Move a 3D object

The following procedures describe how to move a 3D object around in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space, and how to rotate, reposition, and scale the Viewport3D object by using transformation handles on the artboard. You can also move a 3D object by using the properties in the Transform category of the Properties panel, and you can group 3D objects together, just as you can with any other type of object. For general information about how to work with objects, see Working with objects and properties.

Tip

If you move the 3D object so that part of it extends beyond the blue bounding box, the parts outside the box will not be visible unless you select the Viewport3D object in the Objects and Timeline panel and then clear the ClipToBounds property in the advanced property section under Appearance in the Properties panel. Alternatively, you can increase the size of the blue bounding box.

Tip

If you cannot see your material after moving your object, you might be viewing the side of a face that does not have a material applied to it. Each face has a material property for the front and back of a face. For instructions about how to apply materials to faces, see Add or remove a material.

To move the object around the artboard (in two-dimensional space)

1. In the Objects and Timeline panel, select the Viewport3D object that represents your 3D object. A blue bounding box appears around your 3D object on the artboard.

2. Use your mouse to drag the object around the artboard, scale the object, or rotate the object on the X-Y plane. You can modify the movement in the following ways:

   • Hold the Shift key when you resize or scale the object to constrain the aspect ratio.

   • Hold the Alt key when you resize, scale, or skew the object to maintain the position of the center point (instead of maintaining the position of the opposite corner or edge).

   • Hold the Shift key when you rotate the object to snap it every 15 degrees.

   Tip

   If you scale the object so that part of it extends beyond the blue bounding box, the parts outside the box will not be visible unless you clear the ClipToBounds property in the Appearance category of the Properties panel. Alternatively, you can increase the size of the blue bounding box.

To move the object in the viewport (in three-dimensional space)

1. Choose Selection from the Tools panel, and then double-click your 3D object on the artboard to make the 3D translation handles appear. This action selects the world geometry container object in the Objects and Timeline panel.

2. Use your mouse to drag your 3D object around the artboard. Notice that the 3D object does not appear to move closer or farther away from you as you drag it.

3. Press Alt as you drag the mouse up and down. The 3D object moves closer and farther away from the camera.

   Tip

   If you move the object so that part of it extends beyond the blue bounding box, the parts outside the box will not be visible unless you clear the ClipToBounds property in the Appearance category of the Properties panel. Alternatively, you can increase the size of the blue bounding box.

To rotate, translate, or scale the object in three-dimensional space

1. Choose Selection from the Tools panel, and then double-click your 3D object on the artboard to make the 3D translation handles appear. This action selects the world geometry container object in the Objects and Timeline panel.

2. Use your pointer to grab the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis handles on the artboard. Your pointer will change to indicate the action that you can take:

   • The rotation pointer (active when you move the pointer over the arc handle) lets you rotate the object about an axis. When rotating, you can snap the rotation every 15 degrees by holding the Shift key.

   • The position pointer (active when you move the pointer over the arrow handle) lets you move the object along an axis.

   • The scaling pointer (active when you move the pointer over the box handle) lets you scale the object along an axis.

x-axis handles for rotation position	y-axis handles for rotation position	z-axis handles for rotation position