Pivot

Command entry:Make a selection in the viewport.

Hierarchy panel

Pivot button

Every object has a pivot point that represents its local center and local coordinate system.

The pivot point of an object is used for the following:

Functions as the center of rotation and scaling when you use the Pivot Point transform center.
Sets the default location of a modifier center.
Defines the transform relationship for the object's linked children.
Defines the joint location for inverse kinematics (IK).

You can adjust the position and orientation of an object's pivot point at any time using the buttons in the Adjust Pivot rollout in the Hierarchy panel. Adjusting an object's pivot has no effect on any children linked to that object.

NoteYou cannot animate the functions under the Adjust Pivot rollout. Adjusting an object's pivot on any frame changes it for the entire animation. Use caution when adjusting the pivot of an animated object. Adjusting the pivot on one frame might produce unexpected results in another part of the animation. You should adjust the pivot point to the location you want, before you start to animate, if possible.

TipUse the Link constraint to simulate the effect of an animated pivot.

Adjust Pivot Rollout
You can adjust the position and orientation of an object's pivot point at any time using the buttons in the Adjust Pivot rollout. Adjusting an object's pivot has no effect on any children linked to that object.
Working Pivot Rollout
As an alternative to the object’s own pivot, you can use the working pivot for applying transforms to any object in the scene. This allows you, for example, to rotate an object about an arbitrary, persistent point in the scene without interfering with the object’s own pivot.
Adjust Transform Rollout
You can transform an object and its pivot without affecting its children using the buttons in Adjust Transform rollout. Adjusting an object's transforms has no effect on any children linked to that object.
Skin Pose Rollout
These controls function as a copy/paste system for setting up character animation. For more information, see Skin Pose Commands.

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