Object Editing Tools

Using the Tool Assistant or the 3D Editor toolbar, you can perform various functions on selected 3D objects including selecting, editing, duplicating, and transforming objects, and moving the objects’ pivot point. Animation can be edited using the Edit keyframe animation tool on the 3D Editor toolbar, in conjunction with the other 3D Editor tools.

Transforming objects can also be performed using the Object Position controls. These give you an interactive display of an object’s position, rotation, and scale that allows precise object transformation. This can be helpful for more accurate animation control and alignment for precision training applications or simulations.

Duplicating Objects

You can also use the 3D Editor Move, Rotate, and Scale tools to copy and instance objects. Instancing creates the same object so that the new objects have the same mesh but different transformation matrices (position, orientation, and scale). Copying creates another object but the mesh is no longer shared.

Transforming Objects

Axes “connections” are displayed between each axis when you transform an object. The type of connection that is displayed depends on the transform tool and the axes on which you are transforming. When you select an axis, it is highlighted in yellow. If you select more than one axis, the axes connection is also highlighted in yellow.

For example, the Move tool displays a square between each axis and if you select more than one axis using the Move tool, both axes and the squares between them are displayed in yellow.



A: Movement along the X axis


B: Movement along the X and Y axes


C: Movement along the X, Y, and Z axes


D: Rotation about the X axis


E: Scaling on the X and Z axes


F: Scaling on the X, Y, and Z axes

Transform Rules

Certain rules apply to transforming; these determine movement, rotation, scaling, and moving pivot points.

  • Objects and pivot points are moved relative to the selected tool, and the axis or axes selected.

  • You can perform movement on no more than two axes at one time. Note that if only one axis is selected, the objects move on that axis. If two axes are selected, the model moves on that surface.

  • You can perform rotation on one axis only at one time. As you rotate, the viewport label displays the degree of rotation.

  • You can perform scaling on one, two and three axes at one time.

  • Moving a pivot point can be performed on no more than two axes at one time.

  • Rotating a pivot point can be performed on one axis only at one time.