I've got a group of objects which I want to rotate on the screen. When I go to token rotate (G) the individual bits of my object rotate about their own centres, not about the centre of the whole object. I gather that if I can 'ungroup' (or 'group'?) the object I will be given an option to "Center of all subgroups’ mesh bounding" but I can't work out how to do that.
I just want a simple rotating object made of several bits.
I'd be really grateful if you could help me sort this out.
What type of objects are you applying the Token Rotate to?
That effect is for Text, and for it to work correctly, the text needs to remain a complex object, not a simple object.
When grouping a number of objects, and to have the pivot in the center of all objects, select the last option, Keep the same pivot as parents. The objects will then rotate about the center of the group, and not any individual object center..
Many thanks for your help Ron. I really appreciate it.
I'm trying to make a 3D rotating school shield made of several different objects. I'm using Ulead Cool 3D (is that the same as production studio?). I would be very happy to send you a copy of the file if that would help you in sorting my problem out or I could put it on my web site...
I had a look for the 'last option, Keep the same pivot as parents' but couldn't find it. Sorry to be so dense. I think my problem is that I don't know how to group objects. When I made up my object there was already a thing in object manager called [group]. I didn't do anything to make this (as far as I know). Might I need to ungroup and then group again to get the options you spoke about? Do you mean the last option in token rotate (G)?
I use Cool 3D Production Studio, which is a little different then Cool 3D. It just has more options available.
Grouping Objects
1. Have the Object Manager visible.
2. Select all the objects that you want to Group together, by either Clicking on the first object, holding the Shift key, then clicking on the last, or use the Ctl Key while selecting.
3. Click on the Group icon in the Object Manager, it's the first one on the left.
4. Now a the Pivot Settings dialog box will open. This dialog box will have the options:
a. Center of all groups Mesh Bounding
b. Center of all groups Pivots
c. Keep the same Pivots as Parents. NOTE
While typing this I'm trying an example, using each of the above 3 Pivot settings, just to make sure I'm telling you correctly.
My findings are that as long as you set the rotation on the Group then it will rotate around the center of the group. It will also maintain all of the rotations for each of the individual objects.
5. In the Object Manager click on the + to close, or collapse the group. Then set your roation for the group.
There is always a Group in Cool 3D Object Manager. Then you can add as many Subgroups to this Group, and name them whatever you want. You can also add subgroups to the groups you create.
In order to see the dialog, yes you can Ungroup and then Group them. Unless you have checked the box at the bottom of the dialog to not show it again. If so go to File>Preferences, and Check the box beside, Option to Create new group.
Now for the Token Rotate(G)
I don't know how you managed to apply that effect to anything other then text. I've tried however the effect is only available when I have a text object selected.
Generally when I rotate something I use the digital input boxes, the ones with the X__ Y__ Z__ (axis), located on the Location Toolbar. You can either type in the amount, use the drop down slider, or click on the up/down arrows to change the amount.
Now for a last bit of information ( I have to leave for work shortly), When you want to make changes to a group, always collapse the group, and highlight the group you want to change, either position, rotation, or scaling. You can then drag from anywhere on the stage. Holding the Shift key constrains the movement to one axis. If you drag, then also watch the digital meters on the Location toolbar, and you can get a feel for the amount and how to change them to get the objects next location. For instance, a rotation setting of 360 is different then one of -360.
The main thing is to play, experiment, and have fun...
It works beautifully. It was your advice about the location toolbar which really sorted it for me. I'm doing this to make our school web site look cooler.
I'm really grateful for your help and patience with an absolute beginner.
[/img]