9.5.2

TOOLS MENU • 481
8. Tools Menu
Move
This tool lets you place the selected object or element anywhere in a viewport, subject to other options
like snap, whether certain axes are locked, etc. When moving objects, CINEMA 4D distinguishes
between the world coordinate system and the local object coordinate system. This distinction is
especially noticeable when movement takes place in different axial systems and only the X-axis is
activated, say.
Let’s assume you are moving a cuboid which is positioned somewhat askew relative to the world
coordinate system and you have locked the Y-axis and Z-axis for movement. If you move within the
world coordinate system, the cuboid moves parallel to the X-axis of the world system (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Figure 2.
If, on the other hand, you select the object coordinate system, the cuboid moves along its own (the
object’s) X-axis, which results in a quite different behavior as you can see in Figure 2. Both can be
useful but you should always be aware which you are currently using (check on the Tools menu — if
Coordinate System is enabled, world coordinates are in use).
The X, Y and Z icons enable you to lock specic axes. This can be useful, for example, when you have
constructed an object that is at oor level. If you now move it the perspective views, it changes its Y
value and could, in the worst case, end up below the oor. By taking the precaution of locking the
Y-axis the object remains on the oor and moves only in the other directions.
A left/right drag moves the object horizontally on the screen; an up/down drag moves it vertically.
Dragging left and right with the right mouse button (Windows) or Command key (Mac OS) held down
moves the object into the screen and out of it.