Page 320 - Kitab3DsMax

Part III: Modeling Basics

The Constant Screen Size option keeps the size of the Point object constant, regardless of how much you
zoom in or out of the scene. The Draw on Top option draws the Point object above all other scene objects,
making it easy to locate. The main purpose for the Point object is to mark positions within the scene.

Caution
Point objects are difficult to see and easy to lose. If you use a point object, be sure to name it so you can find it
easily in the Select from Scene dialog box. n

Measuring coordinate distances
The Helpers category also includes several handy utilities for measuring dimensions and directions. These
are the Tape, Protractor, and Compass objects. The units are all based on the current selected system units.

Using the Measure Distance tool
In the Tools menu is a command to Measure Distance. This tool is easy to use. Just select it, and click at the
starting point and again at the ending point; the distance between the two clicks is shown in the Status Bar
at the bottom of the interface. Measure Distance also reports the Delta values in the X, Y, and Z directions.
You can use this tool with the Snap feature enabled for accurate measurements.

Using the Tape helper
You use the Tape object to measure distances. To use it, simply drag the distance that you would like to
measure and view the resulting dimension in the Parameters rollout. You can also set the length of the Tape
object using the Specify Length option. You can move and reposition the end points of the Tape object with
the Select and Move button, but the Rotate and Scale buttons have no effect.

Using the Protractor helper
The Protractor object works in a manner similar to the Tape object, but it measures the angle between two
objects. To use the Protractor object, click in a viewport to position the Protractor object. (The Protractor object
looks like two pyramids aligned point to point and represents the origin of the angle.) Then click the Pick
Object 1 button, and select an object in the scene. A line is drawn from the Protractor object to the selected
object. Next, click the Pick Object 2 button. The angle-formed objects and the Protractor object are displayed
in the Parameters rollout. The value changes when either of the selected objects or the Protractor is moved.

Note
All measurement values are presented in gray fields within the Parameters rollout. This gray field indicates that
the value cannot be modified. n
Using the Compass helper
The Compass object identifies North, East, West, and South positions on a planar star-shaped object. You
can drag the Compass object to increase its size.

Cross-Ref
The Grid helper object is discussed along with grids in Chapter 7, “Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and
Snapping.” The Compass object is mainly used in conjunction with the Sunlight System, which you can learn
about in Chapter 20, “Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques.” n

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