Start the command using one of the methods discussed above. Using the 3DMove gizmo is rather simple once you get used to it. Here you can change gizmos and constrain, relocate, or align your gizmo.įigure 2: Right-click on the active gizmo to bring up the gizmo shortcut menu. If you want to use the 3D Move gizmo but have the 3D Scale gizmo activated when you select an object, just right-click the gizmo to bring up the 3D Gizmo shortcut menu. The one you pick will be the gizmo invoked when you select an object while working in a 3D visual style.
Clicking the Gizmo icon will open up a pull-down menu listing each gizmo, plus a setting for No Gizmo. It can be found in the Home tab and the Mesh Model Tab in the 3D workspace. To activate a gizmo, pick the one you want to use from the Subobject panel in the ribbon.
You can also start the gizmos by typing the appropriate command on the command line (3DMOVE, 3DROTATE, or 3DSCALE). Depending on which gizmo you have activated, select the axis or plane you want to move along (or around, if rotating.) Each gizmo has its own look, but they work in a similar fashion. When you select an object, a set of X, Y, and Z axis (and labels) will appear. If you have your gizmos turned on, then activating them is as easy as selecting an object.
If you have used other 3D modeling software such as Autodesk VIZ, then this process will seem similar.įigure 1: The Gizmo flyout is located in the Subobjects panel in the Ribbon. The functionality is the same as before - they move and rotate objects in three dimensions, but now all three functions work like gizmos. It has also made the 3D Move and the 3D Rotate gizmos. Well, it does now! Not only can we work with free-form modeling tools, but we have gizmos too! Let's take a look.ĪutoCAD 2010 adds to the 3D tools that can manipulate objects in, well, three dimensions. One of the biggest complaints about using AutoCAD as a modeling tool was that it did not have mesh or free-form abilities. We have been able to create 3D models and objects in AutoCAD for a very long time, and those tools have improved.
AutoCAD 2007 greatly improved AutoCAD's 3D capabilities and AutoCAD 2010 continues the improvements to make AutoCAD an even better modeling tool. This month we are going to continue by exploring some of the new 3D modeling tools that are available in this new release. TIPniques has been taking a look at the new features in AutoCAD 2010 for the past few issues. Back November 30th, 2010 TIPniques: Gizmos in AutoCAD 2010