3D View Settings

Use the various 3D view ribbon commands to select a preset 3D view perspective and switch between orthographic and perspective projections.

Use the 3D View Settings command pane to not only select a preset 3D view perspective and switch between orthographic and perspective projections, but also precisely control rotation and vertical exaggeration, and specify sun lighting properties.

The compass triad in the bottom, left corner of the 3D View tab shows the current orientation.

Tip: To reduce clutter in the 3D View, you can hide 2D objects or objects with a zero elevation using the Display Options tab at the bottom of the View Filter Manager.

Prerequisites:

See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.
3D data
Defined coordinate system (for sun lighting)
Surfaces and/or objects with 3D faces (for sun lighting)

To change the point around which the 3D view rotates:

By default, the 3D view rotates around the center of the view, which is usually the center of the bounding volume of the data in your project.

To change the point around which the 3D View rotates, press [Alt] and click a point on an object to set it as the rotation point for the 3D view. To return to the default rotation point (center of the view), press [Alt] and click a blank space in the view.

To specify 3D view settings using ribbon commands:

To select a preset 3D view perspective, click any of the Preset 3D View drop-down commands (Front, Back, Top, Bottom, Left, or Right) located next to the 3D View command in the ribbon.
To toggle between 3D projections, select View > Graphic Views > View 3D Projection Perspective (parallel projected lines appear to converge as they recede in the view) or View 3D Projection Orthographic (parallel projected lines appear to remain parallel as they recede in the view)

To specify 3D view settings using the 3D View Settings command pane:

Select 3D View Settings in Home > View to display the 3D View Settings command pane.


Options
Preset Views	Click the appropriate button to switch to one of nine predefined perspectives.
Rotation	Drag the vertical slider, or type a value in the Vertical angle field, to rotate the view around the X axis. Drag the horizontal slider, or type a value in the Azimuth field, to rotate the view around the Z axis. You can also perform a rotation using these methods: Press [Ctrl] and roll your mouse wheel to rotate the view around the X axis. Press [Shift] and roll your mouse wheel to rotate the view around the Z axis. Press your mouse wheel (or middle mouse button) and move the mouse to rotate around either or both axes. Note: By default, you are restricted to rotating around the Z axis and X axis with the Z axis pointed up. This constraint can be useful in keeping the view manageable. However, if you require the ability to perform a free rotation in which the Z axis can point in any direction (for example, to verify scan registration results), you can toggle off the Z Axis Always Up setting in the following locations: - Point Clouds > View in the TBC ribbon - 3D View Settings dialog - General > Startup and Display in the Options dialog
Vertical Exaggeration	Drag the horizontal slider or type a value in the Factor field to increase the difference between elevations. Specify the minimum and maximum exaggeration values in the Minimum and Maximum fields.
Sun Properties	Control the light source and shadows on surfaces in a 3D view. For instructions, see Set the Lighting in a Model.
Display Mode	Select the Orthographic option to ensure parallel projected lines appear to remain parallel as they recede in the view. Select the Perspective option to ensure parallel projected lines appear to converge as they recede in the view.
Walk-Through	Click this button to display the Walk-Through command pane, which enables you to simulate walking through a 3D view.