3DVIA® - 3DVIA

Before you create your first 3D model, it is important to have a clear idea of how to move around in 3D.

A basic mistake we see many first time Shape users make, is trying to create a model, before they even know how to view that model. We call this mistake “Running before you can walk”. If you do this, you can still learn 3D modeling, but you are going to “fall down”, many (many!) times.

A better approach to 3D (and to learning any 3D application) is to “learn to walk” before trying out more complex functionality. In 3DVIA Shape, “learning to walk” is called “Changing Viewpoints”, and basic instructions can be found on this page.

Viewing objects in 3D is more complicated than 2D. If you have extensively used 3D (in games, or CAD applications), you will already know this. If you haven’t used 3D before, it will take some time to understand and master the basic concepts that allow you to “move around” in 3D space. I thought I would give you a quick overview of 3DVIA Shape object navigation, explaining 3D navigational concepts and providing tips on how and when to use them. This should get you going quickly.

There are 4 basic navigational functions in 3DVIA Shape:

1. Center (“center” the viewpoint on an object)
2. Pan (move an object up, down, left or right)
3. Rotate (rotate around an object)
4. Zoom (move viewpoint closer or further away)

3DVIA Shape has 2 ways of using the mouse to control the viewpoint navigation functions.

One way is to use the Pan, Rotate and Zoom Tool, which is located at the bottom of the window.

The other way is to the middle mouse button, which on most pointing devices is the scroll wheel. [Yes the scroll wheel can be clicked, and when clicked is called the “middle mouse button”.] This blog entry provides detailed instructions on how to use the middle mouse button to navigate Shape 3D models. While this technique is harder to learn, it is the best technique to learn if you want to learn how to build models.

Centering

Of these functions, the most important concept is “Centering.” Centering is hard to understand, because it doesn’t have an exact 2D equivalent. Centering allows the user to reset (and relocate) the exact of part of a model that they want to work with and look at more closely.

To learn to use Center, it’s a good idea to practice on an existing model. You can do this by going to a model page and using the Remix link to bring that model up into Shape for viewing and editing. I have setup a model for you to use here.

After you have logged in, click the “Remix” link right next to the model on that page.

To Center the view point, you point to an object and click and release the middle mouse button. Try this now, first on the Pyramid and then on the Cylinder.

Centering on the pyramid places the pyramid at the center of the window and centering on the cylinder places the cylinder at the center of the Shape window.

If this didn’t work as expected, you should try again. This time be careful to depress the middle mouse button without moving the position of the mouse on the desk. This should work now. If you press the middle mouse button, but move the mouse (even slightly), then the centering action doesn’t happen. This is because the combination of holding down MMB and moving the mouse causes viewpoint panning (horizontal or vertical displacement).

Pan

To pan means to move objects on the screen horizontally or vertically, following movements of the mouse. The easiest way to Pan in 3DVIA Shape is to click and hold down the middle mouse button and “drag”. This is identical to click and drag in 2D (like Google Maps) and should be easy to learn. One point to keep in mind is that Pan does not change the Center location, so you are moving the Center when you Pan the viewpoint. Please try panning the test model now. Move the viewpoint so that the Brick is near the center of the window.

Rotate

Rotation changes the angle from which the 3D model is being viewed. The viewing angle can be changed in either the horizontal plane, or the vertical plane (or both at the same time).

You rotate by holding down the middle and left mouse buttons at the same time. The order in which you depress the buttons is important. First click and hold the middle mouse button. Then click and hold the left mouse button. Now drag the mouse. Vertical rotation happens when you drag the mouse forward and backward. Horizontal rotation is controlled by dragging the mouse to the left and right.

Zoom

Zooming allows you change your distance from an object. Activate the Zoom function by clicking and holding down the middle mouse button, and then, clicking and releasing the left mouse button. Now when you drag the mouse forward and backward, you will get closer and further away from objects on the screen.

Zoom with Scroll Wheel

You can also access Zoom at any time, by rotating the scroll wheel. Zooming in using the scroll wheel works a little differently than zooming out. If you position the pointer at the top edge of the cube and scroll the wheel forward, the zoom in motion keeps the pointer location in the same place. Note how you end up with the edge of the cube at the center of the window.

I hope you find this overview of Shape Viewpoint Navigation helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to post comments in the blog.