# Place Assets ## Begin Game Maker 3 ### Place & Position Assets (Objects) #### :green\_circle: EASY In this activity, you will practice placing and positioning assets in Game Maker to add 3D interactive objects to a scene. You will also learn about the relationships that can be created between objects using the Hierarchy. {% embed url="" %} {% tabs %} {% tab title="Start" %} ### **Launch Game Maker** * Open or create an Experience. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Library" %} ### **Find Assets** Open the Library (press **`L`**) and add assets to your quick access bar: * Add two assets to your quick access bar from the **Props** and **Characters** tabs {% endtab %} {% tab title="Place & Remove" %} ### **Place and Remove Objects** {% hint style="info" %} An object is an instance of an asset placed in an Experience. You can place as many objects as you want using an asset. Objects snap to block surfaces when placed. {% endhint %} * With an asset selected in the quick access bar, **`LEFT CLICK`** inside the viewport to place it * Press **`SHIFT`** to snap to the grid when placing an asset * To remove an object: * **`RIGHT CLICK`** the object while in **Place** mode or * Press **`Z`** to change to **Select** mode, **`LEFT CLICK`** to select the object, and press **`DELETE`** * In **Select** mode, **`LEFT CLICK`** to select an object and duplicate it with **`CTRL`+`D`** **Multi-Select** * Practice selecting multiple objects and try duplicating and deleting a group: * Drag the mouse to draw a rectangle (this selects all objects behind the rectangle to the edge of the Experience) * Press **`SHIFT`** and click one item at a time to add to your selection * Press **`CTRL`** to add and remove an object from your selection {% endtab %} {% tab title="Grid" %} ### **View and Snap to the Grid** The grid system and snap tools allow for custom block and asset placement for any project. * Open **Grid** settings to hide or show the grid, adjust scale, and set opacity. Let's leave the grid on * Place an object with the grid's **`OSNAP`** toggle on, and notice that you can turn on and off the **`X`, `Y`, or `Z`** axes * Snap an object to the ground with a click {% endtab %} {% tab title="Movement" %} ### **Move Objects** * Change to **Move** mode and select the object to turn on the move gizmo, then: * Click and drag a coloured arrow to move the object on one axis * Move the mouse pointer between two arrows to activate a plane to move only between those two axes * Move to the center where the arrows meet to activate a cube to move freely between all three axes * In the **Properties** panel, modify position coordinates to move the asset with precision **Test Movement with a Custom Grid** * Change the grid's movement setting to 2 blocks and turn on **`OSNAP`**, then test moving objects {% endtab %} {% tab title="Rotation" %} ### **Rotate Objects** * Press **`O`** to Turn off **`OSNAP`** * Change to **Rotate** mode and select the object to turn on the rotate gizmo, then: * Click and drag a coloured curve to rotate the object on one axis * Hover over the gizmo to activate a sphere to rotate freely between all three axes * In the **Properties** panel, modify rotation coordinates to rotate the asset with precision **Test Rotation with a Custom Grid** * Change the grid's rotation setting to 30 degrees and turn on **`OSNAP`**, then test rotating objects {% endtab %} {% tab title="Hierarchy" %} **Test the Hierarchy to Control Objects** An object can be moved or rotated in relation to a parent object. This relationship can be created in the **Hierarchy** (**`H`**). * Click an object in the Viewport and notice it is highlighted in the Hierarchy * In the Hierarchy, drag and drop that object onto another object to make it a child * Select the parent object and test movement and rotation to see how it controls the child object's position and rotation {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ### Follow Up **Practice:** Use what you've learned to build a small scene of objects. It takes time to get used to the controls with the mouse and keyboard shortcuts, but the tools are very flexible to build any project. The next activity will introduce behaviours to drive an object's actions and tags to customize how objects can detect and respond to each other. *** ## :heavy\_plus\_sign: Relevant Resources
using-assets-and-objectsWhen you place an asset, it becomes an object. You can place an asset as many times as you like. Learn more and see examples of managing object position.GM 0.9 Logic Actor General.png
grid-system-and-snap-toolThe grid is a useful tool to measuring 3D space when blocking out your Experience. It also makes it easy to place, move, and rotate objects quickly to the increments you set.GM grid osnap.png
detailing-dressingWhen you're building a game, you'll add decorative props after your gameplay logic. Now is a great time for beginners to practice detailing to create scenery. Check out our design tips.image.png
experience-art-conceptCreate a mood board of inspiring graphics to help define your game's art style. We recommend some great tools to get started and visual elements to consider.oracles faction concept to voxel art.png
worldbuildingCheck out our useful tips and examples for how to craft worlds with different approaches: character-first, concept-first, and world-first.gm worldbuilding.png
*** ## Forum: Community Ideas & Support
Visit the Forum13 community - blog.pnghttps://forum.sandbox.game/t/begin-game-maker-series-3-place-assets/1805

A forum post has been created for this learning activity! Visit to:

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  • Post ideas about the topic

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https://forum.sandbox.game/t/begin-game-maker-series-3-place-assets/1805
*** ## Other "Begin Game Maker" Videos
play-test
build-with-blocks
place-assets
set-object-actions
trigger-logic
craft-quests
set-up-mechanics
build-multiplayer-games