Rotate transformation manipulator not working properly?

Support Modeling
1

Translate and scale are working fine only the rotate do not work properly. I have to fight it to get it to respond. When I click on one of the three colors and try to move along one direction I just end up moving the 3d cursor most of the time It’s super annoying! It was working fine some time ago.

rotate.png911×679 8.66 KB

Blender version is 2.77a

2

I think you probably havethischecked. Please don’t crop screenshots. Will a full screen, we’d be able to tell for sure at a glance.

3

Manipulate Center Points was checked yes. I unchecked it and it’s still the same. Unchecking it only affects the scale tool, i.e. I no longer can scale the object, translate is working as before and rotate is not working.

rotate2.jpg2300×1429 259 KB

Any more ideas?

4

So that’s not your issue, then. For what it’s worth, I would recommend leaving the Manip Center Points button unpressed (leave in lighter color state). It sounds like that’s how you had it in the first place.

First, Apply Scale (Ctrl A > S) - Generally, you want your object scale to be 1 : 1 : 1
In many cases, having non uniform scaling is a root cause for issues. Try to do your scaling in edit more, or apply scale afterward, in object mode. It’s possible that you want to use a transform orientation other than Global, also.

Otherwise, there’s not much to go on. Would it be possible to upload a small .blend which shows the issue? Would be interesting to see if we could repr your issue.

In the meantime, you might consider abandoning the widget - R, S, and G grant access to many, many more options for transforms, without the drawbacks. No wrestling with widgets, misclicking by a pixel, or having to manually change orientation mode every few minutes. If you’re shortcut friendly, definitely try these out:

  • R - Rotate. Defaults to Z-axis ‘View’ orientation. Specify global axis with X, Y, Z. Specify locked global axis (plane) Shift X, Shift Y, Shift Z. Activate transform orientation (‘Normal’ has high utility) by pressing X, Y, Z two times (e.g. X > X, or Shift X > Shift X).
  • R > R - Trackball rotation. Manipulates selection like using a trackball.
  • S - Scale. Uses the same basic principles as rotation for axis selection.
  • Alt S - Shrink/Fatten. Toggle even thickness state with S, or hold Alt key.
  • G - Translate (‘Grab’ for mnemonics). Uses the same basic principles as rotation/scale for axis selection.
  • G > G - Edge Slide. Toggle even state with E. Lock axis with C, or hold Alt key.
  • Hold Shift - Precision transform. After initiating a R, S, G operation, hold Shift key to transform selection by smaller increments.
  • Hold Ctrl - Snap alternate. After initiating a R, S, G operation, hold Ctrl key to alternate current snap setting (e.g. if global snap is off, holding Ctrl utilizes snap for the operation).
  • Hold Shift Ctrl - Combines both effects.
  • Select and Drag - Translate. Works exactly like hitting G key to initiate Translate operation. Uses the same basic principles as rotation/scale for axis selection. Excellent when used in concert with snapping.