Spatial Reference Helpers

Reference tools are designed to enhance and accelerate architectural modeling or any scenario requiring dimension references. These tools enable the creation of construction guides for precise object positioning and modeling. Guides can act as rulers, displaying custom measurement units in the viewport.

The primary functionality includes creating three types of reference objects: linear guides, protractors, and points.

Another feature is the ability to place intersection marks where linear guides intersect in space. Use this feature with the Intersection Points option or by holding the ALT key during placement.

refGuides

The refGuides tool allows you to create construction guides for accurately positioning and modeling objects. These guides can act as rulers, displaying custom measurement units in the viewport.

Line Guide

Intersection Points

This feature places a reference point, acting as a snapping mark, where reference guide lines intersect in space.

Guide Parameters

Line guides have two parameters: Units and Extension.

• Units: Provide a subdivision scale for the guide, used for snapping objects or as a measuring ruler.
• Extension: Determines the guide’s length.

The UI option for creation modes displays a floater with general settings for guides, protractor placement, and intersection points. Right-clicking on the dialog opens a context menu with additional options.

Protractor Guide

The Protractor Guide displays and snaps to angular values. Placement methods are similar to the reference line tool, except for the UI mode, which is included in the guide line UI.

Reference Points Tool

Trace temporary reference lines and place points at intersections. Unlike 3ds Max Helper points, these custom reference points will work with vertex snap.

Line tracing options:

• Hold SHIFT when tracking a line’s second reference point to enable ORTHOGONAL direction override.
• Press SHIFT when picking the first point of a line for orthogonal placement mode.
• Press ALT when picking the first point of a line for polar placement mode.

Guide Placement

Three creation modes are available:

Free Space Mode

This mode places a guide by determining a direction from two points.

1. Pick a base reference point.
2. Pick a second reference point to determine the direction of the guide.

Pressing SHIFT will lock the tracking to orthogonal coordinates.

Orthogonal Space Mode

1. Pick a reference point; it will act as the center of the orthogonal space.
2. Move the mouse around to change the direction or snap to a point.

Press CTRL during axis selection for Z-axis restriction.

Polar Space Mode

1. Pick the base point. A circular gizmo will display in the viewports, representing a construction plane.
2. Rotation point 1: Pick the Z-axis gizmo rotation reference point.
3. Rotation point 2: X or Y axis rotation points.
   • Press ALT while tracking any gizmo rotation to snap angle values.
   • Press SHIFT to change direction, and CTRL to change the axis.
4. Rotate the mouse around to select the angular component.

• The “Polar mode angle” option sets the angular increment. It’s accessible from the ribbon, the UI creation mode, or the Options dialog.
• Press ALT during the last placement tracking to override the intersection points ON/OFF setting.
• The tools have a “continued creation” mode for placing more than one guide in a single action.

refGuides Objects

When using any of the “refGuides” tools, a custom Shape object is created for Lines, Protractors, and intersection points, with options available from the command panel for tuning their settings: Line extension, unit scale; Protractor angle marks and radius; Intersection point display style and size.

refGuides Additional Tools

• Delete all guides in the scene.
• Lock guides after creation.

Viewport Information Tools

Use the guides as a ruler to display unit steps in the viewport.

• Live info: Displays units for the currently selected guide.
• Live info+: Displays units for all guides in the current view (skips hidden or isolated guides).