# Align and Set Tools

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When setting up a rig, users will often need to create and position a great number of locators and controls together, often relating them to specific rotation positions relative to the geometry they are controlling. Easing the placement of these controllers is the align and set tools. Rich thoroughly demonstrates each function modo has available. Understanding of these functions can also aide in the modeling of rigged characters preparing them for the rigging stage of production.

Users can jump ahead to a specific section by using the Chapter selection widget on the right side of the player or by directly clicking any of the Chapter Title links below.

Tab | Time | Chapter | Description
1 | 00:15 | Matching Tools | Demonstrations of the tools that match another items transform state.
2 | 06:28 | Alignment | Demonstration of the alignment tools that modify positions and rotations.
3 | 10:07 | CentersPivots | Explanation of the importance of a Center or Pivot in relation to the geometry.
4 | 13:02 | Work Plane | Understanding and using the work plane to control object positions and relations.
5 | 15:12 | Set Pos/Rot | Demonstration of the Set commands.
6 | 18:24 | Center to Pivot | Demonstration of the Center to Pivot command.
5 | 20:28 | Mirror Tools | Proper mirroring of items is explained.
6 | 22:33 | Drop Actions | Demonstration of all the different drop actions available for easy item positioning.
| 29:06 | Total Video Time |

Frequently Asked Questions--

Q.) What's the difference between a "Center" and an "Item"?

> A.) The "Center" is where modo think the model was created as it relates to modo's world center. The "Pivot" is used for animating and items point of rotation over time. Check out the Pivots and Centers section in the training for an in-depth view on this topic.

Q.) There he goes using the word "handy" again, why oh why must he do that?

> A.) It's a sickness... he's going to the doctor for it.

Q.) What does "Align" have to do with Inverse Kinematics (or IK)?

> A.) The first two items, in the three item chain required to create IK in modo, have to be aligned (or pointing at) each other. Check out the Inverse Kinematics section for more information.

Q.) What is "Compensation"?

> A.) Compensation is a mode in modo that allows for constraints to adjust an item's position, rotation or scale so that when it is applied to the target item, it does not move in world space. Check out the Constraints section for more information.

Q.) I've seen "Drop Actions" referenced some where else in modo right?

> A.) Yes, in the Assemblies section we talk about how you can use drop actions for when an Assembly is added into a scene. Check out the Assemblies and Rigging UI section for more information.

Resources--

Links to the modo in-line help system
Docs: Pivots & Centers
Docs: Inverse Kinematics
Docs: Workplane
Docs: Action Centers
Docs: Compensation
Docs: Drop Actions

Links to other pages in this training
Training: Pivots and Centers
Training: Inverse Kinematics
Training: Action Centers
Training: Constraints
Training: Parenting and Hierarchies
Training: Assemblies and Rigging UI

File--

Links to the modo scenes used in the video
(click to open in modo)
File: AlignSetDrop_01a.lxo

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