
scale the rest of the data in the layer accordingly. Also we 
want the objects to scale toward the bottom of the table so 
it remains on the floor of the room in the back layer... 
 
2.select Options from Modeler's Display menu 
   the Display Option requester will appear 

3.select the English Unit SyStem and click OK or hit 
   Return 
      we are using the English unit system because the ruler is 
       in English measure 

4.select the ruler object 
   make sure it is the only object selected 

5.activate Dimensions (F3) 
  the Dimensions requester will appear 

6.select Mode-LocKED, Refer-LAYER, Reference Point 
   Y-Bottom, SIZE ALL, and enter I in the DATA SIZE 
   DEPTH...Z field and click OK or hit Return 

Now the model is in real world dimensions. For a brief 
explanation: we selected Mode-Locked because we wanted 
the model to scale proportionately based on the one 
dimension that we entered, next we selected Refer-Layer 
because we wanted Dimensions to use the entire layer to 
calculate the reference point and NOT just the selected ruler 
object; and in conjunction with this option, we chose to have 
the bottom of all the data in the layer (whlch is the bottom 
of the table) to be the reference polnt by selecting Reference 
Point Y-Boftom; and finally, by cllcking the Size All button we 
have opted to have all of the data scale according to the 
new dimension that we entered into the Depth..Z field (which 
was one foot...the length of the ruler). 

A Potential Problem 

The one thing that could have gone wrong with thls 
example is if the ruler was on an angle on the desk in the 
top view. If this was the case, the Data Size values that 
Dimensions returns to us would not be as we expect. The 
LightWave 3D Modeler does not know that thls is a ruler; it 
has no clue about the orientation of the model. AII it sees is 
a collection of points and polygons. So, the Data Size values 
that Dimensions will calculate will be that of the bounding 
box of the collection of points that we have called "ruler'. 
Fortunately, MacroForm's ProductivityToolz has a tool that 
can handle this situation as well. 
l 
