Adjust the Viewpoint (3D View)

Adjusting the Viewpoint refers to what you can do within a 3D View panel. Following are explanations of each feature and how to use it.

Features to Adjust the viewpoint in a 3D View Panel

Zoom Features

There a two methods for zooming; you can simply use your mouse or use the Zoom tools on the View ribbon.

Use Your Mouse to Zoom

When you want to zoom in on the model to see more detail or zoom out to view the whole model at once, it is easier to use your mouse wheel.

To zoom in or out using your mouse wheel:

• To zoom IN rotate the wheel forward.

• To zoom OUT rotate the wheel backward.

Use the Zoom Tools

The Zoom tools found on the View ribbon, can also be used for zooming in or out. First, you choose the zoom state (In or Out) using the appropriate icon in the ribbon, then you use your mouse to incrementally zoom. There are two additional Zoom tools: ‘Zoom Extent’ and ‘Zoom Box’. These are explained below.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Zoom Extent - tool

This tool resets the view to Full Model View. It is especially useful for resetting the model view after you’ve zoomed into a specific area, though it also resets from a zoomed out view.

To zoom to full model view:

• Click the Zoom Extents icon.

Zoom In - tool

This tool sets the Zoom state to “In” so that each time you click your mouse button, the model view is enlarged.

1. Click the Zoom In icon on the View ribbon.

2. Click anywhere in the model (3D View panel) to enlarge the model view.

3. Repeat step 2 until the model view is enlarged enough.

Zoom Out - tool

This tool sets the Zoom state to “Out” so that each time you click your mouse button, the model view is reduced.

1. Click the Zoom Out icon on the View ribbon.

2. Click anywhere in the model (3D View panel) to reduce the model view.

3. Repeat step 2 until the model view is reduced enough.

Zoom Box - tool

This tool lets you select a specific area to zoom into by drawing a box around the area.

To zoom into a specific area of the model:

1. Click the Zoom Box icon on the View ribbon.

2. In the model view, click on one point and hold your mouse button down as you drag down to the opposite corner, creating a box around the area you want to zoom into.

   

3. Lift up the mouse button.

   The area is selected and the view automatically zooms in on it.

   

Pan the View

The Pan feature lets you drag the model view to the edges of the 3D view panel. You can accomplish this by using one of two methods: your mouse scroll wheel or the right-click menu.

Pan Using Your Mouse Wheel

To pan the model view using your mouse wheel:

1. Click and hold the mouse wheel button to trigger the dynamic pan.

   You’ll see a panning icon appear, indicating that you are in panning mode and can begin dragging. You can drag the model view in any direction.

2. While still holding down the mouse wheel, drag the model view in the direction where you want to move it.

3. Release the mouse wheel when the model view is placed where you want it.

Pan Using the Right-Click Menu

To pan the model view using the right-click menu:

1. Right-click anywhere in the model view panel.

2. Choose Pan from the menu that appears.

   You’ll see the panning icon appear, indicating that you are in panning mode and can begin dragging.

3. Click and hold your left mouse button and drag the model view in the direction where you want to move it.

4. Release the mouse button when the model view is placed where you want it.

5. To turn off panning mode, click the right-mouse button.

Snap to a View

To snap to an isometric or planar view of the model:

1. Click the Snap button at the top of the 3D View window that corresponds to what you want.

   

   Note that you can add your own custom snap view to the toolbar. When doing so, the current view is saved with the name you provide and added to the end of the toolbar.

   Alternatively, you can right-click in the existing 3D View and select Add New 3D View.

Rotate a View

There are two methods for rotating a view; click or drag. An additional feature lets you quickly reset the model’s rotation to its original, default position.

As you rotate a view, the global X-Y-Z axis orientation is shown by the orientation of the 3D box.

Click to Rotate

To use the click method to rotate a view:

1. Click the rotate icon that corresponds to the rotation degree you want to use.

   

   You can also change the rotation angle by entering a different degree magnitude. This affects the rotation of the model as you click to rotate.

2. (Optional) To change the rotation angle:

   1. Type the degree magnitude in the box, as shown in the following image.

      

   2. Click the rotate icon that corresponds to the rotation angle you want the model rotated.

      The model is set to the degree you’ve entered and the orientation of the 3D box changes to reflect the angle and degree.

Drag to Rotate

You can use one of the following drag methods to rotate the model view:

• While holding down the SHIFT key, press the mouse wheel to dynamically rotate the structure. See Dynamic View Controls for more information.

• Click and drag on the 3D box to change the rotation of the model.

  Default Rotation	Click and Drag

• Use a global axis to rotate the view by hovering over the axis until it turns blue, then clicking and dragging to change the rotation of the model.

  

  Note: If you hold down the SHIFT key while rotating the model using the individual axis, the model only rotates at 45 degree increments around that axis.

Reset Rotation to Default

To reset the rotation of the model view to its original, default position:

• Double-click in the 3D box.

  

  The view is reset to the original, default position and the 3D box is returned to its original default as well, shown in the following image.

  

3D View Display Options

Each 3D View has several display options located at the top of the view; Show Loads, Show Results and Show Deflection.

Show Loads

The ‘Show Loads’ icon lets you display loads in the model view.

To show loads in the model view panel:

1. Click the Toggle Display of Loads icon to display loads.

2. Click the Type down arrow and choose whether you want to display loads based on Basic Load Case, Load Category or Load Combination.

3. Click the down arrow in the second box and choose which load case, category or combination is shown in the view. Note that this box is only active when you choose a Load; it is not visible when you choose Envelope.

See Model View Settings for more control over the display of loads.

Show Results

The ‘Show Results’ icon lets display color coded results in your model view.

To show results:

1. Click the Results icon.
2. Click the Type down arrow and choose whether you want to display color coded results based on Basic Load Case, Load Category or Load Combination.

3. Click the down arrow in the second box and choose which load case, category or combination results are to be colored coded in the model view. Note that this box is only active when you choose a Load; it is not visible when you choose Envelope.

   A color legend appears and color coded results based on your choices, appear in the model.

See Results View Settings for more control over the display of results.

Show Deflect

The ‘Show Deflect’ icon lets you display the deflected shape in your model view; with or without an undeflected shadow.

To show the deflected shape:

1. Click the Deflect icon.

2. (Optional) Click the Deflect down arrow to choose whether to view the deflected shape with or without an undeflected shadow (as shown in the following image).

   

   The model’s deflected shape is displayed.