Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
It is easy to understand the level of control we have over the 3D model imported.
The basic operations such as move, rotate, and scale are covered with the tools
shown in the screenshot. In any 3D-modeling package, when we use the rotate
tool, there is a gizmo that represents the
x
,
y
, and
z
axes, and although, in Lumion,
we don't have this gizmo, it is possible to perform the same task using the three
rotation options.
The process is really simple. This is what you need to do:
1. First, select the tool.
2. Then, select the 3D model with the left mouse button.
3.
Finally, hold the left mouse button and drag to tweak the 3D model.
When the 3D model is selected, Lumion gives us this information by highlighting the
3D model, and using visual aids, it tells us the direction in which we are rotating the
3D model. When moving, it gives us the offset distance from the initial point, and
when changing the height, it tells us the distance from the ground.
By now, you might think that it is not very productive to click on a button to activate
a tool for every task. This is true, and the reason why we should use hotkeys is to
access these tools.
Making good use of hotkeys
It might not look like a big issue, but using hotkeys can improve the speed of our
work with 3D models. Changing quickly from one tool to another helps us focus on
the task and avoid some extra clicks. The hotkeys to control the 3D model are:
•
M
: This is used to move the 3D model
•
L
: This is used to scale the 3D model
•
R
: This is used to rotate the 3D model's heading
•
P
: This is used to rotate the 3D model's pitch
•
B
: This is used to rotate the 3D model's bank
•
H
: This is used to change the height
Let's try these hotkeys? What if our first action is rotating the 3D model? Well,
according to the preceding list, we need to press the
R
key and select the 3D model,
and we now realize that this hotkey is not working. What happens is that when we
use the hotkeys to change from one tool to another, we need to press and hold the
key in order to perform the adjustment. If we don't press and hold the key, Lumion
automatically changes back to the Move object tool. It is difficult to say whether this
is a bug or a way in which Lumion ensures that, by default, the Move object tool is
always selected.
