Aligning Pivot - setting up hinge on detached objects

[Daf]

Hi!

 

Please know that I am searching before posting - but I'm afraid my lack of correct terms and keywords is letting me down. And this one is a tough one!

 

I've attached a pic of a hatch I've modeled by detaching polys - now how do I do the following:

 

1- reset the pivot to follow the orientation of the hatch - it appears to still be in world space or the parent sphere. I tried setting to local but no change. I've tried unlinking and centering to the object and there it is - but it's not oriented the same as the hatch. I could try to manually rotate and fudge it into what I "think" is correct but I'm hoping there is a way to ask MAX to do it perfectly. :smileyhappy:

 

2- set up a hinge effect - where by when rotated it acts as if hinged to the side and swings open/close in a natural way - like a door or hatch would.

[Jose Negrete]

how about a reference box created with autogrid on, then align the pivot to that reference box which would have local gizmo in line w/ one of the polys that make up your hatch.

[cg_Butler]

As above.

 

But also, before you align your pivot to your box, adjust the boxes pivot so that it is at the minimum or maximum of the box's x limit. Then align your hatch's pivot to that and it should be in exactly the right place. If you draw your box accurately of course!

[salvador]

You can use a Dummy instead of the box so you can keep it there for future use. You can create it as they said, with Autogrid on and set it to the face you need.

[Daf]

Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated!