Transform a Selection Instead of the Whole Layer

Voxel transforms do not always have to affect the whole layer.

If voxels are selected in the active voxel grid, you can transform just that selection instead of transforming the full Voxel Layer.

Why This Matters

A lot of edits only need to affect part of a voxel model.

In those cases, transforming the entire layer would be the wrong workflow.

Foxel supports direct interactive transforms on voxel selections, so you can move, rotate, or scale only the selected voxel region.

How Voxel Selection Transforms Work

The key rule is:

• If voxels are selected in the active voxel grid, transforms affect that selection.
• If no voxels are selected, transforms affect the selected Voxel Layer or layers instead.

That means the current voxel selection determines whether you are transforming part of the voxel data or the whole voxel object.

Interactive Transform Tools

To transform a voxel selection interactively:

1. Activate a voxel grid.
2. Select the voxels you want to transform.
3. Activate the Move Tool, Rotate Tool, or Scale Tool.
4. Use the gizmo in the viewport to adjust the selection.
5. Release the mouse button to apply the transformation.

These tools affect only the selected voxels in the active voxel grid.

They do not transform the Voxel Object itself.

Move Tool

The Move Tool moves the selected voxels.

It lets you move the selection:

• Along a single axis.
• Within a plane.
• Freely in space.

Use it when part of the model should be repositioned without moving the entire Voxel Layer.

Rotate Tool

The Rotate Tool rotates the selected voxels.

It lets you rotate the selection:

• Around a specific axis.
• Freely.

Hold Shift while rotating around an axis to snap in 45° increments.

Use it when part of the model should change orientation while the rest of the layer stays in place.

Scale Tool

The Scale Tool scales the selected voxels.

It lets you scale the selection:

• Along a single axis.
• Uniformly.

Use it when part of the model should become larger, smaller, wider, taller, or flatter without scaling the whole layer.

Gizmo Behavior

The gizmo appears at the center of the current voxel selection.

This makes it easier to transform only the selected region without changing the layer’s overall transform.

If the gizmo appears somewhere unexpected, check the current voxel selection first.

Useful Shortcuts

Foxel provides several useful shortcuts for voxel selection transforms:

Action	Shortcut
Temporarily use the Move Tool	Hold Ctrl
Nudge selected voxels relative to the current camera view	Arrow keys
Nudge by 10 units instead of 1	Hold Shift while nudging
Create a copy at the original position while moving or nudging	Hold Alt

These shortcuts are useful for fast adjustments without switching tools or opening dialogs.

Dialog-Based Transforms

You can also transform voxel selections with dialog-based voxel transform commands under:

Voxel > Transform

Useful commands include:

• Translate
• Rotate
• Scale

Dialog-based transforms are useful when you want exact numeric values.

The interactive tools are usually faster when shaping a selection directly in the viewport.

When To Use Selection Transforms

Use selection transforms when:

• Only part of a model should move.
• A detail needs to be repositioned.
• A section should be copied and moved.
• A selected region should be rotated or scaled.
• You want to edit voxel data without changing the object transform.

Use whole-layer transforms when the entire Voxel Layer should move, rotate, or scale as an object.

What To Remember

• If voxels are selected, transforms affect the selection.
• If no voxels are selected, transforms affect the selected Voxel Layer or layers.
• The Move Tool, Rotate Tool, and Scale Tool work directly on voxel selections.
• The gizmo appears at the center of the selection.
• Hold Ctrl to temporarily use the Move Tool.
• Use the arrow keys to nudge selected voxels.
• Hold Shift while nudging to move by 10 units.
• Hold Alt while moving or nudging to create a copy at the original position.
• Dialog-based transform commands are available when exact values are needed.