Resizing and Scaling Props

Resize and scale props in Garry's Mod with the Tool Gun. Learn uniform and non-uniform scaling for custom builds and proportional accuracy.

3.6. Resizing and Scaling Props

The ability to resize and scale props is fundamental to building in Garry's Mod. It allows you to adapt existing assets to fit your needs, create objects of varying sizes, and maintain proportional consistency in your creations.

The 'Scale' tool, found within the Tool Gun, is your primary instrument for resizing and scaling props. This tool allows you to alter the dimensions of any prop in the game, making it larger, smaller, or changing its proportions. To use the Scale tool, select it from the Tool Gun's menu. You'll typically see options to scale uniformly (keeping the prop's proportions) or non-uniformly (stretching or squashing it along specific axes). When you aim at a prop and left-click, you'll see a visual indicator of the scaling effect. You can then drag your mouse to increase or decrease the size. Holding down the 'Ctrl' key while scaling often allows for finer, more precise adjustments. Uniform scaling is generally preferred for maintaining the integrity of the prop's des, while non-uniform scaling can be useful for creating custom shapes or fitting props into specific spaces. For example, you might want to scale a small table to be much larger to serve as a giant centerpiece, or scale a wall prop to be thinner to create a partition. The Scale tool can be applied to individual props or to groups of props that have been welded together. Be mindful of the prop's original size and complexity when scaling; excessively large or small props can sometimes lead to physics glitches or performance issues. It's also important to consider the context of your build. Scaling props to unrealistic sizes can be a stylistic choice, but for more grounded creations, maintaining a sense of scale is important. The 'Mass' tool can also be used in conjunction with scaling, as increasing a prop's size often increases its mass, affecting how it interacts with physics.

Here’s how to resize props:

1. Select the Scale Tool: Open your Tool Gun and choose the 'Scale' tool.
2. Choose Scaling Mode: Select uniform or non-uniform scaling.
3. Target a Prop: Aim at the prop you want to resize.
4. Apply Scaling: Left-click and drag your mouse to adjust the size.
5. Fine-tune: Hold 'Ctrl' for more precise adjustments.
6. Scale Welded Props: Apply the tool to groups of welded props.

When using the Scale tool, remember that it affects the prop's collision box as well as its visual appearance. This means that a scaled-up prop will have a larger collision area, and a scaled-down prop will have a smaller one. This is important to consider for gameplay mechanics and interactions. For instance, if you scale up a door, its collision box will also increase, potentially blocking pathways. Conversely, scaling down a platform might make it harder for players to stand on. Experiment with different props and scaling factors to understand their behavior. The Scale tool is an essential part of the builder's toolkit, enabling you to adapt the game's assets to your creative vision and build structures and contraptions of any size imaginable.