Controlling the view of a model

A window can contain:

• a single view of the model.
• two views of the model with the model window split vertically.
• four views of the model with the model window split vertically and horizontally.

Each view can be from any direction, at any scale, and can be parallel, isometric or perspective projections. Surfaces can be shown as wireframe or shaded and objects can be blanked from specific views to reduce clutter.

To change the view and appearance of a model:

• Use the middle mouse button with modifier keys to dynamically alter the view by rotating, zooming and panning.

  Quick Rotation allows rotation of the selected object when you hold down the R on the keyboard and scroll the mouse-wheel. The object is rotated about its principal axis by 1 degree for each notch on the mouse-wheel.

• Use the View tab > Views panel or the Views toolbar to change the view of the model in the active window.
• Select View tab > Views panel and click the arrow icon in the bottom, right-hand corner to display the View Edit dialog, which allows you to set up customized view arrangements.
• Use the ViewCube to control the orientation of the model in the active window.
• Use the View tab > Navigate panel to control the size and orientation of the graphics window and its contents.
• Use the View tab > Appearance panel to control the way in which objects are represented in the graphics window.
• Use the View tab > Visibility panel to control the visibility of objects in the graphics window.
• Use the View tab > Cursor panel > Cross Hair to display cross hairs centred on the cursor. Select the option again to hide the cross hairs.
• Use the View tab > Windows panel to arrange and open model windows, and to specify the active window.