3DVIA Shape 3.0 has more freeform modeling tools, and makes creating non-square objects much easier.  New features include: revolve, mirroring, drawing on curved surfaces, deform, and offset.  Watch this 1.5 minute overview of what’s new in 3DVIA Shape 3.0.

For a free download of 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Be sure to check out the library of new tips for 3DVIA Shape 3.0 here.

I will have more Cliff’s Clips every Tuesday concentrating on all things 3D!

The 3DVIA team proudly presents the latest version of our free 3D modeling software 3DVIA Shape (Version 3.0)! It is the most feature rich release to date!  This new version extends powerful “freeform” modeling to everyone, allowing users to create smooth curved surfaces for boats, planes, rockets, or anything within a user’s imagination.

Here’s a rundown of some of the key features in 3DVIA Shape 3.0:

	Deform: Easily bend a flat surface to create wavy, swoopy, and curved objects.
	Draw on curved surfaces: Users have better control over deformed surfaces by having the ability to add control lines where needed.
	Revolve: Quickly creates cylindric solids to make cones, spheres, cups, vases, etc.
	Offset: With ease, users can create windows, doors, picture frames by having the ability to thicken, curve and manipulate facets to create depth in an object.
	Mirror: Creates a mirror based duplicate in order to design objects in perfect symmetry.
	Improved Distance Snapping: Snap to specific increments while pushing, pulling or rotating geometry.

3DVIA Shape 3.0 in Action

Check out the following video to get a peek at the above features in action.

NEW 3DVIA Shape Tips and Tricks Videos

We’ve also introduced a new series of recorded Tips and Tricks for 3DVIA Shape 3.0.  These videos range in length from 15 seconds to 2 minutes and are a great way to  quickly get up to speed with new and existing features.  For example, take a look at both Tips #17 and Tip #19 for a more in-depth look at the new deform feature.  I also recommend looking at Tip #4 to quickly learn how the new revolve feature works.  Click here to see all Tips and Tricks videos.  We’ll be adding to this library so please be sure to comments here if you would like to see something specific.

Try 3DVIA Shape today and let us know what you think!

Making 3DVIA Shape even easier!

The latest upgrade for 3DVIA Shape, 3DVIA’s free, online 3D modeling software, is now available for download.  Developed to specifically address user feedback, the new upgrade features several key product enhancements, including improved UI for object manipulation.
Now 3DVIA Shape users will be able to more easily scale, position, and rotate imported models thanks to simple drag handles found on the outer edges of the bounding box that surrounds imported models.

To download 3DVIA Shape 2.1, click here.

Also, be sure to try out our new 3DVIA Starter Set.  With over 100 furniture models to choose from, you can build your dream room in minutes!

To start:

1. Launch 3DVIA Shape.

2. Type “3dviastarterset” in the search box on the lower left panel of the 3DVIA Shape interface.

3. Insert, position, scale, and rotate any item in the search results.

Why do things more than once? Whatever your passion is in 3DVIA Shape 2.0 modeling, you can create template files like gsmith has and save enormous amounts of time. He shows us how valuable it is to create a single model containing a bunch of common elements that we can then select, copy, re-position and re-texture to make a new model. Then we just delete the leftovers and publish it as our own custom model.

It’s like having a 3D catalog of housing choices that we can use to build just what we want. His Colonial House Template file is complete with instructions too!

The yellow highlighted “Secret tip for aligning extensions” is very valuable, so I’ll add some images here to hopefully help make it even easier. Please pardon so much scrolling to see the images, but it’s important to see the difference between one action and another and what it is that you should be looking for.

First, an important note about selecting:

If you just select a face or line, as in the left hand picture above, you won’t be able to move or change anything except what is highlighted with a blue dashed outline. If you select the box inside the blue circle, then you select the whole item, as shown in the right hand picture above. Once you’ve selected the whole object then you can copy and paste it and use the “Secret tip”.

