Scaling Objects

You can scale a game object, or group of game objects, by dragging its Scale manipulator or setting its Scale properties in the Property Editor.

The Scale manipulator is a three-arrowed icon with a yellow square. Each arrow scales the object along one axis. The yellow square controls scaling in all three dimensions. The cube game object in the figure below has its Scale manipulator active.

 

The Scale property parameters specify the amount of scaling in the X, Y, and Z directions. The Scale property values are measured relative to the original dimensions of the object, with 1, 1, 1 representing its original size.

Scaling equally in all three dimensions maintains the object’s overall proportions. Scaling along an individual axis deforms the object. For example, making one axis of a sphere shorter would create an ellipsoid (or flying saucer).

An object scales away from its pivot point. Thus, when the pivot point is at the origin, scaling expands or contracts the object in or out from its origin.

Placing the pivot point away from the origin lets you set a boundary for the object’s scaling. For example, if you want to scale a monster standing on the ground, position its pivot on the ground. Scaling will occur away from the pivot point, and the monster will still stand on the ground (rather than scaling into and through the ground).

If you scale a group of game objects, each game object scales by the same amount around its own pivot point; the objects’ pivot points do not move farther apart or closer together.

If you scale a game object through zero to negative values, the game object inverts.

Maintaining Proportions

To scale game objects and maintain their proportions:

  1. Select the Modify > Scale menu item.
  2. Select the game objects.
  3. Drag the yellow box. Drag to the left to make the object smaller; drag to the right to enlarge it.

Changing Proportions (Deforming)

To deform a game object:

  1. Select the Modify > Scale menu item.
  2. Select the game objects.
  3. Drag one axis of the Scale manipulator.
    The game object shrinks or enlarges along that axis, but the other dimensions remain constant.