The Move tool allows you to move and place your parts precisely, by shifting them along a specific axis. Prior to May 2024, Move was named Translation.

If you’re using Studio Version 2.24.2_4 or earlier, please see the dedicated section below about using the older version. To learn about the Rotation and Hinge tools, please see Rotating and hinging parts.

Accessing the Move tool

To use the Move tool:

1. Select the Move icon in the tool bar at the top of your screen. You can also access the tool from the context menu. Right click or Ctrl + click the parts and select Move from the dropdown menu.
2. Select the parts you want to move.
3. Three different arrows will appear, each on a different axis and colored red, blue, and green.
4. Click on one of the arrows and drag your mouse in the direction the arrow is pointing to move the parts along that axis.
5. Clicking the yellow cube allows you to switch between the absolute and relative axis.

Using the Move tool

Grab an axis arrow and drag the parts along that axis. The nudge value depends on the Grid. You can also use the arrow keys (← → ↑ ↓) to move the selection.

• The default nudge is fixed at 4 LDU (half a plate).
• Ctrl makes it 8 LDU (a plate).
• Shift makes it 20 LDU (a stud).

You can also directly edit the coordinates in the text field next to the yellow cube (in LDU).

Reference grid

By default, a part’s axes are all relative to the part’s grid. “Up” shows the top of the part, “left/right” shows the left and right sides of the part, and “back/front” shows the back and front sides of the part. The axes should reorient as the part rotates. There is an absolute grid (sometimes called the scene grid) in the background and its axes don’t change. The absolute grid represents the ground.

To switch between a part’s relative grid and absolute grid, click on the yellow cube at the base of the colored arrows.

The arrows aren't always oriented in the negative to the positive direction.

 

X coordinates are determined from left to right on the screen.
Y coordinates are determined from the ground. A positive Y means the location is below the ground and a negative number is above the ground.
Z coordinates are determined from back to front.

Studio Version 2.24.2_4 and earlier

The Translation Tool was updated and renamed to Move in May 2024. Please see below for help with the older version.

The Translation tool allows you to move and place your parts more precisely.

Accessing the tool

To use the tool, select parts and press T on your keyboard or:

1. Select parts
2. Hover over the Minifigure hand icon
   
   
3. Click on the right icon
   
   
4. The Translation tool, a yellow cube with three jutting arrows, will show over the parts you selected.
   

Using the Translation tool

Grab an axis arrow and drag the parts along that axis. The nudge value depends on the Grid. You can also use the arrow keys (← → ↑ ↓) to move the selection.

• The default nudge is fixed at 4 LDU (half a plate).
• Ctrl makes it 8 LDU (a plate).
• Shift makes it 20 LDU (a stud).

You can also directly edit the coordinates in the text field next to the yellow cube (in LDU).

Reference grid

By default, a part’s axes are all relative to the part’s grid. “Up” shows the top of the part, “left/right” shows the left and right sides of the part, and “back/front” shows the back and front sides of the part. The axes should reorient as a part rotates. There is an absolute grid (sometimes called the scene grid) in the background and its axes don’t change. It’s the grid that represents the ground.

To switch between a part’s relative grid and absolute grid click on the yellow cube at the base of the blue arrows.

The blue arrows aren't always oriented in the negative to the positive direction.

X coordinates are determined from left to right on the screen.
Y coordinates are determined from the ground. A positive Y means the location is below the ground and a negative number is above it.
Z coordinates are determined from back to front.