Scale along arbitray direction in edit mode
May be a stupid question. But I can't find how to do it.
A lot of times I need to scale selected vertes/faces along an arbitrary direction. Currently, the quickest way I can find is in object mode change the orientation of the origin, then back to edit mode and use the local axis. This is doable, but not very convenient in my opinion (especially when the mesh is huge and the origin is far out of the screen). I am just wondering if there is any faster way?
If not, is there any addon that can do it?
Also, I wish there could be a feature that you can control the scale direction with the position of your mouse when you hit 's' (like the direction being form the pivot point to your mouse). I think it could be a bit more convenient maybe..
13 Comments
What happens of you use shift to cancel out any other axis you don't want. That should work just fine
Hi @romboutv, Thanks for the reply! I am new to blender. I don't even know this shift cancel method. I tried to search and test, but could not get what you meant. Can you explain a bit more? Especially, there are 360 degree, unlimited directions. How to cancel any other axis I don't want?
Well if you press S for scale, when you then press say Shift + X, it will only scale in Y & Z axis. Then you can also use the pivot point. So press [.], period key, then you can choose what the Pivot Point will be. You can also use scale according to the Normals. But that is in a different menu.
I dont know exactly what you're after. Hope this helps
Scale is depended on the what Pivot Point you use, depending on that you , you choose what direct or axis you want to use. There is also shrink/fatten method, but it works a bit different.
Canceling can be done when you're actually scaling and then simply press ESC
I tried the shift+x method. I didn't know this method. Looks very useful! Thanks!
However that doesn't look like what I am looking for. Guess I wasn't clear.
Say I have a character, and I want to stretch her left arm (make it longer, but not thicker). The character is not in T-pose, so the arm is not aligned global nor local x, y or z. In that case in edit mode, after selecting her arm, how can I stretch it along the direction of her arm, which is not x, y nor z direction? I know I can position pivot point by [.], but that doesn't change its orientation right?
Well first of all, if it's an character you would use an armature so you can animate. On top of that certain rigs have cartoon capabilities, meaning they can stretch and squash limbs. For you instance, go check YouTube and search for rigify tutorials by CGdive. He has the best free series about rigify and how to use it.
If you want to do this in modelling process. You would need a custom pivot point so you can actually still use the axis. You can try and use the 3d cursor and use the orientation. You can can move, rotate the 3d cursor to your wish in the n-panel or properties panel.
Yes I want to do this in modeling process as I do not really plan to rig it.. Maybe I shouldn't call it a character. Do you mean I can only rotate the 3D cursor by typing numbers in the panel? And then if I use [.], the pivot point will align its orientation with 3D cursor? Just want to make sure I understand what you meant.
I think it's will be easier if you did a search on Google or YouTube. There are tons of videos about how to do this.
You can manipulate the 3d cursor by clicking. But it's rotstion and location can also be edited in I believe either the view panel or edit panel in main properties panel. This the so called N-panel, you press N to show/hide it
OK thanks! I will try that.
Hi Dapeng,
I think this video can help you : youtube.com/watch
It's about lighting, but you can also move, scale or rotate objects with this methode.
Cordialy,
Éric
Uh yes this is very useful! Thanks a lot!
Yes, excellent example. Also very good channel. He shows many great subjects and is very and calm when explaining itrms
Hi Romboutv,
I think you should enjoy this channel too : youtube.com/@ianmcglasham/videos
Sincerely,
Éric
Okay thanks, will check out some videos of him. Thanks again for the link