Axes Object

description

K-3D uses Axes objects to display coordinate-system axes in editor-mode views. implementing them in this way allows you to set up as many sets of axes as you want, using them as references wherever needed. you can control the position, size, and orientation of each Axes object, and you can control their appearance. Axes objects can be used as Targets for Cameras, Lights, and any other objects that allow you to select a Target. a single Axes object aligned with the X, Y, and Z axes is automatically created at the Origin by K-3D whenever you create a new document.

creator: Shead Data Processing
version: 1.00
interface:

axes_ui1.gif (2881 bytes)

Draw Axes: Toggles whether X, Y, and Z axes will be displayed in editor views by this object.

Draw XY Plane: Toggles whether this object will draw a grid in the XY plane.

Draw YZ Plane: Toggles whether this object will draw a grid in the YZ plane.

Draw XZ Plane: Toggles whether this object will draw a grid in the XZ plane.

Grid Divisions: Controls the number of divisions that will be drawn in the XY, YZ, and XZ planes, if enabled.

Axis / Plane Size: Controls the length of the axes and XY, YZ, and XZ planes, if enabled.

Center XYZ: Controls the origin of the axes / planes.

Angles XYZ: Controls the angle of the axes / planes around the X, Y, and Z axes.

restrictions: None.
use:

create an Axes object by double clicking on "Axes" in the Objectbox. from the Axes dialog you control its’ appearance. when Draw Axes is checked, you will see a red, a green, and a yellow line, aligned with the X, Y, and Z axes respectively. the axes lines intersect at the center of the Axes object, which defaults to the K-3D Origin. you can control the length of the axes lines using the Axis / Plane Size control.

to get additional help envisioning three-dimensional coordinates on your two-dimensional computer screen, you can also turn on any combination of three grids, using the Draw XY Plane, Draw YZ Plane, and Draw XZ Plane checkboxes. each of these draws a gray grid in the plane defined by its’ respective axes. the size of all of the grids is again controlled with the Axis / Plane Size control. the number of squares along each side of each grid is controlled by Grid Divisions.

you can move the center of the Axes object to any point in the K-3D world by entering coordinates in the Center XYZ controls. to change the coordinates interactively, make the Axes dialog the Active Tool and LMB Drag to change the coordinates in the two axes that aren’t active. hold down either control-key and LMB Drag to change the center coordinates along the current Active Axis.

you can rotate the Axes object to any orientation by entering angles in the Angles XYZ controls. to change the orientation interactively, LMB Drag with either shift-key held down to rotate the Axes object around the two axes that aren’t active. hold down either control-key and either shift-key to rotate the Axes object around the current Active Axis.

tips:

use the XZ grid as a Ground Plane ... it can be an extremely useful visual reference.

 

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