LA 2101 : 3ds Max Fundamentals 3

Transforming and Modifying Objects

Concepts & Skills:

You should be able to:

• change the basic parameters (e.g. height, diameter) of an object
• add segments to an object
• apply basic transforms (i.e. move, rotate, scale) to an object
• transform an object using the gizmo
• restrict a transform to 1 or 2 axes
• transform an object using keyboard entry
• copy an object
• instance an object
• reference an object
• apply modifiers to an object
• understand the modifier stack
• understand the importance of the order modifiers are applied

Resources:

• Textbook: Part 1, Chapter 2: Working with Objects
• Textbook: Part 2, Chapter 5: The Critical Modeling Modifiers
• Autodesk 3ds Max Essential Skills:  Create Objects, Editing Objects
• Tutorialabout the modifier stack
  • Tutorial about modifiers and animating them
• Tutorialabout cloning objects
  • Short version

Additional Information:

Editing object parameters:

• If you want to change an objects parameters make sure it is selected by pressing ‘Q’ and clicking on the object.
• Click on the modify panel and change the parameters in the ‘Parameters’ rollout to the desired value, by either clicking and dragging an the arrows or via keyboard entry.
• Here you can also add additional segments to your object.

Transforming objects:

• Select the object by using:
  -‘W’ for moving
  -‘E’ for rotating
  -‘R’ for scaling
• Now a helpful tool will appear, called ‘Gizmo’.
• When hovering over the ‘Gizmo’ the different axes, planes or the entire Gizmo will be highlighted indicating on which axis the transformation will appear.
• Between the axes are planes which you want to use if you want to transform the object on two axes.
• When the entire Gizmo is highlighted the transformation will occur on all axes.

If you want to transform an object accurately the Keyboard entry would be the right choice.

• Select the object and the transformation mode (Move, Rotate, Scale)
• Find the keyboard entry option at the bottom of you screen just under the time slider.
• Type in the value for the transformation you want to achieve on each axis (x,y,z).

Another way is to push the ‘F12’ button or to right-click on the desired transform tool.