use mouse to move body parts, etc...

[eman]

It seems to me that I can only use the mouse to control movement of objects on the xy plain. I have 3 questions:

1) Can I use the mouse to move an object in z direction?
2) Can I rotate an object with a mouse?
3) Can I use the mouse to control movement of some body parts? (e.g. raise a hand or kicking motion)

If yes, then how to do so? Thanks.

[DrJim]

<shift> will let you move an object up and down with the mouse
<ctrl> will let you rotate an object with the mouse
<shift> + <ctrl> will let you "tumble" an object with the mouse
check the "affect subparts" box to allow selection and movement of individual subparts

[eman]

Thanks for your answers. However, I still have problems moving individual parts. I should have asked my questions more precisely. I understand that individual parts can be moved when I am creating the scene when "affect subparts" is checked. But I want to be able to interactively move individual parts with a mouse when the scene is playing. With your help, I can move and rotate the whole object (e.g. a person), but not the person's leg or arm.

Thanks.

[DrJim]

For the mouse to be able to select an object or sub-object, "isFirstClass" (under "SeldomUsedProperties" has to be true. The default value for objects is (usually, at least) "true" and for sub-objects, "false".

I did a quick test setting a penguin head's "is FirstClas" to true and could move and rotate it (along with, of course, the objects that have it as a vehicle) OK while a world was running. :)

There may be some restrictions on this that I don't remember, however. :o If you have problems, do a search of the forum on "FirstClass." Most of the references will be on using this to keep from moving the ground (which is a useful trick) - but I seem to remember a couple that had some more detail.