Manipulators

Manipulators allow the user to offset, rotate and scale properties of objects in the stage using mouse input rather than numeric values.

Overview
Workflow
Example
Shortcuts & Actions

Manipulators are a feature of the stage added in r17. They allow the user to freely offset, rotate and scale objects such as screens, projectors and props in the stage using a combination of keyboard shortcuts and mouse manipulation. This feature allows for workflows that are more familiar to users from packages such as Blender, 3DS, Cinema4D etc.

  1. Select items in the stage by left clicking on them. When highlighted, items will receive an orange outline.

  2. Use the E, R or T buttons on the keyboard to toggle between offset, rotate and scale modes.

  3. Use the on screen gizmo to manipulate the object(s)

  1. Select items in the stage by left clicking on them. When highlighted, items will receive an orange outline.

  2. Use the E, R or T buttons on the keyboard to toggle between offset, rotate and scale modes.

  3. Use the on screen gizmo to manipulate the object(s) by left clicking and dragging on one of the coloured axis handles.

The Manipulators editor appears as an overlay to the stage when Manipulatorsare enabled via the icon on the track header, or by clicking Toggle 3D control in the actions tab of the stage editor.

Once Manipulators are activated, you can then use the following keyboard shortcuts while using the feature:

Offset (E)

The offset mode allows you to freely offset x, y or z values using the gizmo in the stage.

Rotate (R)

The rotate mode allows you to freely rotate x, y or z values using the gizmo in the stage.

Scale (T)

The scale mode allows you to freely scale x, y or z values using the gizmo in the stage.

Please note: Note that some items, for example Projectors, cannot be scaled.

Object/Global space toggle (G)

Global space is the coordinate system for the entire scene. Its origin is at the center of the stage.

Object space is the coordinate system from an object's point of view. The origin of object space is at the object's centroid, and its axes are rotated with the object.

If multiple objects are selected, object space refers to the centroid of all selected objects with the rotation of the most recently selected.