Aligning parts

If I have to parts that I want to join, I have trouble aligning them. I can't use the grid system, because the game seems to have differently aligned grid systems for each object!

Any advice, or pointers to a good building tutorial?

- Bungle R

Hiya

A good way to aligning objects is to place one where you wish it to go, then when creating another note the x,y,z co-ords and using those you can move your object into position along side the other.

For example if I place a square at x 149.23 y 85.36 and z at 2.000
( Z is up and down, the x and y change to left/right, back/forward depending on rotation)

If I want to place another object along side it I would use the z co-ords and whichever x or y co-ords to move it backwards, Then it's just a matter of pushing it into place.

Another good thing you could do is, If you create a wall (Or any object) click on it (with edit open) hold down your shift key and using your mouse drag out another piece (this copies an exact replica of the object you just created) then all you have to do is place it where you want it.

Nat

To elaborate a little more on what Natalie is saying...

The best way to line things up is to type in the actual coordinates (x,y,z). If you have 2 objects that you want to line up on the x axis, go into the edit menu on the objects tab, and set their X positions identically. Same thing for floors on the Z axis. One note is to make sure they are basically the same size (their Y width must be equal to line up perfectly on the X axis).

Another thing to consider to prevent prim overlap: Say you have 2 wall pieces that are 10mx10m square, and you want them to be beside each other. For simplicity sake, we will say the first objects coordinates are X:10.000, Y: 10.000, Z: 10.000. If you just drag a copy out along the X axis and try to line them up, sometimes you will have a little overlap or a gap on the ends no matter how hard you try. The easiest way to prevent that is to once again use the coordinates. Since it's measuring from the center of each piece, divide the width of each piece in half and add them together (5m + 5m = 10m). Add that to the coordinates of the first location and set the second to that, and it will line them up perfectly. So setting the second prim to X:20.000, Y:10.000, Z: 10.000 will make them perfectly joined along the X axis with no gap or overlap. The math gets a little more difficult in world with different sizes and more complex coordinates, but hopefully that is clear enough to understand.. lol

In the end, it's just basic geometry

Tip #1:

Do yourself a favor and start your position coordinates of your first prim at even #'s. For example: x= 100.00, y= 125.00, z= 28.00. By doing this it makes the math for subsequent alignment much easier (no adding/subtracting odd decimal #'s). You can always move the piece into the exact position you want once it is built and linked. Remember that position #'s refer to the exact center of a prim along all axis. So, let's say you have a 10 x 10 x .5 sized prim sitting at the above mentioned coordinates and you want to find the exact edges of the prim. You would do this by adding or subtracting 5 (half the size of the prim, since the position refers to the center) to the x and y coordinates.

Tip #2:

I am so often surprised at how many ppl use the shift drag technique to copy an object when they want to align another right next to it. Let's say you have a wall and want to make another piece of wall right next to it. Instead of shift drag, try this method. Go into edit mode on the piece you want to copy. Now in the edit box go to the create button (at the top). Check the boxes for copy selection and center copy. Now simply click on the edge of the piece you want the next piece to be next to. Like magic, a perfectly aligned piece of wall right next to the first.

Hope this helps
Kat

Those were some good tips. I'm really glad I came to this thread thinking that the title was something naughty, now.

[Edit] I really *do* think those tips are good, and I really *am* glad I got to read them.

What about aligning to corners?

I want to place an object on each corner of a cube. But objects only align by center. At least as far as I have found.