# ![Orientation](images/icons/HandleAlign_Local.png) Orientation

The __Orientation__ tool sets the orientation of Scene handles when you select [objects and elements](modes.md). Click the __Orientation__ button to switch between the three states: __Global__, __Local__, or __Normal__.

![Handle Orientation Examples](images/HandleAlign_ExamplesWithTextAndIcons.png)

Depending whether you are in [text mode or icon mode](toolbar.md#buttonmode), the button displays the following to indicate what state the tool is in:

| ***Icon mode:***                                             | *Text mode:*            | ***Description:***                                           |
| :----------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ![Handle Alignment Global](images/icons/HandleAlign_World.png) | **Orientation: Global** | Similar to a compass, the handle orientation is always the same, regardless of local rotation. |
| ![Handle Alignment Local](images/icons/HandleAlign_Local.png) | **Orientation: Local**  | Similar to *left vs right*, handle orientation is relative to the object's rotation. |
| ![Handle Alignment Planar](images/icons/HandleAlign_Plane.png) | **Orientation: Normal** | Special mode that aligns the handles to the exact normal direction of the selected face. |

This tool is available in all [edit modes](modes.md).

> **Tip:** You can also use this tool with the **P** hotkey.
