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Align Tools

MESH ALIGNMENT
📖2 min read

Introduction​

The Align Tools add-on is a free, built-in utility for Blender. Its function is to provide rapid, precise alignment of objects based on a designated Active Object. Alignment operations cover location, rotation, and scale, simplifying scene composition and object placement.

Key Features​

Align Location

Matches the position of selected objects to the active object along specified axes (X, Y, or Z). This is typically based on the object's origin/pivot point.

Align Rotation

Applies the rotation data of the active object to all selected objects.

Align Scale

Resizes selected objects to match the scale of the active object.

Installation​

The Align Tools add-on is included with Blender and needs to be enabled before use.

Step-by-step installation:

  1. Open Blender.
  2. Navigate to Edit in the top menu bar.
  3. Select Preferences.
  4. In the Preferences window, select the Add-ons tab.
  5. Use the search bar and input "align tools".
  6. Locate the entry for "Object: Align Tools" and enable it by checking the box.
  7. Close the Preferences window.

Usage​

Once enabled, the tools are accessible in the 3D Viewport.

Accessing the Align Tools Menu:

  1. In the 3D Viewport, press the N key to open the Sidebar (N-Panel).
  2. Locate and select the Align Tools tab within the Sidebar.

Core Alignment Procedure (Location, Rotation, or Scale):

  1. Select the objects you wish to align.
  2. Note that the last object selected becomes the Active Object, which serves as the alignment target.
  3. In the Align Tools panel, select the desired function:
    • For position, click an Align Location button (e.g., Z-axis) to match the selected objects' position to the active object along that axis.
    • For orientation, click Align Rotation All.
    • For size, click Align Scale.

Advanced Alignment for Complex Placement:

The Advanced Align function allows alignment based on the object's bounding box instead of its origin. This is useful for placing objects directly on a surface.

  1. Select the objects, ensuring the target surface (e.g., a plane) is the Active Object.
  2. Click the Advanced Align button.
  3. In the options panel that appears:
    • Set the Axis (e.g., Z) to the direction you wish to align.
    • Under Align or Target, change the method from Pivot to Minimum (to drop the object's lowest point to the plane).
  4. Execute the alignment.

Summary​

Align Tools is a built-in Blender add-on for quickly matching object position, rotation, and scale to an Active Object. The Advanced Align feature adds bounding-box-based alignment, letting you snap objects to surfaces by their minimum or maximum points.