Scaling Objects
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When we use Zoom tool, objects look Bigger or Smaller, because Zoom Tool changes View Magnification. But objects do not change size actually. Let's take a simple example. When we use Magnifying Glass to view small objects, they look bigger, but do not actually become bigger.

For actually changing size of an object, we require to use Select and Scale Tool on the main toolbar.
 
 

Bring mouse in any View Port, press mouse button on the object and drag mouse up or down, you are able to change size of the object.

For changing size of an object, we do not need to select it first. When this button is active, clicking an object selects it first and draging mouse up or down actually changes its size. This process is known as Scaling.
 

  • Create teapot, click on Select and Scale Tool on the main toolbar and then click on the object. The Scale Gizmo appears as shown in the following figure.

  • The Scale Gizmo includes plane handles and scaling feedback through the stretching of the gizmo itself. The plane handles help you to perform Uniform and Non-Uniform scaling.

  • In Uniform Scaling, Object changes size equally along all three axes.
 

 

Bring mouse in the Front View Port in this area.
Press mouse button and drag mouse
up or down, object will become bigger or smaller.

  

This is Uniform Scaling, because Object changes size equally along all three axes.

  
 

Bring mouse in this area, press mouse button and drag mouse up or down, object will become bigger or smaller.
 

This is Uniform Scaling, because Object changes size equally along all three axes.

 

Bring mouse near Green color Y-axis handle.
Y-axis line changes to yellow color.
Press mouse button and drag mouse up or down.

  

Object will be enlarged or reduced
vertically (in Y-axis) only.

  
 

Bring mouse near Red color X-axis handle.
X-axis line changes to yellow color.
Press mouse button and drag mouse left or right.
 

Object will be enlarged or reduced
horizontally (in X-axis) only.
 

Now bring mouse in this area, it will turn yellow.
Press mouse button and drag mouse Up-Down or
Left-Right, and carefully observe the reaction on the screen.
  If mouse is moved Up or Down, object will be
enlarged or reduced vertically (in Y-axis) only.
 

If mouse is moved Left or Right, object will be enlarged or reduced horizontally (in X-axis) only.
 
Important : Transformations like Scale, Rotate and Move can be used in any View Port, but we suggest to avoid in Perspective or Camera View Port.
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Note for Max-4 users :
In Max-4 or older version Scale Gizmo is not available. You can use Axis Constraints button along with Select and Scale tool on the Main Toolbar.

By default Restrict to XY Plane button is selected and uniform scaling in all axis will take place.