Orbit Tool

Orbit Tool

The Orbit tool rotates the current view around a model based on a fixed pivot point.

You use the Orbit tool to change the orientation of a model. The cursor changes to the Orbit cursor. As you drag the cursor, the model rotates around a pivot point while the view remains fixed.

Specify the Pivot Point

The pivot point is the base point used when rotating the model with the Orbit tool. You can specify the pivot point in the following ways:

• Default pivot point. When you first open a model, the target point of the current view is used as the pivot point for orbiting the model.
• Select objects. You can select objects before the Orbit tool is used to calculate the pivot point. The pivot point is calculated based on the center of the extents of the selected objects.
• Center tool. You can specify a point on the model to use as the pivot point for orbiting with the Center tool.
• CTRL+Click and drag. Press and hold down the CTRL key before clicking the Orbit wedge or while the Orbit tool is active; then drag to the point on the model you want to use as the pivot point. This option is only available when using the big and mini Full Navigation wheels or the mini View Object wheel.
  NoteWhile the Orbit tool is active, you can be press and hold the CTRL key at anytime to move the pivot point used by the Orbit tool.

Maintain Up Direction

You can control how the model orbits around the pivot point by choosing to maintain the up direction of the model. When the up direction is maintained, orbiting is constrained along the XY axis and in the Z direction. If you drag horizontally, the camera moves parallel to the XY plane. If you drag vertically, the camera moves along the Z axis.
If the up direction is not maintained, you can roll the model using the roll ring which is centered around the pivot point. Use the properties dialog box for the SteeringWheels to control whether the up direction is maintained or not for the Orbit tool.