3D view tools Estimated reading: 7 minutes 771 views The toolbar for the 3D view is located above the top edge of the 3D viewport. It contains various tools that can be easily activated by selecting. Some tools also appear in other palettes with a similar activation. Navigation regime The navigation regime is a unique selection that allows the individual 3D BIM model elements to be selected. To add elements to any selection, hold down the Ctrl key and click on elements. To exclude the elements from the selection, hold down the Alt key and select the elements. While the Navigation regime is active, it is possible to use other tools for easier exploration of the viewport, such as Pan Mode, Zoom Mode, Fit to bounds, Rotate Mode, Set rotate type, and Walk Mode. Selection regime and Selection modes The selection regime is a rectangular selection tool. When the elements are marked from left to right, only those elements completely in the selection rectangle are selected. When the elements are marked from right to left, all elements are selected, although they are only partially affected by the selection rectangle. In the Selection Modes drop-down menu, commands such as New Selection, Add to Selection, Intersect with Selection or Subtract from Selection allow making other choices within the existing group of selected items. Set aspect ratio A set aspect ratio is a tool for adjusting the aspect ratio of the presentation field. The aspect ratio is also used for taking screenshots. By default, this is set to Free Aspect, but there are also options for fixed aspect ratios like 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, and Custom. Render Mode Render Mode is a tool that allows different scene appearances, such as Wireframe render mode, Shaded render mode, or Shaded and Edges render mode. The render mode tool can apply changes to the entire model. Modify opacity levels The Modify opacity levels tool determines the transparency of the whole model. Opacity values are given from 10 to 100 %. The Reset command resets the original value of the model opacity, while the Reset (Full) command sets the full visibility of the model regardless of the previous settings. Switch to a predefined view The project can be reviewed with predefined views for understanding the element’s position in the project quickly and accurately. This tool can also help create screenshots for project presentations because it allows observing 3D models from all sides. An especially useful type of predefined view is the Top. This view shows a building floor plan if a particular floor is isolated. Predefined views can also be activated by clicking on different sides of the cube in the upper right corner of the viewport. Field of view (FOV) Field of View can be defined when the Perspective view is active. The angle of view and the focal length in millimetres determine this observation field. These parameters are interdependent. The smaller the focal length is, the more amplified perspective is. Set background texture With this option, a background texture can be downloaded from a local computer. To remove the texture, click again on this option. Grid options This option enables the display of grids from the source models. It is possible to choose from which source model the grid will be obtained and to set its elevation. Take a screenshot of the current view This tool allows creating a screenshot of the current view. The screenshot can be exported in BMP, JPG, PNG, or GIF format. By clicking on the screenshot icon, the Screenshot Configuration window opens, containing General, Level Map, and Additional Information tabs. General tabResolution → Dimensions of the image can be specified.Keep Selected Elements Highlighted → If checked, the selected highlighted elements remain colored as they are in the viewport.Override Visual Settings, Override Background Color, or Transparent → If checked, the background color can be overridden or transparent.Draw Grid and Axes → If checked, grids and axes will be included in the screenshot.Preview screenshot → If checked, the screenshot preview will be automatically opened after saving the image in the desired location. Level Map tabThe Level Map tab displays the level map in the screenshot. It contains options for position and size, background color, frame, font settings, and display cursor. In addition, it will show the level that is selected in the Level Map palette, which is on the right side of the user interface by default. Additional Information tabAdditional information can be added on screenshots, such as clash information or custom text. This tab contains the position, background, frame, and font settings for additional information. Create animation viewpoint The Create animation viewpoint option is by default used to save the point of view from which the model is observed.All created viewpoints are saved in the Scenes and Animations tab at the bottom of the screen. Create animation scene The Create animation scene option saves the point of view, visibility, color and render type of elements.All created scenes are saved in the Scenes and Animations tab at the bottom of the screen. Rotate This option enables the rotation of sources or selected elements. Rotation of sources Select the arrow next to Rotate command in the toolbar to open the drop-down menu → Choose Sources… command → Check the sources you want to rotate → Enter the Rotation Angle → Complete the procedure by clicking the OK button Rotation of selected elements Select the elements to rotate → Select the arrow next to Rotate command in the toolbar to open the drop-down menu → Choose Selected Elements… command → Enter the Rotation Angle → Complete the procedure by clicking the OK button Translate This option enables the translation of sources or selected elements. Translation can be done using snap points or vectors. Translation of sources Translation of sources by snap points → To open the drop-down menu, select the arrow next to the Translate command in the toolbar → Choose Sources By Snap Points command → Select the start point of the alignment → Select the endpoint of the alignment → Align Sources window opens → Check the sources you want to translate → Complete the procedure by clicking the OK button Translation of sources by a vector → Select the arrow next to the Translate command in the toolbar to open the drop-down menu → Choose Sources… command → Align Sources window opens → Check the sources you want to translate → Enter Alignment Vector → Complete the procedure by clicking the OK button Translation of selected elements Translation of selected elements by snap points → Select the elements you want to translate → Select the arrow next to the Translate command in the toolbar to open the drop-down menu → Choose Align By Snap Points… command → Select the start point of the alignment → Select the endpoint of the alignment Translation of selected elements by a vector → Select the elements you want to translate → Select the arrow next to the Translate command in the toolbar to open the drop-down menu → Choose By Vector… command → Translation window opens → Enter Translation Vector → Complete the procedure by clicking the OK button View cube tool The view cube is located in the right corner of the 3D viewport. The cube sides are named by standard view types such as Top, Back, Front, etc. Selecting any cube side shows the same side of the 3D BIM model.
