CG Form - 3D Modelling with Lightwave

Fit Selected & Fit All

To create a primitive that sits flush with an existing plane, simply select the desired Face and use the 'SHIFT + A' key combination to 'Fit Selected' . This will zoom you into the selection. You can then drag out the new primitive and it should sit flush with the selected face.

This will only work with flat planar Polygons that are perpendicular to a main axis. Results may vary, depending on the primitive.

'Fit All' needs no introduction. Just be aware of the shortcut keys as you'll be using this function time-and-time-again.

Also worth mentioning here is the '0' Numeric key which allows you to toggle between single and multiple Viewports. This function is Viewport dependent so you need to be aware of which Viewport your mouse is over.

Note: The 'Aligner Tool' can also be used to align an object to a Background Plane. It also doubles up to perform a similar function as 'Rest on Ground'.

Display > Viewports > Fit All (a Key)
Display > Viewports > Fit Selected (A Key)
Modify > Move > Aligner

Fit Selected & C-Plane

There's going to be times when you need to perform edits to a section of a model that isn't aligned to one of the main Axis. This could make life difficult if it wasn't for third-party Plugins like 'C-Plane'.

'C-Plane Create' will rotate a model so that the selected polygon is aligned to the Grid. You can then perform the desired edits and then run 'C-Plane Remove' to remove rotation (restoring it to it's original position). This also works on multiple Layers and with a mixed selection of foreground and background Layers.

Download: http://www.flay.com/GetDetail.cfm?ID=1535

BG Conform

This needs little explanation, the pictures pretty much tell the story.

Note: If it seems that your missing tools check the Construct>Additional menu. You may also need to re-scan your Plugins, LScripts and Legacy_Plugins directories.

Modeller > Plug-ins > Edit Plug-ins > Scan Directory (ALT + F11)

Three Methods to 'Set Value'

OPTION 1: Use the Set Value Tool to set absolute positional values for Points in your object.

Select an area containing a series of Points, then use 'CONTROL + v' key combination to bring up the 'Set Value' dialog. Select the desired axis and set the new positional 'Value' for these Points and press OK.

OPTION 2: You can also use the ' i ' Key to bring up the Info Panel which also allows you to set positional values for selected Points.

OPTION 3: If you'd prefer a more hands-on approach, select the Points and then use CTRL + Stretch in one of the orthogonal Viewports, to align the Points. This is great for quickly cleaning up sections of a mesh.

See Also: Set Value Plus http://www.flay.com/GetDetail.CFM?ID=1741 It allows you to set separate values for each co-ordinate.

Detail > Points > Set Value (CTRL + v Key) Display > Selection > Info (i Key) Modify > Stretch > Stretch (h Key + CTRL)

Align Tool - Flip Poly Normals

Remember the 'f' key to Flip any inward facing Polygons.

Also if you come across a number of Polys with Normals facing the wrong direction, you can either select the desired Faces and use the 'Flip' tool or select a broad area of adjacent Polys and use the 'Align' tool.

Detail > Polygons > Align Detail > Polygons > Flip (f Key)

Pivot

The Pivot can be adjusted individually for each Layer of an object. This might be necessary when rigging a model. The default position for the Pivot is set at XYZ (0,0,0).

See Also: PivotBB http://www.flay.com/GetDetail.CFM?ID=1466 This moves the Pivot Point to the centre of the object, based on it's Bounding Box or selected geometry.

Detail > Layers > Pivot

Action Center & Radial Selections

Before applying rotation or stretching an object, make sure you set the appropriate 'Action Center Mode', to achieve the desired result. This gives you the flexibility to determine the centre point of rotation.

This example also demonstrates how to make radial selections with the Bandsaw.

See Also: Check this thread for more information on tire making. http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11620

Action Centre: Mouse (SHIFT + F5 Key) Action Centre: Origin (SHIFT + F6 Key) Action Centre: Pivot (SHIFT + F7 Key) Action Centre: Selection (SHIFT + F8 Key)