Projection
The projection commands alter the way the program displays the 3D geometry of the drawing on a 2D screen.
The perspective-related projection commands add distortion to the drawing so that objects that are farther away appear smaller than objects that are closer. These views closely approximate how the 3D model would display in the real world.
In addition to the standard 2D Plan projection, there are nine 3D projection modes; a Two-Point Perspective option is available for perspective projection modes.
To change projection modes:
Select View > Projection, and then select a projection.
The View bar also provides quick access to the projection commands. Click the Current Projection and select a projection from the list that displays.
Current Projection/Projections list
|
Projection mode |
Description |
|
2D Plan |
Matches the projection for a normal 2D drawing; use this view to draw 2D objects |
|
Orthogonal |
Displays an undistorted 3D projection of the drawing; objects display at their exact size regardless of their distance from the layer plane |
|
Narrow Perspective |
Displays a projection of the drawing similar to a telephoto lens |
|
Normal Perspective |
Displays a projection of the drawing similar to a portrait lens |
|
Wide Perspective |
Displays a projection of the drawing similar to a wide angle or fisheye lens |
|
Sets a custom perspective numerically. The Set Perspective dialog box opens. Enter a custom Distance or a Field of View (in degrees) to define the perspective. The lower the distance value, the wider the angle of perspective. Alternatively, drag the slider under the Field of View parameter to the left or right. These settings are interdependent; changing one automatically changes the other. You can enter a Field of View value of up to 170° in the text field, but the slider allows a maximum value of only 120°. |
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|
Two-Point Perspective |
For perspective projections, toggles on or off two-point perspective. When enabled, all vertical lines in the drawing (lines on the Z axis) display as both parallel and vertical. Two-point perspective remains active through view changes, until it is disabled, a different perspective is selected, or the view moves too near the top or bottom of the model to maintain two-point perspective without distortion.
A view in normal perspective, with Two-Point Perspective disabled (left) and enabled (right) |
|
Oblique Cavalier (30° or 45°) |
The Cavalier modes show an undistorted front view along with depth (also known as full-depth axonometric projections). The lines along the Z axis (which show the depth of an object) are represented in true length. This distorts the overall image of the object and makes it appear deeper. These modes make precise measurements possible, either from a printout of the drawing or from the screen image. |
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Oblique Cabinet (30° or 45°) |
The Oblique Cabinet modes (also known as half-depth axonometric projections) are similar to Oblique Cavalier. However, the depth lines are shortened by 50%. This distorts the actual length of these lines, but represents a more natural view of the object. These modes can still be used to take measurements of vectors perpendicular to the projection plan (along the Z axis) from a printed drawing, but the results must be multiplied by two to obtain the actual dimension. |
Shaded and Renderworks render modes do not support the Oblique projections; files with a Shaded or Renderworks render mode are converted from an Oblique projection to Orthogonal projection when saved. To render Oblique projections, use one of the Polygon render modes, or use Hidden Line mode.
A Vectorworks preference sets the preferred projection, applied whenever the drawing is switched from Top/Plan into a 3D view; see Vectorworks preferences: 3D pane.
Click Open Projection Preferences from the View bar 
for a quick shortcut to the 3D pane of Vectorworks preferences.
In a perspective view, a shaded horizon representation is displayed in the background. The horizon provides a visual indication of the vertical position of the observer with respect to objects in the scene. The horizon does not print or export. The green color represents the ground below the horizon, and the blue color represents the sky above it, helping with orientation. The color of the ground and sky can be changed; see Interactive appearance settings.
In a perspective view, scrolling within the drawing, as well as using the Pan and Zoom tools, will result in perspective camera movement while the view remains centered in the window. When there are no objects in the current view to use as a reference during movement, a special indicator displays to help orient the movement.
The empty view indicator provides visual 3D navigation feedback when there are no objects in the perspective view
The Translate View tool can also be used to move through a model and interactively adjust the perspective distortion while in a perspective projection; see Translate view.