Scale content in the 3D View

Use the Scale mode in the 3D view to scale selected content in the scene. This mode is for scaling nodes in the 3D scene.

Enable the Scale mode

• Click the Scale button in the 3D View toolbar.

Editing scale

Scaling an object can be useful to adapt its dimension to the context in which is positioned.

The scaling operations move in reference to the selected object. When you select an object for scaling, if the node supports non-uniform scale from the viewport, the Transformation gizmo showing the transformation axis displays in the viewport at the transformation point.

Note: While performing a scale from the viewport, if the scale snap button is enabled from the 3D View toolbar or if the Shift key is pressed, a constraint on multiples of the starting scale value is applied.

Scale an object uniformly

1. Select the object.

2. Press the Scale button on toolbar to activate Scale mode.

3. Place the mouse inside the white circle area.

4. Left-select and drag. Based on the distance from the gizmo start point to the drag start point, the object scales up or down uniformly on the three axes.

Non-uniform scaling

Note: Only available if the node supports non-uniform scaling and the Transformation gizmo displays.

Scale an object non-uniformly

• Select the object and place the mouse over the desired axis. The axis color becomes brighter. Left-select on the axis and drag the mouse.

When a non-uniform scaling node is selected:

• Choosing between Local and World is prevented, because only Local scale transformations are allowed. This is directly reflected by the displayed Transformation gizmo, so that the users are aware of the direction of the axis along which the transformation is going to happen.

• Choosing the transformation Channel is allowed. This enables user to choose between Transform channel and Offset channel. Depending on which channel is selected, the user’s drag editing will affect the scale field (Transform channel) or the scaleOffset field (Offset channel).

Parent-child transformations

Scaling a transform non-uniformly and then modifying the transform offset can lead to unexpected behaviors. Please consider that in these types of nodes, the transformations happen like in a parent-child relationship, where transform is the parent and transform offset is the child. Both transformations are combined and concur to the final space transformation of the node.

For example, if the transform features a non-uniform scale, all the transformations (scaleOffset, rotationOffset and positionOffset) in the transform offset fields will be affected. Before performing such operations, be sure you understand how space transformations work.

For your reference, here is the order in which transformations are applied: scaleOffset * rotationOffset * positionOffset * scale * rotation * position.

Note: Non-uniform scaling can lead to unexpected distortions and have repercussions on the visual aspects of the mesh.

Move camera around in the scene

See Interacting with mouse and keyboard.