Trouble with "mesh" -> "Transform" -> "Scale"

Support Basics & Interface
1

Hi there,

I’m following the “Noob to Pro” document. In the “Modeling a simple person” page, There is this instruction for scaling the head :

  • Select Mesh -> Transform -> Scale from the viewport menu,
  • while holding LMB, draw a triangle on the screen,
  • or just press the SKEY.When I select Mesh -> Transform -> Scale from the viewport menu, the scale cursor is immediately ON and the head starts scaling immediately. But since the cursor is already next to the border of the screen and quite away from the head, I don’t have much latitude for properly scaling.

Also, the second instruction doesn’t make much sense to me since the minute I press LMB, the scaling operation immediately stops. And what does drawing a triangle on the screen have to do with scaling? I don’t understand.

Of course, if I position my cursor next to the head and then press SKEY, then I can scale to my liking but I’m wondering if my troubles with using the menu selection is just the normal way that this should work or if my setup is somehow wrong.

2

Hi and welcome, first of all. :slight_smile:

Those 3 bullet points you present are actually all different ways of doing the same thing.
Take your pick for your preferred method. I commonly use the S key, though am becoming more comfortable using gestures (drawing a triangle on the screen to enter scaling mode is a gesture)

When scaling, the position of the mouse with reference to the centre of the object makes all the difference.

I.e - if you start scaling something with your mouse 1cm from the centre, then move your mouse so it’s 2cm from the centre, then you’ll scale by 2 (2/1 = 2)

Similarly, if you start with the mouse 10cm away from the center, then move it by 1cm, you’ll scale the object by 1.1 (11/10=1.1)

If you hold the ctrl key down at the same time, you’ll find that the scale snaps to increments of 0.1. (works for moving, rotating too)

If you hold the shift key down while moving/rotating/scaling, you’ll get find the mouse movements have less effect, allowing you to be precise.

You can also use the numeric keypad, followed by <enter> to enter a value once you’ve started scaling/moving/rotating something.
E.g
Hit S key
type 2
hit enter

  • you’ve just scaled an object by 2

If you’ve not seen them, Neal Hirsig has created a stunning set of video tutes for blender. I don’t have a link handy, though you should find his work easily enough - he’s got an online free blender university course!

EDIT: yeah, I meant to say that I find using the menu something of a pain in the posterior due to where the mouse ends up after you’ve battled your way through the menus. Sorry, if I’ve just rehashed old news…

Simon.

3

Ah! Got it.

When scaling, the position of the mouse with reference to the centre of the object makes all the difference.

I.e - if you start scaling something with your mouse 1cm from the centre, then move your mouse so it’s 2cm from the centre, then you’ll scale by 2 (2/1 = 2)

Similarly, if you start with the mouse 10cm away from the center, then move it by 1cm, you’ll scale the object by 1.1 (11/10=1.1)
<snip>

  • you’ve just scaled an object by 2
    That is way cool. Thanks for all this info.

If you’ve not seen them, Neal Hirsig has created a stunning set of video tutes for blender. I don’t have a link handy, though you should find his work easily enough - he’s got an online free blender university course!
Yes. I already know them but haven’t watched them yet. I decided to go through “Noob to Pro” first.

EDIT: yeah, I meant to say that I find using the menu something of a pain in the posterior due to where the mouse ends up after you’ve battled your way through the menus. Sorry, if I’ve just rehashed old news…
Ah! OK. So I don’t have to worry that my setup is broken or something. Thanks.

4

Hi Yves,

For scaling and transforms, be sure to get comfortable with the 3d cursor. Combined with the snapping functions (shift s) it gives all the power of the “pivot” you are used to… and more.

Hope your doing well.

pappy