Orbit Tool

The Orbit tool rotates the current view around a model based on a fixed pivot point.

You use the Orbit tool to change the orientation of a model. The cursor changes to the Orbit cursor. As you drag the cursor, the model rotates around a pivot point while the view remains fixed.

Specify the Pivot Point

The pivot point is the base point used when rotating the model with the Orbit tool. You can specify the pivot point in the following ways:

• Default pivot point When you first open a model, the target point of the current view is used as the pivot point for orbiting the model.
• Select objects With Selection Sensitivity enabled, you can select objects before using the Orbit tool to calculate the pivot point. The pivot point is calculated based on the center of the extents of the selected objects.
• Center tool. You can specify a point on the model to use as the pivot point for orbiting with the Center tool.

Maintain Up Direction

You can control how the model orbits around the pivot point by choosing to maintain the Up direction of the model. When the Up direction is maintained, orbiting is constrained to the XY plane and along the Z axis. If you drag the cursor horizontally, the camera moves parallel to the XY plane. If you drag the cursor vertically, the camera moves along the Z axis. To control if the Up direction is maintained for the Orbit tool, use the Keep the Scene Upright option.

Procedures

To orbit around the center of the view:

1. Display a wheel that has the Orbit tool.
2. Click the Orbit wedge. Hold down the button on your pointing device.
3. When the cursor changes to the Orbit cursor, drag the cursor to rotate the model.

Note : If you need to change the part of the model that is displayed in the center of the view, use the Center tool.

 

1. Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel.
2. To exit the wheel, right-click.

To orbit around a selection set:

1. Press Esc to make sure no commands are active.
2. Make sure Selection Sensitivity is on.
3. Select the objects in the scene that are to define the pivot point location.
4. Display a wheel that has the Orbit tool.
5. Click the Orbit wedge. Hold down the button on your pointing device.
6. When the cursor changes to the Orbit cursor, drag the cursor to rotate the model.
7. Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel.
8. To exit the wheel, right-click.

To maintain the up direction for the Orbit tool:

1. Display a wheel that has the Orbit tool.
2. On the SteeringWheels panel of the Viewport Configuration dialog, make sure the Orbit Tool > Keep the Scene Uprightcheck box is on. Orbiting the model is constrained to the XY plane and Z axis.
3. Click OK.

source : 3ds Max Help