3D Compositing with Action > Action: Axis > Manipulating an Object's Axis >

# Moving and Rotating Axes in the Scene

You can move and rotate an axis directly in the scene. You can do this when viewing the scene in Camera, Top, Side, or Front view. See Setting Camera Views.

The selected mode remains in effect until you select a different mode. To select a mode, use the Edit Mode box.

(a) Edit Mode box

Moving an Axis in the Scene

You can move an axis in the scene, as well as objects that do not have exclusive axes, such as lights.

To move an axis directly in the scene:

1. In the Edit Mode box, select Move.
2. Select the axis you want to move and drag it to a new position.

   If the Axis menu is displayed while you move an axis, you can see the Position X, Y, and Z fields update after the axis is placed in its new position. You can also change the X, Y, and Z position by dragging any of the position fields in the Axis menu to move the axis.

TipEnable Shift-Snap (Setup > Preferences), and then hold the Shift key when selecting an axis to snap the selected axis to the surface of the underlying geometry. Not available when in Top, Front, or Side views.

Rotating an Axis in the Scene

You can rotate an axis in the scene, as well as objects that do not have exclusive axes such as lights.

To rotate an axis directly in the scene:

1. From the Edit Mode box, select Rotate.
2. Select the axis or the object you want to rotate.

   A trackball appears in the scene. The trackball consists of three concentric rings. Each ring is used to rotate the object and its axis around one of the three axes.

3. Click and drag one of the trackball rings.

   The axis and its object rotate in the image window. If the Axis menu is displayed while you rotate, you can see the Rotation fields update after the axis is rotated to its new position. You can also rotate the axis by dragging any of the Rotation fields in the Axis menu.