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To Rotate a Model Around a Pivot Point (Orbit Tool)

Use the Orbit tool to change the orientation of a model.

With the Orbit cursor, the model displayed, drag to rotate around a pivot point while the view remains fixed.

Note: You can access the Orbit tool from the navigation bar and the View Object or Full Navigation wheels. You can also access the Orbit tool from other wheels by pressing the Shift key while holding down the middle mouse button.

Specify the Pivot Point

The pivot point is the base point used when you rotate the model with the Orbit tool. You can specify the pivot point in the following ways:

  • Default pivot point. When you first open a model, the target point of the current view is used as the pivot point for orbiting the model.
  • Select objects. You can select objects before you use the Orbit tool. The pivot point is calculated based on the center of the extents of the selected objects.
  • Center tool. You can use the Center tool to specify a pivot point for orbiting.
  • CTRL+Click and drag. Press and hold down the Ctrl key before clicking the Orbit wedge or while the Orbit tool is active. This option is available only when you use the big and mini Full Navigation wheels or the mini View Object wheel.
    Note: While the Orbit tool is active, you can be press and hold the Ctrl key at any time to move the pivot point.

Orbit a Model

  1. Display one of the View Object or Full Navigation wheels.
  2. Click and hold down the Orbit wedge.

    The cursor changes to the Orbit cursor.

  3. Drag to rotate the model.
    Note: If you use one of the Full Navigation or View Object wheels, use the Center tool to recenter the model in the current view.
  4. Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel.

Orbit an Object

  1. Press Esc to make sure that no tools are active and to clear any previously selected objects.
  2. Select the objects in the model for which you want to define the pivot point.
  3. Display one of the View Object or Full Navigation wheels.
  4. Click and hold down the Orbit wedge.

    The cursor changes to the Orbit cursor.

  5. Drag to rotate the model.
  6. Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel.

Maintain the Up Direction

You can control how the model orbits around the pivot point by choosing to maintain the Up direction of the model. When the Up direction is maintained, orbiting is constrained along the XYaxis and in the Z direction. If you drag horizontally, the camera moves parallel to the XY plane. If you drag vertically, the camera moves along the Z axis.

If the Up direction is not maintained, you can roll the model using the roll ring around the pivot point.

  1. Display the mini View Object wheel or one of the Full Navigation wheels.
  2. Right-click the wheel, and click Options.
  3. In the Options dialog, select Keep Scene Upright For Orbit Tool.
  4. Click OK.

    Orbiting the model is constrained along the XY plane and Z directions.

Roll the Model

  1. Display the mini View Object Wheel or one of the Full Navigation wheels.
  2. Right-click the wheel, and click Options.
  3. In the Options dialog, clear the check mark from Keep Scene Upright For Orbit Tool.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click and hold the Orbit wedge.

    The cursor changes to the Orbit cursor.

  6. Press and hold the Shift key to display the roll ring. Drag to roll the model.
  7. Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel.
Parent topic: About Navigation and the Navigation Bar

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