Viewer window Reference mode tools

The Viewer window Reference mode tools lets you select between Global, Local, and Additive Reference modes. The Additive Reference mode tool is only available when you are in Rotation mode.

Reference modes affect how the translation, rotation, and scaling values of an object are displayed. See Object global, local and additive reference modes.

To select a Reference mode:

Click the Reference mode icon .
Select one of the four modes.

Global

Activates Global Reference mode, so the selected transformation values of an object are displayed relative to the center of the scene (the global axis).

Local

Activates Local Reference mode, so that the transformation values of selected object are displayed relative to the center of the object, or from the center of its parent, if it is parented.

If the selected object does not have a parent, the values of Local mode are the same as Global mode.

Parent

Note: Parent Reference mode is available when you are in Translation mode.

This mode translates along the axes of the object's parent. This is the only mode where the axes of interaction correspond exactly to the coordinates of the object's local position for the purpose of animation.

When using the Temporary Pivot Shift tool, the Parent mode is acting as the local mode.

Additive

Note: Additive Reference mode is available when you are in Rotation mode. In addition, it cannot be used when you have selected a Control rig effector while in Full Body or Body Part keying mode.

Activates Additive Reference mode so that the selected objects transformation values reflect its actual coordinates on the current layer only. This is useful when you are working with FCurve values.