Using the 3D rotation tool in animation allows you to precisely control the orientation of objects in three-dimensional space.
When you select objects on the Stage that can be rotated in 3D, a special 3D rotation control overlay appears directly on top of them. This visual control is your primary interface for manipulating rotation.
Accessing and Understanding the Controls
The 3D rotation control features distinct color-coded handles, each corresponding to a specific axis of rotation:
- Red Control: Used for rotating the selected object around the X-axis.
- Green Control: Used for rotating the selected object around the Y-axis.
- Blue Control: Used for rotating the selected object around the Z-axis.
You can click and drag these colored controls individually to rotate the object around that specific axis.
Here's a quick summary:
| Control Color | Axis of Rotation |
|---|---|
| Red | X-axis |
| Green | Y-axis |
| Blue | Z-axis |
Utilizing the Free Rotate Control
In addition to the individual axis controls, the 3D rotation tool also provides an orange free rotate control. This control offers a different method for rotation:
- Orange Free Rotate Control: This handle allows you to rotate the object around the X and Y axes at the same time. Dragging this control provides a more fluid, combined rotation experience, often useful for visually positioning objects in space.
Default Rotation Mode
It's helpful to know that the default mode for the 3D Rotation tool is global. This means that when you rotate an object using the controls, the rotation is applied relative to the scene's global coordinate system, rather than the object's own local axis system.
By using these distinct controls – the colored rings for single-axis rotation and the orange handle for combined X/Y rotation – animators can effectively manipulate the 3D orientation of objects within their projects.