I’ve rotated the model a little, but if you select the whole object, then copy and paste it ( ctrl-c / ctrl-v ) it will look like it does above.

This is the “Secret” – after you paste the selected object ( ctrl-v ) and before you do anything else, PRESS THE SPACE BAR. Now your object has the measles – oh, I mean it’s covered with orange spots that you can now choose as anchor points. The anchor point that I want to use is circled in green.

Now that I’ve left clicked to select an anchor point, as I move the copy closer to the original, the original gets blue spots all over it (some of which are highlighted with green circles). This shows potential points that my selected anchor point can be latched onto. The one that I want to match up with is circled in red.

The yellow dashed line shows that the copy is aligned horizontally with the original using the center of both objects – just like I want it to be.

As I move the copy closer to the original, it will snap into place and indicate with a blue square that the alignment is complete.

* It is important to note that once you have joined one object to another (like we just did), you cannot disconnect it as a unit later. If you are lucky and realize it soon enough, you can use the undo button. You can also delete it face by face if you have to, but it can be time-consuming.

So, now you know the secret and can start making custom houses that are all yours without having to do all of the work from scratch. Thank you gsmith!

NEXT – we explore the “texture as desired” part of his instructions. It’s kind of like a recipe where the instructions say “salt and pepper to taste”. Adding textures can be a lot of fun and make all the difference in how your house tastes – I mean looks!

3DVIA is proud to announce 3DVIA Shape version 2.0! With this latest version of our popular free, 3D modeling tool, it is now easier and faster to create, edit and publish any 3D object or scene in minutes. This is made possible with the newly revamped Remix feature! With Remix you can create 3D content using models pulled from the 3DVIA.com Content Library. With a new interface, faster productivity, ability to use content from our vast 3D community in new and creative ways, upgrade now or install and become a true believer in fast and easy 3D.

Whats new with 3DVIA Shape 2.0?

Modeling:
We’ve cleaned up the interface, streamlined controls and added new functionality, keeping Shape simple to use and at the same time making it a full-feature application.

Remix:
This new feature is amazing! For example, you could create the floor plan of your home, and using the search function, quickly fill it up with a wide variety of furniture in seconds! It’s community 3D modeling at its best! Watch remix at work here!

Publishing:
You can publish and share your work directly on 3DVIA.com, making your work available anywhere! You don’t have to worry about file sizes, formats, options or extensions. We even have the code readily available for you to embed or include our 3D model viewer anywhere you want!

Take the Shape Tour!

How can I start using 3DVIA Shape 2.0?

This is the coolest tool for anyone whether you’re a 3D Artist or a novice looking to put a presentation or model together in 3D.  It’s so simple to use it’s addictive!  Here’s how you can get right down to it and experience it yourself.  You’ll need your 3DVIA.com account info, so keep it handy:

Download and install or upgrade to Shape 2.0
 It’s a mighty program in a small package!  Downloads fast and installs before you can get a drink! Upgrade or install from this link. Download 3DVIA Shape!

Launch 3DVIA Shape 2.0
Here’s where you’ll need your account info. Logging into the program gets you connected to the Content Library and allows you to publish your models immediately to your 3DVIA.com account. You can also save your unfinished session to open at a later time.

Search for Content!
Besides the spiffy new interface, you’ll notice a new search box on the bottom, left corner of the user interface. Search any key word and you’ll immediately get a list of matching results from the Content Library! Add as many models as you want into your scene.

That’s all it takes. Within minutes you can be up and running, compiling content to make your visions a reality!

Download and try it for yourself

Model not showing up in 3DVIA Shape version 2.0 search?  

So you just finished a model or found a really good model that fits into your Shape project but when you search for it, you can’t see it in the search results?  The information in this post will help you get your model into Shape quickly and easily. Check out “Can Your Model Be Used in a 3DVIA Shape Remix? post.

You can also join the 3DVIA Shape Group and ask other users questions.

