The Rotate tool obviously allows users to rotate a selection by a specific number of degrees. By using the various handles the user can easily constrain the movement to a single axis. Holding the 'Ctrl' key will constrain the rotation to fixed 15° intervals. After applying a transform amount, users may press the MMB to re-apply the previous offset amount, making it easy to apply an edit multiple times. The command can be activated in the 'Basic' subtab of the Modeling viewports, in the menu bar under 'Edit >Transform > Rotate' or by pressing the 'E' keyboard shortcut.
In the component modes, 'Vertices', 'Edges', and 'Polygons', the tool affects the selected geometry directly; when nothing is selected, it affects all active forground geometry. Active foreground items are those that are visible and selected (highlighted) in the 'Item List'. In 'Items' mode the tool affects all the currently selected items in the Item List, if nothing is selected, then the tools will apppear to do nothing. In material mode, it works the same way as in any of the component modes. Lastly, in the 'Center and 'Pivot' modes it modifies the Center or Pivots respectively. Note that users will need to physically select either the Center or the Pivot itself, depending on the mode, prior to activating the tool, as in Items mode, with no selection the tool will appear to do nothing.
When users define any of the various Falloffs MODO provides, application of the tool can be attenuated across a user defined area. For more on using Falloffs, please reference the Selection Falloffs page of the doumentation.
Once the tool becomes active, MODO draws the relevant tool handles within the viewport. At this point, users may simply click and haul anywhere inside the desired viewport to interactively rotate the geometry. Additionally, users may prefer to utilize the various tool handles, constraining the application of the tool to a single axis. The tool handles are color coded to match the coloring of the different axes, red for X, green for Y and blue for Z. In some action center modes, there is an additional gray screen space handle around the outside of the tool handles, which rotates the selection based on the viewport cameras postion. Hover the mouse over a specific handle until it changes to a yellow color and then LMB-click and drag to modify. To interactively scale the size of the handles themselves, users may use the ' - ' and ' = ' keys on the keyboard to adjust them; minus makes them smaller, while equals makes them larger.
The Rotate tool also respect the settings for 'Action Center', and will originate theaction from the defined position. For more information on understanding and using Actions Centers, please reference the Action Center page of the documentation.
Transform
Rotation: Users may use the X,Y and Z input fields to apply specific rotation values. When adjusting an object interactively in the viewport, the 'Rotation' input fields will display the current offset distance applied, providing useful user feedback.
Pivot: The 'Pivot' toggle allows users to easily modify an items pivot position without the need to go into Pivots mode.
Gimbal: With the 'Gimbal' toggle enabled, users can assign rotation values numerically, but may arrive at a situation that produces gimbal lock, the loss of one rotation axis when another's value is too close. Users can avoid this by disabling this setting, but are then unable to apply specific values within the input fields.
