Rotating the 3D View

To rotate the 3D view, either use the Rotate View tool and the mouse, or specify rotation values with the Rotate 3D View command.

Rotating with the Mouse

The Rotate View tool rotates the view clockwise or counter-clockwise in 3D.

To control the movements of the Rotate View tool, drag the mouse or click one of the mode buttons. The first three Tool bar buttons set the center of rotation. The last two modes perform precise, incremental rotation movements in the direction specified.

RotateView_modes.png 

RotateView_tool.png 

To rotate the 3D view:

  1. Click the Rotate View tool from the Visualization tool set.

  2. Select the mode from the Tool bar.

    3.  

    Mode
    Description

    Rotate Around Object Center

    Uses the center of selected objects as the rotation center

    Rotate Around Active Layer Plane Center

    Uses the center of the active layer plane as the rotation center

    Rotate Around Working Plane Center

    Uses the origin of the current working plane as the rotation center

  3. To rotate the view, click the drawing and drag while holding the mouse button. Move the cursor to rotate the view in the direction of the cursor movement. Release the mouse button to stop the rotation. Alternatively, use the two Tool bar buttons.

 

Mode
Mouse Movement/Key
Description

 

Move left or right

Rotates about the screen Y axis (or the screen Z axis if the cursor is at the perimeter of the drawing)

 

Move up or down

Rotates about the screen X axis (or the screen Z axis if the cursor is at the perimeter of the drawing)

Rotate Clockwise

 

Each click rotates the view in a clockwise direction about the selected center of rotation

Rotate Counter-Clockwise

 

Each click rotates the view in a counter-clockwise direction about the selected center of rotation

 

Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac)

Draws selected objects in full detail, and hides deselected objects (so that the redraws are faster)

When the Rotate View tool is in use, the Data bar displays the following information to help orient the view.

Data Bar
Description

Azimuth

Displays the active layer plane angle (in degrees) between the positive X axis and the direction from the selected center of rotation to the viewer

Elevation

Displays the angle (in degrees) between the selected center of rotation and the plane which is parallel to the active layer plane and passes through the view origin

Roll

Displays (in degrees) the amount of rotation about the selected rotation center

 

Rotating Precisely

The Rotate 3D View command provides a precise way to rotate the 3D view. Enter rotation values directly, or rotate the view in increments. A preview displays the rotation movements before the actual view is rotated.

To rotate the 3D view:

  1. Select View > Rotate 3D View.

    2. The Rotate 3D View dialog box opens.

    Click to show/hide the parameters.

  2. Specify the rotation criteria, and then click OK to rotate the 3D view as specified.

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Simulating Movement

Working Plane View and Modes

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