when I import geometry I can't just “ctrl - click” to get the geo placed right on top of the grid. What's the secret? Thanks!

try hitting “enter”

too funny! Now… let's have an answer that works… Thanks.

If you would like to have your imported geometry sitting on top of the grid, you'll have to position it there with the transformation handle.

Cheers!
steven

jhardy
too funny! Now… let's have an answer that works… Thanks.

uh, nice…
you can try the documentation.

I thought the import tool acted like the primitive creation tools (I've never used the Import Geometry Tool till just now) but I guess it doesn't.

if your geometry is not ‘at the origin’ then you can use the transform SOP
put the following values in:
Transform : -$CEX, -$CEY, -$CEZ
Pivot : $CEX, $CEY, $CEZ

depending on the geometry this will get you pretty close.

Or add a transformSOP and put $YMAX in the ty channel.

Got the transform SOP. Where is the Ty Channel. THanks!

ty is short for Translate Y

you really should go through the tutorials here:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=14&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]

Thanks to all for advice… Here's the problem… see below.

arctor
Transform : -$CEX, -$CEY, -$CEZ

As arctor said. This should do the trick. Make sure that in the pivot area of the transformSOP you dial in $CEX, $CEY, $CEZ (no minus sign in this one), and in the translate channels you dial in -$CEX, -$CEY, -$CEZ.

If you cant get it to work, upload the mesh and i'll take a look.

Or manually place it, by dropping a transformSOP down, and hitting enter over the viewport and drag it via the transform handles.

ragupasta

arctor
… Make sure that in the pivot area of the transformSOP you dial in $CEX, $CEY, $CEZ (no minus sign in this one)…

setting pivot is not necessary since you are only translating
just fill in the translate channels (-$CEX,-$CEY,-$CEZ)
or
if you want it to sit on grid: -$CEX, -$YMIN, -$CEZ

Thanks tamte! That worked exactly as we want it!