In softimage there is an option for manipulators called “keep manipulator visible in 3d view”. Basically, when the manipulators for the object you have selected go out of view it kinda pushes them back into view at the edge of the screen. Which of course, is hugely helpful as in maya either you have to zoom out, reducing translate resolution, or use the channel box.
So yeah, does anyone know of a similar item, or script that adds it in, for maya?
Not really sure exactly what you want but i will give it a try.
Imagine a very long cube so the pivot would be at the center then you move it almost completely to the right and release the mouse. Now you want to move it again without moving your camera right?
Is that what you want?
Basically what you can do to move the object without seeing the manipulator or even touch it, is to hold shift and middle mouse button and drag to the direction you want. It will lock to the axes in that direction.
Also you could simply use another view/camera to move your object precisely.
here is a gif showing the shift middle mouse thing
Not the same but this helps a lot. I’m amazed I didn’t know this before. Maya really has so much in there. Thanks for the gif too!
You can also hit the +, - keys (a few times) to make the manipulator massive and do transform and then reset it back after that.
Previous way is easier and simpler.