Viewing Toolbar

The viewing toolbar provides various tools for you to navigate your file content. The toolbar is on the bottom of the viewer and includes the following tools:

Orbit: (3D only) In orbit mode, the camera moves around the focal point of the model. In this mode, the up direction is always maintained. Click the arrow for orbit or free orbit options.

Pan: Moves the view parallel to the screen.

Fit to View: Position the bounding box center of the current selection at the center of the viewport.

Zoom Window: Click the arrow to see zoom options: Zoom or Zoom Window. With Zoom Window, you can drag a box to zoom a selected area or window on the model.

Place me: (3D Revit files only, version 2017 or later) lets you quickly jump from a sheet to a corresponding location in a model. See the Place Me help topic to learn more.

First Person: (3D only) With the First Person tool, you can navigate through a model as if you are walking through it.

Rotate Page: (2D only) Click to rotate the file 90 degrees counterclockwise.

Section Analysis: (3D only) Click the arrow to view the model in sections along the X, Y, or Z planes. Learn more

Measure: Use the tools to measure distance, angles, area, and more. You can also calibrate using a known measurement, and specify the units and precision settings.

• Distance: Click to create the two endpoints of the desired distance.
• Angle: Click to capture a point along the first ray, then the vertex. Then click along the second ray to measure the angle created by these points.
• Spot Coordinate (3D only. Available in Docs, Build, and Model Coordination only): Click a snapped point in the model to see the coordinates and elevation values.
• Station Offset (Civil 3D drawings only. Available in Docs and Build only): Click any point in the model to find the closest station point (Stn). You can also see the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) offsets from that station to the selected point. Learn more
• Area (2D only): Click each point of the desired shape. To close the shape, double-click the last point or click the first point.
• Arc (2D only)
• Calibrate (2D only): Set the scale or select two points to calibrate.

View Drawing in 3D: (2D only) Click to view the aligned drawing in 3D. This option is available for 2D files that have a 3D model aligned to them. See Align 2D Drawing to 3D Model to learn how to align drawings to models.

Settings: Use the tabs on the Settings dialog to customize the viewer. You can edit the performance and display settings, navigational tools, and visual quality. You can also change the image environment and lighting. A description of each setting is displayed on the panel. Learn more

Some of the most useful settings are on the Configuration tab:

• Progressive display: This setting increases object dropout in order to offer smoother navigation. This is effective when used in combination with the Target Frame Rate and Large model experience options, to balance performance and model loading with potential flickering or drop out as you navigate.

• Large model experience (BETA): Provides an improved viewing experience when working with large models. See the Large Model Experience BETA and High Performance Graphics sections of the FAQ for more information.

  Tip: After turning on this option, you need to refresh your browser and reload your models or views for it to take effect.

• Ghost hidden objects: Leave hidden objects slightly visible. Applies to objects that are hidden using the model tree visibility controls and those that are hidden when reviewing clashes. Doesn’t apply to objects that are filtered out using the Model Browser.

• Display Units: Specify whether the display units are taken from the model settings, or choose a preferred display unit. The Transform feature uses the units specififed here.

• Selection mode: (Configuration tab, Selection section): Determines what level of object in the model tree will be selected when clicking objects in the viewer.

  • First Object: Selects the highest level of object, for example, a whole model.
  • Last Object: Selects the lowest level of object. For composite objects: selects the composite object rather than the leaf objects within it. For example, when a Curtain wall is modeled as a composite object, clicking any part of the curtain wall will select the entire curtain wall.
  • Leaf object: Selects the lowest level of object. For composite objects, selects the individual leaf objects within the composite. For example, when a Curtain wall is modeled as a composite object, clicking part of the curtain wall will select the individual panel / mullion.

Full Screen: View the model in full screen mode.