Auto Orient Manipulator
Selection > Auto Orient Manipulator
 

Description:
   
    The Auto Orient Manipulator (Selection > Auto Orient Manipulator) submenu allows you set how Silo will orient the manipulator on each new selection.

> Standard

     When checked, this option orients the manipulator differnetly depending on the selection and the manipulator in use.  In object selection mode, it will orient the manipulator to the selected shape's axis.  If the universal manipulator is in use, it will orient the manipulator to the best normal vector of the selection.  Otherwise the manipulator will be oriented according to world x, y, and z axes.

> To Normal

     When checked, this option will cause the manipulator to be aligned with the normal vector of the selection. In face mode, the normal vector will be the average normal of the faces.  In vertex and edge selection mode, Silo will attempt to deduce the best normal vector.  In object selection mode, this command will orient the manipulator to the work grid (world coordinates).

> To Object Axis

     When checked, the manipulator will orient itself to the local axis of the selected shape or the shape whose components are selected.  If components from multiple shapes are selected, the axis of the first shape selected will be used.

> To World

     When checked, the manipulator will orient itself to the world x, y, and z vectors.

> Off

     When this option is checked, the manipulator will not reorient itself on each new selection, but will remain as previously oriented.

> Enable Repositioning

     When this option is checked, the manipulator will reposition itself to the center of the current selection.  Otherwise it will remain fixed.  This option can be very helpful for rotating selections around specific axes or points.


Notes:

-Silo will do its best to determine where the selection's normal ought to be, but in some cases, such as with a random non-planar collection of vertices, there is no clear choice.