F6); Restrict to Z (F7); and the flyout buttons, Restrict to XY, YZ, and ZX Plane (F8). The last button is the Snaps Use Axis Constraints toggle button. The effect of selecting one of the Restrict axes buttons is based on the selected coordinate system. For example, if you click the Restrict to X button and the reference coordinate system is set to View, then the object always transforms to the right because, in the View Coordinate System, the X-axis is always to the right. If you click the Restrict to X button and the coordinate system is set to Local, the axes are attached to the object, so transformations along the X-axis are consistent in all viewports (with this setting, the object does not move in the Left view because it shows only the YZ plane).
Caution
If the axis constraints don't seem to be working, check the Preference Settings dialog box and look at the General panel to make sure that the Reference Coordinate System option is set to Constant. •
Additionally, you can restrict movement to a single plane with the Restrict to Plane flyouts consisting of Restrict to XY, Restrict to YZ, and Restrict to ZX. (Use the F8 key to cycle quickly through the various planes.)
Note
If the Transform Gizmo is enabled, then the axis or plane that is selected in the Axis Constraints toolbar initially is displayed in yellow. If you transform an object using a Transform Gizmo, then the respective Axis Constraints toolbar button is selected after you complete the transform. •
Locking axes transformations
To lock an object's transformation axes on a more permanent basis, go to the Command Panel and select the Hierarchy tab. Click the Link Info button to open the Locks rollout, shown in Figure 7.8. The rollout displays each axis for the three types of transformations: Move, Rotate, and Scale. Make sure that the object is selected, and then click the transformation axes that you want to lock. Be aware that if all Move axes are selected, you won't be able to move the object until you deselect the axes.
Note
Another option is to use the Display floater to freeze the object. •
Locking axes is helpful if you want to prevent accidental scaling of an object or restrict a vehicle's movement to a plane that makes up a road.
FIGURE 7.8
The Locks rollout can prevent any transforms along an axis.
The Locks rollout displays unselected X, Y, and Z check boxes for the Move, Rotate, and Scale transformations. By selecting the check boxes, you limit the axes about which the object can be transformed. For example, if you check the X and Y boxes under the Move transformation, the object can move only in the Z direction of the Local Coordinate System.
Note
These locks work regardless of the axis constraint settings. •
Tutorial: Landing a spaceship in port
Transformations are the most basic object manipulation that you will do and probably the most common. This tutorial includes a spaceship object and a spaceport. The goal is to position the spaceship on the landing pad of the spaceport, but it is too big and in the wrong spot. With a few clever transformations, you'll be set.
To transform a spaceship to land in a spaceport, follow these steps:
1. Open the Transforming spaceship.max file from the Chap 07 directory on the CD.
2. To prevent any extraneous movements of the spaceport, select the spaceport by clicking it. Open the Hierarchy panel, and click the Link Info button. Then in the Locks rollout, select all nine boxes to restrict all transformations so that that spaceport won't be accidentally moved.
3. To position the spaceship over the landing platform, select the spaceship object