Next, we need to be sure that we really know what we’re seeing. If you are drawing an object on a piece of paper, you always know where your lines are – on the paper. You’ll never be surprised that one of the lines you just drew is actually on the back side of the paper, or on its edge, or has just plain disappeared. In 3D space there are all kinds of such surprises.

That’s why being able to confidently move around in 3D space is so important. If I draw a simple rectangle, a line from corner to corner, and then a vertical line without changing my viewpoint – I can end up not knowing where it went. The first image below demonstrates this confusing state of affairs. I can change my model color, as I’ve done in the second image, but that takes time. If I simply change my viewpoint, as in the third image, it’s easy to see where the line is and that it went where I wanted it to go.

If I have a more complicated model, it is even more important to be able to zoom around and in and out to check up on what I’m really creating. In the first image, I think that I’m drawing a line across the gray face of the model. Once I move my viewpoint, I see that my line is heading somewhere else entirely. If I had continued to model without checking, I would have been really surprised later.

The value of knowing where you are is even more apparent when you see the whole crazy asteroid that this is part of:

“What?”; you say, “Of course it’s hard to see – where did all the lines go?” That brings up the importance of knowing about the “Environment” button (or just use F4 and be done with it) to be able to see all of the edges to help guide your modeling.

“Enough already! You’ve convinced me. Now, how do I do all of this amazing rotating and zooming and everything?” I’m glad you asked.  Depending on which part of your brain you like to use, we have multiple tools to help you.

For those who love video presentations with avatars; there are video tutorials created using TVnima.com. (The “Navigation” tutorial is, oddly, at the end of the list, rather than at the beginning.)

If you prefer more traditional tutorials, we’ve got a bunch of those too. (The “Viewing in 3D” section is the first item under the “Using 3DVIA Shape Tools” heading.)

And we have a quick synopsis right here from an excellent and more complete blog post on the subject done by Rodd back in November.

By now, I hope you are ready to find your way around your model in 3D space and avoid some of the more likely surprises. Then again, there is always my favorite button on the screen:

Undo!

P.S. If you have specific questions about this blog post or previous ones, you can ask me directly, now that we have Messaging!

Go to Episode 2!

Go to Episode 1!

As in any endeavor, he had to start at the beginning and learn how to exploit the strengths and work around the foibles of Shape. The available online video tutorials are a start and also a good place to return when you’re frustrated/confused or if you just want to know more about a particular tool. The online documentation is another good place to look.

One very valuable source of help for the Shape modeler is that the program itself is eager to help you as you work. Shape is constantly providing you with onscreen choices to help you quickly get your ideas down. Most things that we want to make as humans have square corners and flat or vertical surfaces. We want our walls to stand up straight and our rooms to have flat floors and doors that work. Shape knows this and tries to help.

The most basic thing we can create in Shape is a line. Seems simple enough, right? Well, sort of…because one simple thing can take away the help that Shape is so eager to give.

In the earliest version of Shape, a line was drawn by selecting the line tool and then left-clicking where you wanted the line to start and then holding the button down while you dragged the line to where you wanted it to end. Then you released the button and you had your line. Shape helped you make sure that your line was flat and square to other parts of your model by providing feedback. The line would change color and show angles as you moved the mouse.

Unfortunately, usability studies showed that that is not the way that most people intuitively used their mouse to draw a line. So, it was changed.

The black line was drawn using the old method and looks parallel with the grid and good to build off, but when you draw your next line, you’ll find that you’re off by 1 degree, which will cause no end of problems throughout the rest of your model.

Now, the method is to select the line tool, then left-click at the start of the line AND THEN RELEASE THE MOUSE BUTTON before you drag your line to where you want it to end – then left-click again to finish the line.

As you move your mouse, you will see the clues that Shape provides. The line turns yellow when it is parallel or perpendicular to surfaces and other parts of your model as well as giving angular measurements and showing you which plane you’re drawing on. If you hold the left button down while dragging, you’ll lose all of those helpful clues.

