The Match and Align functions provide a simple means of positioning objects in relation to each other in 3D space for animation, or simply for layout purposes as well. Most option are simple one-shot commands, where users make a selection, and then press the appropriate command button to get the desired result. For finer control, there are also the 'Match' and 'Align' dialogue panels that provide users a way to choose specific options.
Item Position: The 'Item Position' command will match world position of one Item to that of a second Item based on their Center points. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout. Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters; the first item selected will be moved to match the position of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Scale' and 'Rotation' of the selected items.
Center Position: The 'Center Position' command will match the world position of one items Center to that of another items without affecting the geometry location. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout (it may be located under the Item Position' command button, RMB+click to open the popup menu). Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters, the first item selected will have its Center moved to match the Center position of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Scale' and 'Rotation' of the selected items.
Pivot Position: The 'Pivot Position' command will match the world position of one items Pivot to that of another items without affecting the geometry location. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout (it may be located under the 'Item Position' command button, RMB+click to open the popup menu). Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters, the first item selected will have its Pivot moved to match the Pivot position of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Scale' and 'Rotation' of the selected items.
Item Rotation: The 'Item Rotation' command will match world orientation of one Item to that of a second Item based on their Center points. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout. Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters; the first item selected will be rotated to match the rotation of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Position' and 'Scale' of the selected items.
Center Rotation: The 'Center Rotation' command will match the world orientation of one items Center to that of another items without affecting the geometry orientation or position. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout (it may be located under the 'Item Rotation' command button, RMB+click to open the popup menu). Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters, the first item selected will have its Center rotated to match the Center rotation of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Position' and 'Scale' of the selected items.
Pivot Rotation: The 'Pivot Rotation' command will match the world orientation of one items Pivot to that of another items without affecting the geometry orientation or position. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout (it may be located under the 'Item Rotation' command button, RMB+click to open the popup menu). Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters, the first item selected will have its Pivot rotated to match the Pivot rotation of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Position' and 'Scale' of the selected items.
Match Scale: The 'Match Scale' command will match world scale of one Item to that of a second Item based on their Center points. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout. Users will need to select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters; the first item selected will be scaled to match the scale of the second item selected (the target). Note that subsequent selections beyond the first two will be ignored, as will the 'Position' and 'Rotation' of the selected items.
Match... : The 'Match' command will allow the user to select precisely how two elements are matched. Found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox in the 'Setup' interface layout. Users will need to first select the desired elements in 'Items' mode prior to invoking the command. Attention should be paid as to how the elements are selected because selection order matters, the first item selected will be the element acted upon, and the second item selected will act as the item to match. Once the items are selected, clicking the 'Match...' command will open the dialog requester-
Mode: Mode selects what is being affected, 'Item' modifies the item itself, 'Center' will modify only the items Center point and 'Pivot' will modify only the items 'Pivot' point.
Type: 'Type' specifies what value will be matched from one item to another. Option to choose either 'Position', 'Rotation' or 'Scale'.
Axis: 'Axis' specifies what axis will be matched from one item to another. Option to choose between 'X', 'Y', 'Z' or 'All'.
Average: Enabling the "Average' function will tell MODO to average the values of both items selected when applying the final values.
Align...: When setting up item hierarchies for Inverse Kinematics, a parents Center position must point toward its child's Center position for proper results. If the items in the hierarchy were created off-axis, meaning they are rotated away from any of the axes planes, the 'Align' command will help to orient an items Center position so that it aligns directly toward its child's Center. Align can also be used for other general alignments tasks such as fixing improperly oriented joints in a skeleton. It can be found in the 'Setup' subtab of the default toolbox of the 'Setup' interface layout. To use, select the two target item layers in the hierarchy you wish to affect, and run the command. Target items must have a direct parent child relationship defined. Invoking the command opens the following dialog box-
Mode: Choose to modify either the parent items 'Center or 'Pivot' rotations.
Orientation: Options to select the orientation of the item when rotated- 'Direction' defines the axis that will point toward the child, while 'Axis' defines the the actual orientation
Up Axis: Users can choose to use the 'Scene' or one of the three world axes for rotation.
Negative Axis: Orients the 'Up Axis' in the negative direction when enabled.
