Scale Tool

Choosing a coordinate system for the Scale Tool

Use the Tool Settings window to specify the coordinate system (Scale Axis) for the Scale Tool.

Note

Unlike the Move Tool, you can only key scale operations in Object space.

Note

When you scale an object on all 3 axes simultaneously, the transformation always occurs in Object space, regardless of the current setting.

Note

You can only scale objects without components (for example, joints) in Object space.

Object: Scales an object in object space coordinate system. Axis orientation includes rotations on the object itself. If several objects are selected, each object scales the same amount relative to its own object space coordinate system.
Local: Aligns the object to the rotation of the parent object. Scaling is constrained to those axes in the local space coordinate system. The object is aligned to the rotation of the parent object and does not include the rotations on the object itself. If several objects are selected, each object scales the same amount relative to its own object space coordinate system.
World: Scales in the world space coordinate system. The object is aligned to the world space axis. This is the default.
Normal: Scales selected vertices or CVs in the U or V direction of the surface. Typically you would use this option for small sets of CVs. The manipulator indicates the surface Normal, U, and V directions.
Along rotation axis: Aligns to the Rotate Tool’s axes on the object. If you have set the Rotate Axis in the object’s Transform Attributes to a different value (which offsets the orientation of the object relative to the orientation of the object's local rotation axis) this attribute will have an affect; otherwise, Along Rotation Axis is the same as Object.
Normal average: Scales selected vertices or CVs along the average of their combined normals.
Along live object axis: (This setting does not work with Reflection on.) Sets the Scale Tool to move objects along the axis of a live object. Most commonly, you would make a construction plane live, but any object can be set live. When you have a live object and select this option, the move arrows of the Move Tool align to the live construction plane. (The geometry of the live object doesn’t matter; the move aligns to the axes of the live object.)
Custom axis orientation: Enter the x, y, and z offset of the custom axis in radians.
Set to Point: You can set the Scale Tool to scale the selected object along a axis defined by selecting a point.
Set to Edge: You can set the Scale Tool to scale the selected object along an axis defined by an edge.
Set to Face: You can set the Scale Tool to scale the selected object along an axis defined by an face.

Choosing a scale mode

You use the Tool Settings window to specify the behavior for the Scale Tool. You can also use the marking menu when scaling. Press the letter r and over a selected object to display the following marking menu.

Scale pivot: Lets you scale object components about the object’s pivot point.

Default: Lets you scale the selected objects about each object's individual pivot point.
NoteIn component selection mode, all objects scale about a pivot point in the center of the selection.
Object: Lets you scale the selected objects about each object's individual pivot point.
Manip: Lets you scale all selected objects using the manipulator as a pivot point.

Preserve Child Transform: When this option is selected, moving a parent object does not move its children.
Preserve UVs: When this option is selected, moving components in the scene view causes the corresponding UVs to move accordingly in the UV space. The net result is that the texture does not become warped.
Discrete Scale: The Discrete Scale setting enables the Relative option and lets you specify the amount an object is scaled in increments (determined by the Step Size value).
Relative: While Maya scales the object, relative spacing is maintained. Turn this option off if you don’t want to preserve relative spacing while scaling.
Step size: Enter a value to determine the amount an object is scaled in increments when the Discrete Scale option is selected.

Common Selection Options

Selection Style: Determines what happens when you drag the mouse in the scene panel.

Marquee: When you drag the mouse in the scene panel, a marquee appears. When you release the mouse button, components within the marquee are selected.
Camera based selection: When on, you can only select components that are not obstructed by other components relative to the current camera.
Drag: When you drag the mouse in the scene panel, components under the cursor are selected.

Soft Selection settings

See Soft Selection settings

Reflection Settings

See Reflection Settings