Changing the axis of rotation in Blender typically refers to either constraining the rotation to a specific global or local axis (like X, Y, or Z) or changing the pivot point around which the rotation occurs. Based on the provided reference, the method discussed involves constraining rotation to a specific axis using keyboard shortcuts after initiating the rotation transform.
Constraining Rotation to a Specific Axis (X, Y, or Z)
One of the most common ways to control the axis of rotation in Blender is to specify which axis you want the object or element to rotate around after you've started the rotation command. This constrains the movement to just that single axis.
Here's how you do it:
- Select the object(s) or element(s) you want to rotate.
- Press the R key to activate the Rotate transform tool.
- Immediately after pressing R, press the key for the desired axis:
- Press X to constrain rotation to the global X-axis.
- Press Y to constrain rotation to the global Y-axis.
- Press Z to constrain rotation to the global Z-axis.
The reference specifically mentions pressing Y to rotate in that direction and pressing X to rotate along the X-axis. As you rotate using your mouse, Blender will show you the angle of rotation, as highlighted in the reference ("we can see the angle that we rotated").
- Example: To rotate an object strictly around the vertical global Z-axis, you would press R, then Z.
You can also press the same axis key again to toggle between rotating around the global axis and the object's local axis. Pressing Shift + the axis key (e.g., Shift + Z) will lock rotation out of that axis.
Understanding Pivot Points (Related Concept)
While the reference focuses on axis constraint, another way users often interpret "changing the axis of rotation" is by changing the pivot point. The pivot point is the location in 3D space around which transformations (like rotation, scaling, and translation) take place. By changing the pivot point, you effectively change where the rotation axis is located.
Blender offers several pivot point options:
- Median Point: Rotates around the average center of selected elements.
- Active Element: Rotates around the origin of the last selected object or element.
- Individual Origins: Rotates each selected object/element around its own origin.
- Bounding Box Center: Rotates around the center of the collective bounding box of selected items.
- 3D Cursor: Rotates around the current location of the 3D Cursor.
You can select your desired pivot point from the dropdown menu next to the transform orientation options in the 3D Viewport header. While crucial for controlling rotation location, this method wasn't detailed in the provided reference snippet, which focused on axis direction using the X, Y, Z keys after pressing R.
In summary, to constrain your rotation to a specific axis like X, Y, or Z in Blender, you press R followed by the corresponding axis key (X, Y, or Z).
