Slide / Edge Slide

The direct modeling Slide tool moves selected mesh elements (vertices, edges, and polygons) along their connected edges. The Slide tool’s handles will adapt to the type of component you have selected.

The procedural Edge Slide tool allows you to select the Radial mode to slide an entire edge loop to widen or narrow your selection, or use the Linear mode to specify the distance to move the selected geometry. For more information, see Applying the Procedural Slide Tool.

You can also use the Slide tool and the mesh operation on a UV map by selecting the appropriate UV map in the tool's properties.

Tip:  For more information on direct and procedural modeling, see Modeling Techniques.

Activating the Tool

Note:  Before applying this tool, you must activate a component selection mode. For more information, see Understanding Items vs. Components.

Direct Modeling Slide Tool:

• In the Model layout, activate the Edge or Vertices component selection mode. On the left panel, open the Edit section and select Slide.

If you are in Vertices component mode, the Slide tool will display Linear and Face mode handles by default.

If you are in Edge component mode, then the Slide tool will display Radial mode handles by default.

To access the tool while using any component selection mode, you can press S.

Procedural Modeling Edge Slide Tool:

• In the Mesh Ops tab, click Add Operator, and double-click Mesh Operations > Edge > Edge Slide.

• In the Schematic view, click Add..., and double-click Mesh Operations > Edge > Edge Slide.

• In the Topology layout, on the left panel, open the Tools tab, and click Edge Slide.

Sliding an Edge

1.

Click Edges and select an edge.

Tip:  Hold Shift and click to add more edges to the selection. You can select multiple edges by clicking and dragging or right-click lassoing.

2.

Press S to activate the Slide tool.

Alternatively, on the left panel, open the Edge tab and click Slide.

3.

Click and drag on one of the handles to slide the edge(s) into a new position.

4.

Press Esc to drop the tool.

Sliding a Vertex

1.

Click Vertices and select a vertex on your mesh item.

2.

Press S to activate the Slide tool.

 

3.

Ensure that the Select Through button is enabled.

4.

Click and drag on one of the handles.

5.

Press the space key to drop the tool.

6.

Hold Shift and select a number of additional vertices.

7.

Press S and click and drag on a handle.

Applying the Procedural Slide Tool

The procedural Edge Slide tool allows you to select the Radial mode to slide an entire edge loop to widen or narrow your selection, or use the Linear mode to specify the distance to move the selected geometry. Specifying other properties allows you to position your selection exactly where you want it.

Example

1.

Download our example scenes and open Edge Slide meshop.lxo in the Model layout.

2.

On the right panel, ensure that the model item is selected.

3.

Under the layout menu, select Edges.

4.

On the top right of the interface, click the Selection Sets icon, and then click Quick Select > armX.

5.

On the right panel, open the Mesh Ops tab, and click Add Operator.

6.

Double-click Mesh Operations > Edge > Edge Slide.

7.

On the right panel, open the Edge Slide tab, and set the Mode to Linear.

Tool handles appear in the 3D viewport.

8.

Drag the red (X) handle to slide your selection.

The Distance and Direction of the selected X, Y, or Z handles displays the absolute value in the Properties tab.

Note:  Dragging the cyan center tool handle updates the Distance and Direction for X and Z only.

Procedural Edge Slide Properties

Mode	• Allows you to specify one of the following modes: • Radial Mode - This is most useful for sliding entire edge loops such as widening or narrowing a selected edge loop around an eye. When this mode is active, the DirectionX, Y, and Z options are disabled as the only relevant input is Distance, which indicates how far to slide the selected loop between the next and previous loops. • Linear Mode - Provides a method to slide elements along intersecting edges. When this mode is enabled, the Direction X, Y, and Z options are activated. When interacting with the tool in a 3D viewport the direction of the handle determines the edge to slide along. • Face - This mode is not available in Procedural modeling.
Distance	Allows the tool's numeric entry to be a specific distance based on the current unit system, so that geometry can be moved a specific number of feet, inches, meters, and so on.
Merge Vertices	When this option is active, vertices are merged if the slide tool results in vertices sharing the exact same coordinates. For example, sliding an edge 100% with this option enabled results in that edge being merged into its neighbor. This can be particularly convenient when combined with the Stop at Edges option.
Stop at Edges	With this option active, the selected tool stops the slide when the selected mesh elements reach the surrounding edges.
Duplicate	When active, the Duplicate option creates a new edge rather than simply sliding the selected edge. With this option enabled, it is simple to create new edges or edge loops, and place them along the existing curve.
Loop Slide	When sliding an edge selection, Loop Slide constrains the movement along the existing polygonal bounds.
Segments	Adds extra edge loops between the original edge loop and duplicated edge loop. This option works with Duplicate option.
Preserve Curvature	When enabled, the new position is computed along a curve through the edges to maintain the overall curvature or surface continuity. Once enabled, the Tension setting becomes available, controlling the tightness of the curvature preservation.
Tension	Determines the strength of the curvature preservation. The default value of 100% calculates the curvature similar to a spline generated along the edge's length, placing the new vertex appropriately (a value of 0% disables the Preserve Curvature option). Negative values inset the curvature and higher values further offset the vertex out from the curve's position.
UV Map	Select a UV map to use Slide on a UV map. When set to (none), the tool works on 3D geometry.

