Model Transformations.

Model manipulation in ribbons is performed by holding down the mouse button(s) and moving the cursor in the graphics window. A dial box may also be used for transformations, if ribbons is invoked with the -d option. Picking requires you to hold down the Shift key and click any mouse button. The arrow keys cause small rotations. The numeric keypad keys may be used if you don't have a 3-button mouse.


Mouse Buttons

In the schematic below, the dark filled ovals indicate the button is pressed.

Notes:

Up(larger) and down(smaller) also effect scaling - going along lower-left to upper-right diagonal gives the larges response. For XY rotation, up and right specify clockwise rotation about Y and X, respectively.

Auto-rotation (spinning) is caused by making a quick rotation, followed by release of the mouse. The speed is controlled by the distance moved, which may be too sensitive on some machines. Auto-Rot may be disabled from the View menu.


Keyboard Alternatives

The left/right arrows cause 0.5 degree rotations about Y, and the up/down arrows rotate about X.

For those without a 3-button mouse, the numeric keypad (Num Lock must be OFF):

Notes:

For some PC 2-button mice:
Left and Right work normally, Middle is emulated by holding down both.

For the Mac 1-buton mouse:
Left is the default, Middle is mouse plus the Option key, Right is mouse plus the Apple key,


Dial Box

The cursor must be in the graphics window. The layout of the program is as in the program CHAIN. A schematic is below, with ((Scale)) being the dial in the lower-left corner:

((RotX)) ((TransX))

((RotY)) ((TransY))

((RotZ)) ((TransZ))

((Scale)) ((ThickZ))


Also:

See Menubar
View , eg, Reset View (Alt-o), Stereo, and Rotate +/- 90 .

To save/restore/set a given view, use the Menubar File menu.
The special file to save/restore/set a given view is by convention called a *.orient file.


Ribbons User Manual / UAB-CBSE / carson@uab.edu