How to use

Table of Contents

Using the Placement Tool #

  • First you need to select at least one object. Any type of object with transformation properties works.
  • Then, put your cursor over any polygon object in your Maya viewport and press your MMB.
  • Your selected object(s) will be moved and oriented on the surface of the object at the location of your mouse cursor.
  • You can also hold down your MMB to interactively place your object.
  • Take a look at the Tool Demo page for video demonstration of the tool.

Hotkey List #

To use the Placement Tool efficiently, you can use hotkeys to quickly toggle the tool modes and settings.

FunctionHotkey
Tool SettingsT
Move ModeW
Rotate ModeE
Scale ModeR
Step Alignment / Step RotationJ
Surface OffsetO
Retain SpacingS
Deselect AllD
Exit ToolESC

Modes #

In addition of the Move mode, the Placement Tool also comes with a Rotate and Scale modes that you can switch between with hotkeys.

After switching mode, you can press and hold the MMB and move your mouse to the left or right to interactively rotate or scale your object(s).

FunctionHotkey
Move ModeW
Rotate ModeE
Scale ModeR

Move Mode #

This is the default mode of the Placement Tool in which you can snap your selected object(s) directly on the surface of any polygons meshes interactively.

To switch to the Move mode, you have to press W on your keyboard while the tool is active.

Straight Line #

You can move your selected object(s) in a straight line according to the last object orientation.
Simply press Shift on your keyboard while using the Placement Tool Move mode.

Position Only #

You can move the position of your selected object(s) along a surface without affecting their orientation.
Simply press Control on your keyboard while using the Placement Tool Move mode.

Orientation Only #

You can change the orientation of your selected object(s) according to another surface without affecting their position.
Simply press Shift + Control on your keyboard while using the Placement Tool Move mode.

Snap to vertex #

While in Move mode, you can snap your object(s) position to a vertex by holding V on your keyboard and placing your mouse over a vertex.

  • This feature is still work in progress, right now you have to be precise when targeting a vertex, it will not work if your mouse is outside of the targeted object surface.

Rotate Mode #

The Rotate mode will allow you to interactively rotate your selected object(s) by pressing your MMB and moving your mouse to the left or right.

While the Placement Tool is active, you can switch to the Rotate mode by pressing E on your keyboard.
You can press J on your keyboard to activate the Step Rotation.

  • Holding Shift will increase the rotation speed or step, holding Control will decrease the rotation speed or step.

Scale Mode #

The Scale mode will allow you to interactively scale your selected object(s) by pressing your MMB and moving your mouse to the left or right.

While the Placement Tool is active, you can switch to the Scale mode by pressing R on your keyboard.

  • Holding Shift will increase the scale speed, holding Control will decrease the scale speed.

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