Applying the Slide Tool using the Schematic Viewport

Using the procedural Edge Slide tool in the Schematic viewport allows you to push the selected mesh elements along their connected edges.

 

Example

1.

Download our example scenes and open ModelPush.lxo in the Model layout.

2.

On the top-left corner of the interface, click the schematic palette icon.

3.

On the right panel, drag-and-drop ModelPush onto the Schematic viewport.

4.

Under the layout menu bar, click Edges.

5.

On the top-right of the interface, click the Selection Sets icon, and then click Quick Select > edges.

An edge selection is highlighted on the model in the 3D viewport.

6.

In the Schematic viewport, click Add..., and double-click Mesh Operations > Edge > Edge Slide.

7.

In the Schematic viewport, click in the view area, and then select Edge Slide.

8.

On the right panel, open the Edge Slide tab, and set Mode to Linear.

The tool handles display in the 3D viewport.

9.

In the 3D viewport, click-and-drag the green handle upwards.

The selection set moves upwards.

Direct Modeling - Slide Tool Properties

The Direct Modeling Slide tool is found in the toolbox located on the left panel of the interface.

Direction X/Y/Z	Sets the directional position for X, Y, and Z.
Interpolation	Allows you to choose between Distance and Percent methods for sliding the geometry. • When Distance is enabled, the Distance option is enabled. • When Percent is enabled, the Percentage option is enabled.
Distance	When Interpolation is set to Distance, set the numeric value and unit system used to move the geometry.
Percentage	When Interpolation is set to Percent, set the percentage value to slide the selected geometry. You can set the percentage using its initial position (0%) and the neighboring edge or edge loop position (-100% to 100%).
Merge Vertices	When enabled, vertices are merged when vertices share the same coordinates. For example, sliding an edge 100% results in that edge being merged into its neighbor. Tip:  This can be particularly useful when combined with the Stop at Edges option to avoid over deforming geometry.
Stop at Edges	When enabled, the Slide tool stops the slide when the selected mesh elements reach the surrounding edges.
Duplicate	When enabled, creates a new element, rather than sliding to the selected element. Tip:  Use this option to create new edges or edge loops and place them along the existing curve.
Loop Slide	Note:  Loop Slide is only available for edge selections. When enabled and sliding on an edge selection, constrains the movement along the existing polygonal bounds.
Segments	Specifies the number of segments for profiles. If the value is 0 and a profile is selected, the Slide tool automatically decides the best adaptive segments for the profile. Note:   Duplicate must be enabled for Profiles to work. To specify a profile, see Profiles Options.
Preserve Curvature	When enabled, the new position is computed along a curve through the edges to maintain the overall curvature or surface continuity. Once enabled, the Tension option becomes available, controlling the tightness of the curvature preservation.
Tension	Determines the strength of the curvature preservation. The default value of 100% calculates the curvature, placing the new vertex appropriately. Note:  Setting the value to 0% is the same as disabling the Preserve Curvature option. Negative values inset the curvature and higher values further offset the vertex out from the curve's position.
Slip UVs	When enabled, existing UV mappings applied to the geometry are not disturbed. UV values are generally fixed to specific vertices, so further edits to the geometry may warp, deform, or otherwise distort the UV values in undesirable ways. When this happens, you may need to adjust the map or redo it altogether. To avoid this, enable Slip UVs so as to not disturb any existing UV mapping applied to the geometry. For more information about UV Mapping, see Working with UV Maps.
	Slip UVs function disabled, note texture warping. Slip UVs function enabled, texture remains even.
Handle Line Size	Specifies the line width of vertex handle.
UV Map	Select a UV map to use Slide on a UV map. When set to (none), the tool works on 3D geometry.
Apply	Applies property settings.

Profile Attributes Options

Inset	This specifies the offset amount of X direction of the profile.
Reverse Direction	If this option is enabled, the 1D profile is evaluated from top to bottom.
Reverse Inset	If this option is enabled, Inset is reversed.
Keep Aspect	Automatically sets Inset value based on the aspect ratio of the profile.

Profiles Options

Mini Preset browser for viewing various profiles. Works the same as the standard Preset Browser.