Selecting Objects - Adobe ATMOSPHERE User Manual

ADOBE ATMOSPHERE 121
User Guide
Chapter 10: Selecting and Editing Objects
Atmosphere offers a powerful suite of editing tools. For those who are new both to 3-D authoring and Atmosphere,
it helps to remember that there are 2 editors (Scene and Solid Object Editors) that work in wireframe view, and two
selection tools available in both editors. Put another way, beginners have a 1 in 4 chance of selecting the right editor
and selection tool on a given step.
However, a little practice and review will go a long way toward m astering Atmosphere. Editing objects in Atmosphere
starts with selecting the objects to edit.

Selecting Objects

Atmosphere offers a number of ways to select objects, both with the mouse and from the keyboard, allowing users to
choose their most comfortable and productive personal style.
The Selection Tools
There are two selection tools in Atmosphere's Tools toolbar. The fi rst button activates the Selection Tool (V), denoted
by a black mouse cursor. The second button chooses the Direct Selection Tool (A), denoted by a white mouse cursor.
The two tools behave differently from each other, and one behaves differently in the two wireframe editors.
The Selection Tool (V) selects an entire Solid Object when a user clicks on one in either the Solid Object Editor or the
Scene Editor. A bounding box appears, outlined in blue, which encompasses all of the pieces that make up the Solid
Object. Small blue handle boxes appear at the corners and in the middle of edge lines, and in the middle of the Solid
Object. The edge handles allow resizing of the object, while the center handle allows repositioning of the object.
The Direct Selection Tool (A) behaves a bit differently in the two wireframe editors. In the Solid Object Editor, the
Direct Selection Tool (A) selects only the particular piece of a Solid Object that a user clicks on. The piece will appear
outlined in red with small white handles called connectors which allow resizing. In the Scene Editor, the Direct
Selection Tool (A) selects an entire Solid Object, which appears in red minus the white connectors. You can move, but
not resize the object.
Selecting by clicking
The easiest way to select an object is to click on it with the mouse cursor. In the Solid Object Editor with the Direct
Select Tool (A) active, a selected object will appear red with white handles. For example, when a single Box object is
selected, the box will turn red and two connectors will appear at opposite corners.