Exporting Part of a 3D View

To export part of a 3D view, use a section box to define the part of the 3D view to export. By applying a section box, you are limiting the amount of the model that is exported. Elements that are completely outside the section box are not included in the export file.

The section box is particularly useful for large models. For example, for an interior rendering of a conference room in an office building, use a section box to export the conference room and omit the rest of the building.

Note: For 3D views, crop region boundaries are not exported, so you cannot use crop regions to limit model geometry. Instead, use section boxes as described here. (You can, however, use crop regions to export part of a 2D view.)

To create a duplicate view

Add a section box

Export the 3D view defined by the section box

1. In the Project Browser, right-click the 3D view to export, and click Duplicate ViewDuplicate.

   The duplicate view displays in the drawing area. In the Project Browser, the duplicate view is named Copy of <View Name>.

2. Rename the duplicate view: in the Project Browser, right-click the duplicate view, and click Rename. Enter a new name, and click OK.

   This is the 3D view that you will export. Saving the view allows you to easily export it again later if you make revisions to the model.

3. On the Properties palette, under Extents, select Section Box, and click Apply.

   The section box displays in the drawing area.

4. Select the section box to see its handles. Drag the handles to change the shape and size of the box.

   It may be easier to control the size, shape, and position of the section box from another view (such as a floor plan), as follows:

   1. With the section box still selected in 3D, open a floor plan view.
   2. Drag the section box handles to change its size and shape.
5. Return to the 3D view and make any further adjustments required.
6. Hide the section box so that it does not appear in the exported file:
   1. Click View tabGraphics panel (Visibility/Graphics).
   2. In the Visibility/Graphics dialog, click the Annotation Categories tab.
   3. Clear the check box for Section Boxes, and click OK.
7. Click Export, and select an export option. See Export.

For more information about section boxes, see Change the Extents of a 3D View.