If you use the new method, Shape will help you by showing the line in yellow when it really is parallel with the grid. So, when you put your next line in it will be a true 90 degree angle and you can continue modelling with confidence that everything will be square.

So, remember to click and release to start and end a line and you’ll be square (in a good way, I mean).

Go to Episode 1!

Go to Episode 3!

We are also currently up over 2,400 free 3D models in the public warehouse and thousands more stored in private collections. 

Have you read Juan’s 3D Tutorials yet or seen our latest series by Don covering user m2morgan64 efforts to create a game starting with our own free 3D modeling application 3DVIA Shape?

Without trying, he has exemplified what 3DVIA is all about – trying to help 3D become an enjoyable part of people’s lives – in the way that they want it to be.

He has employed his substantial creativity and imagination to use Shape in ways that few users have. In particular, his use of curves as a central part of his models is very sophisticated.

BBD Class Star Fighter                                         TD Class Star Fighter

 And it’s not just a couple of starships…it’s a whole slew of them!

Now we get to the humble pie part. I tried to recreate just one of his models in order to encourage more curvy modeling in a post – and I couldn’t figure it out. Wah! So, rather than crying in the corner, I flat-out asked him how he did it and he most generously provided over 100 pages of how-to tutorials (with lots of pictures for slow learners like me).

This whole series of blog posts will be based on that mega-doc from m2morgan64, with his permission and consultation as needed. I’ll also be adding in some other basic tips that I find from experience, learn from other users (feel free to send additions, corrections, and improvements) and from re-visiting the available online tutorials. We’ll also follow his game development process as it evolves.

m2morgan64 realizes that his game is quite an endeavor for one person, so he’s hoping others will check out his blog about his plans and contribute models if you want to. There’s a group discussion thread where he outlines what he’s looking for.

So, fasten your zero-gravity belts and stay tuned as we head for piracy in the heavens!

Go to Episode 2!

Go to Episode 3!

How will this speed up and simplify your workflow?  Typically, we have found that users will take their textures into an external application like Photoshop to manually adjust the perspective to fit a surface on their model.  This new feature eliminates this time-consuming step (and you know how long it can take Photoshop to load) and automates part of the effort.  You simply apply the texture to your model, identify the corners that make up the portion of the image that you need and 3DVIA Shape will automatically transform the image to fit correctly!

This is a feature that is best demonstrated visually. Take a look at the following video (very short – just over a minute).

Here’s is a link to the model in the video on 3dvia.com.  Click the “PLAY 3D” button to render view and examine the model in the browser.

Other Key Updates?

In addition to the Advanced Texture Skewing tool, there are many other improvements in 3DVIA Shape including better tutorials, help and better geometry manipulation.  The following video demonstrates one of the abilities of the geometry manipulation set of enhancements. The video shows how to change the anchor point of a piece of geometry while performing a simple cut/paste action.

Interested? Try 3DVIA Shape now…it’s free!

It’s amazing – click on the image to zoom into the improved 3D Las Vegas.

Also featured in the update…an improved Virtual Earth – 3DVIA.  Some of the new enhancements include lighting for contributed models, creation of preview thumbnails when you save a model, and much faster publishing when using high resolution textures.  To try it out while in Live Maps, switch into 3D view, right click where you would like to add a building and choose ‘Add 3D model’.

Other key updates for Live Maps include:

• Export Your Collection to Your Navigation/GPS Device
• The Ability to Add Labels for Birds Eye Imagery
• 1-Click Directions (They call it Party Maps!)
• MapCruncher Integration!…MapCruncher is a tool for registering your raster maps to create map tiles for mashups. You can now add your MapCrunched layers to Collections
• “GeoWeb Exploration”…”one of the largest stores of local content on the web”
• Neighborhood Subscribe via GeoRSS….very cool feature allowing to subscribe to local updates of a given geographic area!
• Tour Enhancements Including Hi-Def Movies
• Directions and Traffic Enhancements
• Improved Display of KML Files Including Google MyMaps Links

There is already some buzz for the update from around the blogosphere including:

• Live Maps hits us with a big release
• New Live Search Maps is Live
• Microsoft Introduces Tool for Avoiding Traffic Jams
• New Live Search Maps is Live
• The New Maps Is Live
• The New Release of Live Maps and Virtual Earth 3D is now Live!

