Hi, I've downloaded a few free models that give me some trouble as far as moving them around is concerned. For example, I got this great sword, but it's axes are completely different than what I'm used to, and I was hoping to be able to change that. See, when I'm posing a character with the default main camera view, I know exactly what X,Y, and Z rotate and transform are going to do, but the sword's center of rotation is completely different, and it's a matter of guesswork and lots of trial and error before I'm able to get it right in the position I want in the characters hand. And then if I go to resize it, it climbs up the Y axis at an angle, instead of simply resizing. In other words, it's a serious pain in the ass to work with when X, Y, and Z mean two completely different things for two different objects. And it's not like it's centered either vertically or horizontally, either, because it's on a really unusual angle. I'm starting with the default Poser 4 character's position on the stage, in the default camera position. How can I change the sword's axes to match that exactly? It's not just the sword, actually, I've run across a whole lot of models which do this, including some downloaded .cr2's. Any help would be appreciated. :) Thanks, Mike

Select the sword and zero it's XYZ tran dials, and open the joint editor...yep the JE. Use the main cursor tool to drag the object's center where you want it to be. Always use the Parameter dials to position and pose rather than the cursor tools, it easier. If you really want to change a prop's position and scale for good, once you have it to the size and position you want use the grouping tool to "Create a new Prop" out of it. -JH.

Cool, Jeff, thanks... I'll give it a try right now. Yeah, ever since I "discovered" the parameter dials, I rarely use the other controls, unless I'm using Inverse Kinematics. Half the time I actually type in numbers, though, which is a very good way to lern the limits. Thanks! Mike

heyas; jeff, does that work better/different than showing the prop center deal? personally, i would just export the thang as an obj when i have it lined up the way i want... group tool spawning might be quicker. and you'd need to re-adjust the center, wouldn't you? i mean, if you moved the center off center...? also, mike, i'd try sticking the center of the sword down in the hilt, or at the end of the hilt. then after you stick it in somebody's hand, you could resize it and the hilt will stay put while the rest of the thing shrinks towards it. (um, or it should work that way. :) ) it will also rotate from that point, too.

You're always helpful, JeffH. I'm wondering if that would address the fact that it isn't oriented along an axis. I was going to make bloodsong's suggestion, to cover that part. I guess I could go experiment.

Thanks for all the advice here. I got it to where I want it now, too. I did as Jeff suggested and after a bit of experimenting it worked out, and also served to remind me about the usefulness of the grouping tool. That sword was also in need of some new material sections. Bloodsong, yeah, what you said. I needed to get the rotation nearer to the handle, which I finally managed. Funny it didn't start out that way, but who knows. I guess if it was made in a different app, Poser doesn't necessarily "agree" with the setups? Thanks, Mike

The "origin" and JP "center" of a prop are the same thing. The only difference is that the center can be moved with the cursor tool with more accuracy. The origin can only be moved with the dials as far as I know. Normally I don't recommend that the cursor tools be used, but it's neccesary with some Joint Editor settings. A prop's axis in poser is usually the same in the app it was exported from, except for 3ds files from MAX (and that may be a bug in the Poser 3ds import plugin). -JH.

Jeff, I got it from 3D Cafe, and I'm pretty sure it was made in 3D Studio Max, but I can't really remember. I do know there are ALOT of Max files there, though. Mike

heyas; cool, jeff, i'll remember that tip :) showing and hiding the origin is more annoying than just opening the jp window.