Transforms change the location, rotation, number and shape of whole objects. They can Move , Copy , Rotate , Scale Mirror , Array , Shear , Twist , Bend , and Taper amongst other actions.

The transform commands do not break the objects into pieces or cut holes in them. They are geometry agnostic, meaning they can modify any geometry type supported by Rhino.

Move

There are different ways of moving objects in Rhino:

• Using the Gumball .
• Dragging objects with your mouse.
• Using the Move command.
• Dragging objects perpendicular to the CPlane using Elevator Mode.

Move Objects Using Gumball:

The Gumball is a ubiquotous tool for transforming objects.

In the following clip, you’ll learn how to move objects using the Gumball :

• Lock the movement in one-direction using any of the arrow widgets.
• Lock the movement in two-directions using any of the plane widgets.

Move Objects by Dragging:

The quickest way to move objects is to select the object and drag it. Rhino provides tools for accurately dragging objects. You can drag objects in any viewport. Object snaps help align objects to each other.

1. Open Drag-Objects.3dm in Rhino .
2. Deactivate the Gumball to avoid confusion.
3. Activate Cen from the Osnap Control .
4. Move the mouse cursor close to the cone’s bottom edge, hold down the left mouse button until the Cen Osnap tooltip displays.

1. Drag the cone to the top edge of the cylinder. The Cen object snap tooltip displays.
2. Release the mouse button to place the cone.

Move Objects Using Move:

Use the Move command when you want to move an object a certain distance or if you want to use object snaps to place an object accurately. The Move command requires a from and to location.

1. Open Move-Sphere.3dm in Rhino .

1. Select the sphere.
2. From the Transform menu, select Move.
3. Make sure Cen is active in the Osnap Control .
4. At the Point to move from prompt, move the mouse around the edge of the sphere until the Cen tooltip displays. Then click.

1. At the Point to move to prompt, type 0,0,0.

Move Objects in the Z Direction:

The default movement in Rhino is constrained to the CPlane X and Y directions (axis). You can move objects in the Z direction of a CPlane by pressing the CTRL key and dragging. This is called elevator mode.

Copy

There are various ways of copying objects in Rhino:

• Press ALT and drag using the Gumball arrow.
• Press ALT and drag objects with your mouse.
• Use the Copy command.

Copy Objects Using Gumball

The Gumball is a ubiquotous tool for transforming objects.

In the following clip, you’ll learn how to copy objects using the Gumball :

• One-direction: press ALT and drag an arrow widget.
• Two-directions: press ALT and drag a plane widget.

Copy Objects by Dragging

The quickest way to copy objects is to select the object and drag it, then tap the ALT key. Rhino provides tools for accurately dragging objects. You can drag objects in any viewport. Object snaps help align objects to each other.

1. Open Drag-Objects.3dm in Rhino .
2. Deactivate the Gumball to avoid confusion.
3. Select the cylinder.
4. Start dragging it, do not let go.
5. Now press ALT key. You’ve made a copy!

Copy Objects Using Copy

The Copy command makes copies of objects. Like the Move command, it requires a from and to location.

1. Open Copy-Objects.3dm in Rhino .
2. Select the box.
3. From the Transform menu, select Copy.
4. At the Point to copy from prompt, click anywhere in the viewport. Then right-click.
5. At the Point to copy to prompt, click elsewhere in the viewport. Continue clicking to copy multiple times.
6. Press Enter to end the command.

7. On the Layer panel:
   • turn on Layer 01.
   • turn off Default.
8. Activate Cen in the Osnap Control .
9. Select the truncated cone.
10. From the Transform menu, select Copy.
11. At the Point to copy from prompt, hover the cursor down to the cone’s bottom edge, until the Cen Osnap tooltip displays. Then left-click.

12. At the Point to copy to prompt, hover the cursor to the cylinder’s top edge, until the Cen Osnap tooltip displays. Then left-click.

13. Press Enter to end the command.
14. Try it on your own! Copy the sphere from its center to the center of the truncated cones.

Rotate

There are various ways of rotating objects in Rhino:

• Using the Gumball .
• Using the Rotate command.

Rotate Objects Using Gumball

The Gumball is a ubiquotous tool for transforming objects.

In the following clip, you’ll learn how to rotate objects using the Gumball :

• Free rotation: select an object and drag any of the Gumball Arcs .
• At an angle: select an object and click inside any Gumball Arc to enter a specific angle.

Rotate Objects Using Rotate

The Rotate command rotates objects around a center point. The CPlane Z direction will be used as the rotation axis. In this exercise, we will learn how to rotate using an angle as well as two reference points.

1. Open Rotate-Objects.3dm in Rhino .
2. Deactivate the Gumball to avoid confusion.
3. Activate End, Near and Int only in the Osnap Control .
4. Select the cyan box.
5. From the Transform menu, select Rotate.
6. At the Center of rotation prompt, click on the top-left corner of the box.
7. At the Angle… prompt, type 40. Press Enter .

8. Set the Display Mode to Wireframe.
9. Select the purple box.
10. From the Transform menu, select Rotate.
11. At the Center of rotation prompt, click at the intersection of the 3 boxes.
12. At the Angle or first reference point prompt, snap to the bottom-right corner of the purple box.
13. At the Second reference point prompt, snap to the inner edge of the cyan box.

Scale

There are various ways of scaling objects in Rhino:

• Using the Gumball .
• Using the Scale command.

Scale Objects Using Gumball

The Gumball is a ubiquotous tool for transforming objects.

In the following clip, you’ll learn how to scale objects using the Gumball :

• One-direction: select an object and drag one of the Gumball Scale Handles .
• Two-directions: select an object and drag one of the Gumball Plane Handles while pressing Shift .
• Three-directions: select an object and drag one of the Gumball Scale Handles while pressing Shift .
• By scale factor: select an object and click inside one of the Gumball Scale Handles to enter a scale factor.

Scale Objects Using Scale

The Scale command resizes an object. Rhino has commands to scale in one, two or three directions. In this exercise, we will learn how to scale using a scale factor as well as two reference points.

1. Open Scale-Objects.3dm in Rhino .
2. Deactivate the Gumball to avoid confusion.
3. Activate End and Quad only in the Osnap Control .
4. Select the white sphere.
5. Run the Scale command.
6. At the Base point… prompt, type 0 and press Enter .
7. At the Scale factor or… prompt, type 1.5. Press Enter .

8. Now, on the Layer panel:
   • turn on Scale by Reference.
   • turn off Scale by Factor.
9. Select the pinkle cylinder.
10. Run the Scale command.
11. At the Base point prompt, click at the far-left base of the cylinder.
12. At the Scale factor or first reference point prompt, snap to the far-right base of cylinder.
13. At the Second reference point prompt, snap to the far-right top face of the truncated cone.

14. Try it on your own! Play around scaling objects from different base and reference points. Notice how the origin and direction of the object changes.

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