User Tips

Quick Hiding Elements
You can reduce the visible geometry in the model window by hiding the selected elements:

1. Activate the model window.
2. Select one or more elements.
3. Press the H key.

You can hide the nearest layer from a wall or a horizontal structure in the following way:

1. Move the cursor on the layer. Do not select the element.
2. Press the H key.

      Model with no hidden elements.           Model with left-side 1st floor wall hidden.

Restore the hidden elements in the following way:

1. Activate the model window.
2. Right-click to open the context-sensitive menu.
3. Select Advanced > Restore All Quick-Hidden Elements.

Clipping of a 3D Model
Define the 3D presentation limits of your model by setting the 3D limits.

Go to: View > Set 3D Limits. A gray box will appear around the model.

Click on a face of the box to select what side move. Move the mouse towards and away from the model to see the effects of the 3D limit box. Left-click to selection a position.

You can then select another face to edit, or esc out of the function.

To delete 3D limits, go to View > Delete 3D Limits. The model will revert back to its default presentation.

Marked Volume Transparency
Control the transparency of objects you select in 3D allowing you to see what is behind that object. Go to: View > OpenGL Settings > change the Marked volume transparency 0-100% value > click ok. The images below show the difference in a selected wall after changing the transparency value from 0% to 84%.

0%	84%

Creating a Dynamic Work Window
When working on floor plans, you can find yourself repeatedly zooming in and out to view different sections of the floor plan. Save time by creating a dynamic work window which allows you to select your zoom points without affecting that windows "zoom extents" view.

• Activate the 2d drawing model pair window.
• Go to: Window > New
• Define a zoom window anywhere. You should now have a secondary 2d work window.
• Drag the frame of the secondary window to change the size to be a very small square or rectangular window, and slide this smaller work window to the lower left corner of your workspace.
• Change the size of the larger work window so that there is no overlapping of the larger and smaller work windows.
• Move your cursor into the smaller work window and perform a Zoom All function.
• Place your cursor in the large work window and initiate the zoom command by right-clicking to open the context-sensitive menu and select Zoom Window.
• Go to the smaller work window and select your zoom points.
• The zoom will occur in the larger window - the window that the cursor was in when the zoom command was initiated. The view in the smaller window does not change.
• When ready to go to the next area of the building, use the smaller window to select the zoom area. Your larger work window will immediately be taken to your desired location without having to zoom out.

Note: Secondary work windows can also be created when working in the 3d drawing model pair window.