Positioning an Element Using the Transform Tool

Using the Transform tool, you can easily reposition, scale, rotate and even skew layers directly in the Camera view.

When positioning a drawing layer using the Transform tool, always make sure that the Peg Selection Mode is deselected in the Transform tool Tool Properties view. Otherwise, it will limit the selection to pegs in the Camera view.
Refer to Positioning Elements in 3D Space to learn about the 3D Transform tool and how to position elements in 3D space.
Repositioning the Pivot Point Temporarily
Panning a Drawing Layer
Rotating a Drawing Layer
Scaling an Element
Skewing an Element

Repositioning the Pivot Point Temporarily

Some transformations, such as rotation, scale, skew and flip, are made relative to the pivot point position. You can temporarily reposition this pivot point for each transformation using the Transform tool.

To temporarily reposition the pivot point:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool.
2. In the Transform tool Tool Properties view, make sure that the Peg Selection Mode is disabled.
3. In the Camera view, click on your element to select it.

The pivot point will appear in the Camera view.

4. Click on the pivot point and drag it to a new position.

This will be the new position of the pivot point for the current transformation. It will remain in this new position as long as you do not deselect the drawing.

Using the Transform tool to reposition your pivot will temporarily override the existing pivot point position until you complete the current transformation, it then returns automatically to its original position.
When you translate the pivot using the Transform tool, the permanent pivot will appear as a ghost so you know where it is and also from where the animation will be interpolated when you create motion paths. The animation is always interpolated from the original pivot and not the temporary pivot.

Panning a Drawing Layer

To pan a layer using the Transform tool:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool or press [Shift] + [T].
2. In the Transform tool Tool Properties view, make sure the Peg Selection Mode is deselected.
3. In the Camera view, select a drawing layer and drag the selection to a new area. You can select multiple layers to reposition them at once.

Rotating a Drawing Layer

To rotate a layer using the Transform tool:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool or press [Shift] + [T].
2. In the Transform tool Tool Properties view, make sure the Peg Selection Mode is deselected.
3. In the Camera view, select a drawing layer and rotate the transform bonding box handle.

A preference in the Camera tab will add a rotation handle to your object’s bounding box.This preference is off by default.

Scaling an Element

To scale a layer using the Transform tool:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool or press [Shift] + [T].
2. In the Transform tool Tool Properties view, make sure the Peg Selection Mode is deselected.
3. In the Camera view, select a drawing layer and pull or push on the size, top, or corner control point. Hold down [Shift] to lock the selection’s ratio.

Skewing an Element

To skew a layer using the Transform tool:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool or press [Shift] + [T].
2. In the Transform tool Tool Properties view, make sure the Peg Selection Mode is deselected.
3. In the Camera view, select a drawing layer and drag sideway or up and down the sides or top and bottom segments, between the control points.

Related Topics 

Using Advanced Animation Tools to Position a Layer