Congratulations to the Live Maps team!

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Just a few detail shots (while Remixing in Shape) give a better idea of how far he went to create the details. Since I was already in Shape, I could use his model to see new possibilities and start modifying his model and learning from that as well. He put a LOT of work into this tractor trailer (articulated lorry)(camion).

The first thing I did was to replace the detailed textures with something that was visually easier to work with. I then selectively deleted bits and pieces, big and small, so that I had just the cab and just the trailer to work with. As I worked I incrementally published the results so that I could always go back and head in a new direction if needed.

Then I took the cab by itself and started playing with that to make a shorter wheelbase cab that I can use with lots of different trailers. (Rguyen already has a new log hauling trailer that he put up today!). Here I’ve removed the sleeper/living quarters section and then shortened the side tanks and reduced the number of lights.

Then the hardest part was ‘box selecting’ the rear axles, tires and other goodies so that I could shorten the whole wheelbase. Not everything moved the way I expected, but with a little fussing I got it to look pretty good.

Then I started to make some changes to simplify and just make it into a 3DVIA cab. Less dressy and more like a fleet vehicle (although the six headlights are pretty odd). Adding some different textures to the grille, stacks and air cleaners made it different very quickly. Shortening the bumper and adding some holes and, of course, dishing the wheels and adding some interesting (although certainly not traditional) wheel textures also helped change the overall look.

From start to finish I had a great time. I started with the best I could find, learned a lot from Rguyen’s modeling techniques and now I have a few different models to start with the next time I want to use the power of Remixing.

Have fun! Make more cool stuff!

mvcomputers has provided us with a great example of thinking ‘Inside the box’.

Some of you may have skipped right over an odd little box all by itself that looks like this in big mix of things:

Not only is it kinda’ boring, it has the title “Battle Cruiser”, which makes one cringe to think of trying to speed across the galaxy in a black, speckled brick.

However, for the curious there is much to be found! A closer look will reveal some instructions…

…and if one dutifully zooms inside the box…

…the reward is huge! How truly excellent – to use the INSIDE of the box to create one’s own finite galaxy. That is SMART. As long as you stay ‘Inside the box’, you can have a blast checking out this cool cruiser.

For the really, really observant folks (which I was not until I went to write this post and was grabbing some images), this cruiser is not singular. As you press in for the attack, you’ll also have to deal with several companion cruisers ready to minutely particulate anything you might be riding in…

There are several hanging around, so do be careful! My mousing is not precise enough to get super close, but the hangers on look like this when increased in size (the use of the term blown up might be confusing in this context).

So, today’s lesson to be learned is: have fun! try crazy things! make everybody wonder how you did that! make everybody wonder WHY you did that!

We have tried very hard to ensure that 3DVIA Shape is a product that is simple enough for the average consumer to express their ideas in 3D.  However, as an experienced Solidworks modeler, I have to remind myself that even the longest journey sometimes starts with a single step.  In this case…it’s creating your first shape (no pun intended).  These simple steps will also show you how easy it is to get started in 3D. 

Creating the Main (or Your First) Shape

First open 3DVIA Shape on your desktop.  In this tutorial, we are going to draw the very simple shape of a house.

Let’s get started by using the application’s navigation features.  To rotate your point of view to look down at the ground, press and hold down the left mouse button over the Rotate area then drag the mouse around in the desired direction.  (For more information, see Change Viewpoints using the Pan, Rotate and Zoom Tool).

Click Rectangle

To draw the bottom face or foundation of the house, click to define the first corner “A” then drag diagonally to the opposite corner “B”. A face is automatically created.Note: If the rectangle is not drawn on the ground, change your point of view to do that.

