Illustration – user interface


The user interface of interactive illustration contains two workspaces: 3D window and 2D window. Each workspace has its own control elements described below. All colors used for the user interface in this document are the default colors.

The illustration can be in the following representations:

3D/2D window

The 3D window displays 3D image of the current sheet. You can navigate in the 3D window using the mouse or keyboard. A locator (axis tripod) at the top right corner of the 3D window allows determining the orientation of the 3D model relative to the axes.

The 2D window displays vector and raster images associated with the current sheet.

User interface Button Purpose
Sheet   Allows you to choose the detail sheet from a list of available sheets.
Reset Restores the original view on the current sheet.
2D graphics Allows you to switch between 2D window and 3D window. The button is available only in the 2D and 3D viewing mode.
Print graphics Allows you to print the current 3D/2D image as displayed in the 3D/2D window.
Ignore transparency (for 3D window) If enabled, allows you to click through the transparent items in the 3D window, as the transparent items become insensitive to the user's click.
Restore all (for 3D window) Shows all hidden and semitransparent objects.
Skip animation (for 3D window) If enabled, allows you to avoid a smooth transition (animation) from one sheet to another and makes the transition between the sheets instant.
Settings

Shows or hides the Settings list.

Transition animation rate. Adjusts a playback speed for explosion transition.

Enable transition animation control. If selected, activates the slider that allows you to manually review transitions between sheets. To display the slider, move the mouse pointer over the bottom of the 3D window or tap it if you have a touch screen.

Show navigation cube. Shows or hides the Navigation Cube in the 3D window. The Navigation Cube has three different types of hotspot areas: Edge, Corner, and Face. When you position the pointer over the edge, corner, or face of the Navigation Cube, the corresponding area is highlighted. With these areas you can switch between standard views and make rotations.

Show surface edges. If selected, displays surface boundaries in the 3D window.

Anti-aliasing. Activates a technique for minimizing the distortion artifacts in the 3D window.

Ambient occlusion. Activates ambient occlusion shading and rendering technique in the 3D window.

Selection mode. Specifies objects representation for selection in the 3D window.

Highlight with color – the selection is highlighted.

X-ray selected objects – objects appear gray and translucent, except for the selection.

Translucent shell – the outer shell of the entire model appears translucent, non-selected internal objects are hidden.

Outline hovered objects. The selection is outlined.

Help Provides a help system for the user interface.
Highlighting   When you select or point to an item in the 3D window or a callout in the 2D window, it is highlighted. The color scheme can be changed by the illustration author. The following color scheme is applied by default:

Yellow — for selected item.

Green — for pointed callout.

3D View bar

Buttons for controlling viewing modes in the 3D window.

User interface Button Purpose
Set center Allows you to specify the rotation center for the 3D model.
Show rotation center Allows you to hide or show the rotation center.
Fit all Makes the entire 3D model fully visible in the 3D window.
Align horizon Positions the camera's horizontal (but not longitudinal) axis parallel to the horizontal plane in the coordinate system.
Show coordinate axes Shows or hides the orientation axes in the 3D window.
Measure Opens the tool to measure a distance. In the 3D window, simply click once on one point, then click again on the second point. The distance between the two red dots should then be displayed. To get the distance between points projected onto the vertical or horizontal plane, select the projection plane name from the list. To change the unit of length, select Units. To set the length of leader lines, drag the H slider. Select Permanent to make the dimension line visible after you close the measurement tool. To set new points, click Clear or press the Esc key, and then specify points in the 3D window.

WARNING

Do not use measurement results directly in the workflow as the 3D illustration may differ from the actual product. To obtain the dimensions necessary for manufacturing or servicing, refer to the relevant technical documentation.

Section Displays the model as if it were cut by a plane. Use controls to set (Right, Top, Front) and rotate (X and Y) the section plane. To move the section plane, drag the D slider. Use Flip to mirror the section. Select Permanent to make the section visible after you close the tool. To return to the initial state, click Reset.

There are several viewing modes that allow showing the 3D model from a specified position:

User interface Button Purpose
Front Shows the model from the front.
Back Shows the model from the back.
Left Shows the model from the left side.
Right Shows the model from the right side.
Top Shows the model from the top.
Bottom Shows the model from the bottom.
Isometric Shows the model in an isometric view.
Selection bar

Allows fitting, showing, hiding and making transparent the items selected in the 3D window.

User interface Purpose
Show selected objects in separate window If enabled, displays the selection in the secondary 3D window.
Ignore transparency If enabled, allows you to click through the transparent items in the 3D window, as the transparent items become insensitive to the user click.
Restore all Shows all hidden and semitransparent objects.
Fit Fits the bounding box of the selected items to the 3D window.
Show Makes visible the selected items previously hidden in the 3D window.
Hide Hides the selected items in the 3D window.
Select none Deselects all items.
Transparency Allows you to set the transparency value for the selected items. The Transparency command is available if one or more items are selected in the 3D window.
Context-sensitive menu in 3D/2D window

Right-click in the window to access the context-sensitive menus.

User interface Meaning
Show all Makes all hidden items visible in the 3D window.
Zoom in Increases the image.
Zoom out Decreases the image.
Best fit Fits the image to the margin bounds.
Help Provides a help system for the user interface.
About Shows the versions of publication, 3D viewer and 2D viewer.
2D window – main procedures

Right-click in the 2D window to access the available context-sensitive commands.

Operation User action
Select an item callout Click the required callout.
Pan Move the mouse while holding down its left button.
Zoom Rotate the mouse wheel forward or backward.
3D window – main procedures
Operation User action
Select an item Click the required item.
Select several items one by one Press and hold down CTRL, and then click each required 3D item.
Zoom in/out Rotate the mouse wheel forward or backward. On Apple computers, use the Control modifier key.
Pan Move the mouse with the mouse wheel pressed. On Apple computers, use the Option modifier key.
Spin Move the mouse while holding down its left button.
Set rotation center On the 3D View bar, click Set center , and then click the required item in the 3D window.

Or holding down the ALT key, click any item in the 3D window.

Fit 3D model On the 3D View bar, click Fit .
Fit selected items Select the required items in the 3D window or DPL table, and then click Fit on the Selection bar.
Show 3D model from specified position On the 3D View bar, click the required button ( Front,  Back,  Left,  Right,  Top,  Bottom, and  Isometric).
Hide/Show a group of items Press and hold down CTRL, click each required 3D item, and then use the Hide and Show buttons on the Selection bar.
Set transparency/opacity Select the required item in the 3D window, and then drag the transparency slider on the Selection bar, until the desired effect is achieved in the 3D window.