Move Pivot Tool (Pro)

The Move Pivot Tool provides precise pivot point manipulation for GameObjects in the Unity Editor, specifically designed for industrial automation components in the realvirtual framework.

Overview

The Move Pivot Tool enables you to reposition object pivot points by selecting vertices in the Scene View or aligning objects with each other. This tool is essential for proper component alignment in automation systems where precise positioning is critical.

The tool features a streamlined, condensed interface design for efficient workflow integration and includes comprehensive error handling for stable operation.

Note

This tool is only available in the Professional version of realvirtual.

Opening the Tool

Access the Move Pivot Tool through:

• Quick Edit Menu: Available in the main realvirtual toolbar
• Scene View Integration: Toggle between overlay and windowed modes using the mode button in the tool interface

The tool automatically selects the currently highlighted GameObject in the Hierarchy as the source object.

Interface Features

Compact Design

The tool interface uses a condensed layout without visual separators between sections, featuring reduced padding and margins for efficient screen space usage. The window has a minimum height of 250 pixels for optimal usability.

Display Modes

• Overlay Mode: Displays as an overlay in the Scene View for seamless integration
• Window Mode: Opens as a separate EditorWindow for extended use
• Mode Toggle: Switch between modes using the toggle button in the tool interface

💡 Hint
The mode toggle functionality is accessed through the UI button, providing flexible workspace integration.

Core Functionality

Vertex-Based Positioning

Point Selection Select up to three vertices in the Scene View to define new pivot positions:

1. Click Point 1, Point 2, or Point 3 buttons to activate selection mode
2. Click on mesh vertices in the Scene View while in selection mode
3. Selected points are visually indicated with interactive gizmos

Positioning Options

• Move to Point: Position pivot at any selected vertex
• Move to Midpoint: Position pivot at the center between two selected points
• Move to Center: Position pivot at the geometric center of three selected points

Object-Based Alignment

Target Object Selection

1. Click Select Object2 to activate target selection mode
2. Hover over the desired object in the Scene View
3. Click to select the target object

Visual Indicators

• RGB Axes: Indicate the target object’s current pivot point
• White Axes: Show the target object’s geometric center

Alignment Options

• Move to Target’s Pivot: Align source object pivot with target object’s pivot point
• Move to Target’s Mesh Center: Position source object pivot at the target object’s geometric center

⚠️ Attention
The “Move to Target’s Mesh Center” option requires selecting a target object and uses the target’s mesh center, not the source object’s center.

Utility Functions

Reset

• Clears all current selections
• Resets tool state for new operations
• Allows starting fresh with pivot positioning

Undo Support

• Full Unity Undo integration
• Safe experimentation with pivot changes
• Revert actions when needed

Usage Examples

Aligning Conveyor Components

1. Select the conveyor segment as the source object
2. Use Point 1 and Point 2 to select connection vertices
3. Click Move to Midpoint to center the pivot between connection points
4. Align with adjacent conveyor segments for seamless connection

Robot Arm Base Positioning

1. Select the robot arm base GameObject
2. Click Select Object2 and choose the mounting point object
3. Use Move to Target’s Pivot to align the robot base with the mounting point
4. Verify alignment using the visual axis indicators

Sensor Mounting

1. Select the sensor GameObject as the source
2. Use Point 1 to select the mounting vertex on the target surface
3. Click Move to Point to position the sensor pivot at the mounting location

Best Practices

Precision Guidelines

• Zoom In: Use close-up views when selecting vertices for maximum accuracy
• Multiple Views: Switch between Scene View perspectives to verify selections
• Visual Confirmation: Always check the gizmo indicators before applying changes

Workflow Optimization

• Object Verification: Confirm the correct source object is selected before starting
• Target Validation: Verify target object selection, especially in complex scenes
• Incremental Changes: Make small adjustments and test functionality between changes

Performance Considerations

• Scene Complexity: Tool performance is optimized for typical automation scenes
• Selection Feedback: Real-time visual feedback helps maintain responsive interaction
• Error Handling: Comprehensive null checks prevent crashes during operation

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• No Visual Feedback: Ensure objects have valid mesh renderers for vertex detection
• Selection Not Working: Verify objects are not locked or disabled in the Inspector
• Gizmos Not Showing: Check that Gizmos are enabled in the Scene View toolbar

Error Prevention

The tool includes extensive error checking to handle:

• Missing object references
• Invalid mesh data
• Scene state changes during operation

See Also

• Reparenting Tool - Object hierarchy management
• Quick Edit Menu - Accessing editing tools
• Model Checker - Scene validation tools

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