Choosing a coordinate system for the Scale Tool

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

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.

Snap Scale

The Snap 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.

Component Use Object Pivot

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

Preserve Child Position

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.

Reflection Settings

See Reflection Settings

Soft Selection settings

See Soft Selection