I would have posted this in my 3dsmax comparison thread, but I decided to make a new thread for it, because it's driving me nuts!  I did a goodle search, but the thread I turned up on blenderartists.org didn't give me an answer.

I know how to SLIDE an edge loop in Blender, or slide a number of edge loops.  Very handy.  However, I can't find a way to PINCH two edge loops together!  There must be a simple way, but damned if I can find it.

For an example of what edge loop pinching is, in 3dsmax, check out this video starting at exactly 2:25:

http://youtu.be/dru6z9ZgkLk?t=2m25s

Notice that two edge loops are selected, running parallel along a mesh surface.  Using the pinch tool spinners, the artist has the ability to "slide" the edges away from each other, OR closer together, to create pinching!  I've tried everything, including using the SLIDE function in Blender, with local origins, and individual pivot origins.  Doesn't work.  Both selected edge loops slide in the same direction.  Anyone who knows the answer here, it will help greatly in the project I'm working on.

...

Ok, I figured out a temporary solution on accident.  Basically, you can set the Pivot Point to MEDIAN, then the transformation orientation to normal, and using the scale manipulator on just one axis, you can slide the edge loops apart.  This works, at least, on a planar surface, like a box.  I haven't tried it on an uneven, or rounded surface yet.  A PINCH tool would really be more efficient and handy here, and make this kind of thing much more intuitive.  I'm sure people coming over from other modelling apps, like 3dsmax or Silo would be looking for a pinch tool, since there's already a SLIDE tool, and the two functions are usually together!

I'm hoping there's a slide tool that I've overlooked here, because this is a perfect example of the lack of tool synergy I'm finding in Blender.  I'm really trying to get along with it, but man, it's difficult. lol.

Push/pull on the transform menu will do what you are talking about. :)

You have to have the pivot set to individual. After fooling with it a bit more looks like it does not slide along the edges but basically scales them together.  So may not be what you are wanting.

You have to have the pivot set to individual. After fooling with it a bit more looks like it does not slide along the edges but basically scales them together.  So may not be what you are wanting.

That technique will work in some cases, but unfortunately, not all situations where I might wish to pinch edge loops together.  I think the solution is way more complicated than need be.  Even the first method I discovered will not work on a mesh with curved or uneven surface, because it will deform the mesh when you scale the edges along an axis. The solution will have something to do with scaling, but with vertex/edge constraints enabled.  I don't have time to play around and discover it right now, but apparently this issue has been raised in the past by 3dsmax users, but no solution was given in any of the threads I've looked at.  Mostly, they are suggesting using scale, but that won't always work to maintain surface curvature!

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?199962-Loop-Cut-and-Slide-question

I'm very surprised this issue hasn't been addressed by now.  That thread was from 2010!  It's a very very simple fix I'm sure, because Blender already has the ability to slide edges, and "pinching" usually goes hand in hand with that feature.  I wonder if it's not being taken seriously because it's a feature usually brought up by former 3dsmax users?  However, the feature is quite common in most noteable modelling software.  It's also found in Silo, Nvil, Maya, and Modo.  I don't think it's in C4D or Wings3D, but they are the only ones I know of besides Blender without the feature.

Thanks for the help, Cybermonk.  I'm just venting, and glad the group of guys here are as accepting as you are.

It's cool to have a fresh perspective on Blender. Shakes up our expectations and makes think a bit.

Here's a kind of work around. 1) Cut an edge loop in between the 2 you are wanting to pinch 2) bevel it. This will split the edge loop into 2 and allows you to adjust the distance between. 3) dissolve the original 2 lines

I know this is not Ideal but it will work.

 I seem to remember you could "bridge edge loops" then on the options just slide them closer together

but it don't seem to work at the mo' maybe was an addon I was using?  have to poke about a bit and see if I can find it  

 I seem to remember you could "bridge edge loops" then on the options just slide them closer together

but it don't seem to work at the mo' maybe was an addon I was using?  have to poke about a bit and see if I can find it  

Hmmm.  I'd like to see how that works.  Not sure it will help, if I don't require a bridge operation. Meanwhile, I came across another issue I can't figure out, regarding the Inset tool.  Maybe have a look in that thread, and see what you make of it?

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/?thread_id=2888448

I restarted Blender, tried it again, and it seems to happen each time, when I follow the same procedure to creating the object.  Inset seems to work fine on most objects, but whenever I build control loops on a box in subdivision, and then try to inset some faces, that same problem reoccurs.

Be careful!  If you keep pinching those edge loops, they might sue you for harassment!

Hey, what ever happened to the list of smilies in the forum posts?  I could have used one here. ;-)

 that's the thing it didn't work as a bridge really it just let you move 2 edge loops relative to each other

just wish I could remember if it was an addon

do seem to have lost smilies  !! sure we did have them once upon an update or two ;-) maybe Lobo can shed some light on where they hide now

Be careful!  If you keep pinching those edge loops, they might sue you for harassment!

Hey, what ever happened to the list of smilies in the forum posts?  I could have used one here. ;-)

With the latest update to the forums not sure why but smileys have disappeared I will look into it and see if by any chance they might come back