Basic Transformations¶

Move¶

Reference

Mode: Object Mode, Edit Mode, and Pose Mode
Menu: Object/Mesh/Curve/Surface ‣ Transform ‣ Move
Hotkey: G

In Object Mode, the move option lets you move objects. Translation means changing location of objects. It also lets you move any elements that make up the object within the 3D space of the active 3D View.

Pressing G activates “Move” transformation mode. The selected object or element then moves freely according to the mouse pointer’s location and camera.

To confirm the action, press LMB.

While Move is active, the amount of change in the X, Y, and Z coordinates is displayed in the footer (at the upper left corner) of the 3D Viewport.

../../../../_images/scene-layout_object_editing_transform_basics_grab-display-values.png

Translation Display.¶

Tip

Moving an object in Object Mode changes the object’s origin. Moving the object’s vertices/edges/faces in Edit Mode does not change the object’s origin.

Rotate¶

Reference

Mode: Object and Edit Modes
Menu: Object/Mesh/Curve/Surface ‣ Transform ‣ Rotate
Hotkey: R

Rotation is also known as a spin, twist, orbit, pivot, revolve, or roll and involves changing the orientation of elements (vertices, edges, faces, objects, etc.) around one or more axes or the Pivot Point.

The angle of rotation is displayed in the footer (at the upper left corner) of the 3D Viewport.

../../../../_images/scene-layout_object_editing_transform_basics_rotate-display-values.png

Rotation values.¶

Trackball Rotation¶

A free rotation mode. Press R R to enable Trackball rotation.

Scale¶

Reference

Mode: Object and Edit Modes
Menu: Object/Mesh/Curve/Surface ‣ Transform ‣ Scale
Hotkey: S

Scaling means changing proportions of objects. Pressing S will enter the Scale transformation mode where the selected element is scaled inward or outward according to the mouse pointer’s location. The element’s scale will increase as the mouse pointer is moved away from the Pivot Point and decrease as the pointer is moved towards it. If the mouse pointer crosses from the original side of the Pivot Point to the opposite side, the scale will continue in the negative direction and flip the element.

../../../../_images/scene-layout_object_editing_transform_basics_scale-basic-usage.png

Basic scale usage. From left to right, the panels show: the original object, a scaled down object, a scaled up object and a scale-flipped object.¶

The amount of scaling will be displayed in the footer of the 3D Viewport.

../../../../_images/scene-layout_object_editing_transform_basics_scale-display-values.png

Scale values.¶

Scale Cage¶

Reference

Mode: Object and Edit Modes
Tool: Toolbar ‣ Scale ‣ Scale Cage

The Scale Cage tool is a bounding box around the object(s) which scales objects from a particular point or axis. The tool works by selecting a scale point and dragging inwards or outwards to adjust the scale accordingly. The origin for the scale will be from the point on the cube directly opposite from the point selected. Selecting points on the faces of the cube scales along one axis, selecting points on the edges of the cube scales along two axes, and selecting points on the vertices of the cube scales along all three axes.

../../../../_images/scene-layout_object_editing_transform_basics_scale-cage.png

Scale Cage tool.¶

Common Options¶

There are multiple ways to transform an element which include:

The keyboard shortcut.
The menu in the header.
The 3D Transform Gizmos.
The Transform panel in the Sidebar region or the Object tab.

Confirm and Cancel¶

LMB click to accept changes.

To cancel the transformation press RMB or Esc instead. This will reset the object or element to its original state.

Adjust Last Operation¶

In the case of the 3D View, there is the possibility to tweak the operation once accepted, using the specific Adjust Last Operation panel corresponding to the tool.

Value

The amount of the transformation.

Vector, Angle

Constrain Axis

Used to constraint the transformation to one or more axes.

X, Y, Z

Orientation

Shows the Orientations of the constraint axes.

Proportional Editing, Falloff, Size

Activates/deactivates Proportional Editing and configures the Falloff type and Size of the Proportional Edit tool.

Edit Texture Space Shift-TShift-Alt-T: This checkbox lets you apply the transformation on the Texture Space, instead of the object or element itself. Only available in translation and scale. This option is also available via the shortcuts, Shift-T (move) and Shift-Alt-T (scale).
Confirm on Release: Shows if either the operation was drag-and-release or move-and-confirm.

Workflow¶

Using Keyboard Shortcuts¶

Use LMB to select the elements you want to transform.
Tap G, or R, or S once to enter the transformation mode.
Transform the elements by moving the mouse.
LMB click to accept changes.