Moving Objects

Purpose

Lets you move any pickable item, including CVs and edit points.

See Using Absolute and Relative Addressing Modes on page 12 for information.

By selecting from either absolute or relative addressing modes, geometry can be moved to absolute world space coordinates or relative to its current location.

How to Use

1

Select the geometry you want to move before invoking the function. All active geometry is affected by the Move function.

2

Select Xform > Move in the Tool Palette, or click its icon.

The system prompts:

Enter MOVE amounts (x,y,z) (ABS):

Items can be moved interactively using the mouse or by direct keyboard input. Keyboard input can be used to supply absolute world space coordinates or a location relative to the current location of the object.

Moving a Curve-on-Surface Element

A curve-on-surface element is a curve that has been plotted directly onto a surface in UV parameter space rather than being plotted in world space, or one that has been projected onto a surface as a result of a project, project normal, geometry mapping or intersect function. Curve-on-surface elements are typically used in trimming operations, and can be selected using Pick > Object types > Curve on surf.

When you select a curve-on-surface element, you can move it anywhere on the surface (or entirely off the surface) with Xform > Move.

Since a curve-on-surface element is mapped only to the UV parameter space of a surface, once the curve or any portion of the curve is moved off the surface, that portion is no longer displayed.

If a curve-on-surface element is present on a surface, the system automatically assumes that this surface has been set up for a trimming operation. Therefore, the SBD window displays the surface as a target surface, as in the following DAG node structure:

To move a curve-on-surface element back onto the surface where it is visually mapped in UV parameter space:

1

Select Pick > Object types > Curve on surf to pick the curve.

2

Select the appropriate DAG node in the SBD window.

3

Once the curve is selected, select Xform > Move.

The system prompts:

Enter Move amounts (u,v) ABS:

4

Ensure that the system is currently addressing in absolute mode and type the move values 0,0. The curve-on-surface element is moved back to its original position.

Similarly, if an edit point on a curve-on-surface element is moved off the surface, the edit point and curve spans affected by that edit point are no longer displayed.

To select the edit point that has been moved off the surface:

1

Select any visible edit point on the curve-on-surface element.

2

Hold down the Ctrl key, and press either the or key.

Each time an arrow key is pressed, the active edit point is deselected and the previous or next edit point (depending on which arrow key is used) is selected.

3

When the appropriate edit point has been selected, move it back onto the surface.

Move Options

Select Xform > Move- to display the Move Options box.

Type

Global

Objects are moved in the global X-, Y-, and Z-coordinate system.

Local

Each picked object is moved along its local axes, which are displayed at the object's pivot point.

• To move along the object's local X-axis, click and drag the left mouse button.

• To move along the object's local Y-axis, click and drag the middle mouse button.

• To move along the object's local Z-axis, click and drag the right mouse button.

The default local axes for an object are the same as the global axes. You can change the local axes of an object using Xform > Local > Set local axes.

Note:

You can permanently display the local axes of all picked objects by selecting DisplayTgls > Pivots- and toggling Local Axes Display ON in the Toggle Pivots Options box.

Important Note on Construction History

If the object being transformed is a result of an operation that uses construction history (such as Surfaces > Revolve), the integrity of the construction history cannot be maintained.

A confirmation box is displayed asking if you wish to continue even though the construction history will be removed:

• If you select YES, the construction history is deleted and you can proceed with the operation.

• If you select NO, the operation is cancelled.

For more information on construction history, see the Nurbs Modeling book.