Click Push 'n Pull

To create the house walls, grab the face and drag upwards in the direction of the arrow.

Click Draw

Draw a break line from midpoint A to midpoint B on the top face. This line will serve to create the roof.

Click Manipulate

Select the break line.Manipulation axes appear to help you.

Select the vertical axis and drag up to create a triangular roof.

 Enjoy! 

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Marc is our resident expert on Microsoft Virtual Earth, online mapping applications and 3D modeling applications.Visit:   mdigregorio Profile on 3DVIA   |   mdigregorio Website

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Technorati Tags: 3D,Free 3D Models,Free 3D Modeler,3DVIA

Under the category of cool things that you can accomplish with our very own Virtual Earth – 3DVIA 3D modeling application and Microsoft Virtual Earth, the above fly through was built for a presentation of the proposed Eos Generali building in the heart of the Paris business district.  We worked closely with several groups to produce the video including our old friends from Earthware (a.k.a. siege103 on 3DVIA.com) who produced many of the buildings that you see in the presentation.

Although you may not have the 3D modeling talent of Chris (Earthware) or Marc (3DVIA), you can produce the same concept on Virtual Earth today.  Everything you see above was produced through applications that are freely available right now.  The buildings were modeled with the Virtual Earth – 3DVIA version of our free Shape 3D modeling application and the “fly through” capability comes standard with Virtual Earth.  Marc has already promised a tutorial on how to produce your own that will be posted here soon.

The video was posted earlier on several sites including the Virtual Earth / Live Maps and Earthware blogs.  I like Michael’s second comment on the VE / Live Map blog…”It almost looks just like 2nd Life! I couldn’t help but notice that. It would be interesting to have a sort of 2nd Life in Virtual Earth. Where it takes place in more realistic setting and realistic people, don’t you? That would be neat.” 

Interesting, don’t you think?

Just last month, Microsoft blogger Steve Lombardi posted a great article on 3D mashups created utilizing the modeling capability of Virtual Earth – 3DVIA combined with Virtual Earth technology.  He detailed how developers can embed Virtual Earth 3D maps into their web applications and use our Virtual Earth – 3DVIA product to import custom building models.  You can see the final result here.

Although I did not get a chance to post an article on his creation then, this week delivered yet another great example of a 3D mashup posted on the IDV Solutions blog titled “3D, or Not 3D: That Is the Question“.  The article is a great step-by-step tutorial on how to build 3D models for Virtual Earth.  However, in addition to the snappy title that I know he must have been dying to use, the article contains a link to the incredible mashup they have created on their own Virtual Earth a based application.  It is a great example of what you can be accomplished with Virtual Earth – 3DVIA and worth checking out.

Fans of 3DVIA.com might remember the IDV Solutions 3D building  model as one of our featured models in January.  Here is the model on 3DVIA.com. (click the PLAY 3D button to view it).

And here is the here is the same building within the IDV 3D Mashup built on what they call their “experiment”.  What do you think?

 3D Model of the Duxford Control Tower

View Model on 3DVIA 

Thank you for the quick turn around on the very cool 3D model.  I put the same assignment out to anyone else – make a 3D model using 3DVIA Shape and drop a comment here.  I’ll post the best versions when you upload them to the site.

While we are on the subject of buildings…you should check out Marc’s new group for House and Building 3D modelers.  After you join the group, you can add your 3D models to the group directly from the model page.

siege103 from Earthware recently posted some interesting 3D models to 3DVIA that were built using Google SketchUp. The best 2 models he uploaded were the Housing Terrace and Shopping Center models.

My assignment for Chris this week…try creating some of your models using 3DVIA Shape?

 Siege103’s 3D Shopping Center

You may remember his great (and honest) review from the Earthware Blog covering the Microsoft Virtual Earth – 3DVIA release and the video he produced on “Creating your first building in Virtual Earth 6“.

To upload your 3D models to our free 3D model hosting service, create a 3DVIA account and enjoy.

Cheers!

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.