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. 

When Two-Point Perspective is enabled for a perspective projection (see Projection), it remains active until the view moves too near the top or bottom of the model to maintain two-point perspective without distortion. You cannot roll the view (rotate the view sideways) when Two-Point Perspective is enabled.

Rotating with the mouse

Tool	Tool set	Shortcut
Rotate View	Visualization	Shift+W

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.

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
Rotate Clockwise/Counter-Clockwise	As an alternative to moving the cursor to set the rotation direction, instantly rotates the view clockwise or counter-clockwise

To rotate the 3D view:

Click the tool and modes.

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 tool modes to control clockwise/counter-clockwise movement.

 

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

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 that 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

Command	Path
Rotate 3D View	View

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:

Select the command.

The Rotate 3D View dialog box opens.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Simulating movement

Concept: Working planes