Manipulators preferences

You can set the following preferences in the Manipulators category of the Preferences window.

Manipulator sizes

Global scale

Specifies the size of the manipulators. The range is from 0.10 to 10.00.

Handle size

Specifies the size of the handle. The range is from 4 to 100.

Line size

Specifies the line thickness size of the rotate manipulator’s rings.

Line pick size

Determines the line thickness used when picking the rotate manipulator rings. The pick size should be the same as line size, so you can identify which handle will be picked by the size of the ring.

Previous state size

Controls the size of the points drawn for a previous feedback. For example, for the Move Tool, an axis is drawn to indicate the previous position, with square points at the end of the axes. This controls the size of the squares.

Rotate and scale manipulators also have previous state feedback. This type of feedback is shown only when you drag; it disappears as soon as you release the mouse.

Show Manipulator

Default manipulator

You can specify a Default Manipulator option in the Show Manipulator section to control what manipulator, if any, appears when you select the Show Manipulator Tool. The Default Manipulator options include:

None

Does not display a manipulator.

Translate

Displays the Move Tool’s manipulator.

Rotate

Displays the Rotate Tool’s manipulator.

Scale

Displays the Scale Tool’s manipulator.

Transform

Displays the Transform (triple) manipulator.

Smart

(Default) Checks the first child and if it is a shape displays the history manipulator for the shape. Otherwise displays the Transform (triple) manipulator.

Manipulator Visibility

Hide Manipulator

When the manipulator is hidden, selectable components are more visible, making it easy to add or subtract components from your selection. You can hide the manipulator When Ctrl is held, When Shift is held, or When Ctrl + Shift is held.

Component Manipulators

Reposition using middle mouse button

Reposition the move, rotate, and scale manipulators using the middle mouse button in component mode. This moves the pivot point and manipulator in a single action.

When you MMB-click on an area of the screen, the manipulator moves to that location and immediately is active. This is useful with the Rotate Tool as the pivot point and the manipulator move in a single action.

Handle Selection

Remember active handles

When enabled, Maya remembers the last handle that was active and selects it after you deselect and reselect an object.

Manipulator Plane Handles

Plane handles

Controls the visibility of the plane handles. Plane handles are turned on by default.

Plane handle offset

Sets the distance between the plane handles and the center of the manipulator. See Use manipulators.