Difference between revisions of "3D View Window"
From Protocase Designer Documentation
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: '''A—Standard Toolbar''' | : '''A—Standard Toolbar''' | ||
:'''B—Viewport''' | :'''B—Viewport''' | ||
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=Creating, opening, saving assembly files= | =Creating, opening, saving assembly files= | ||
Enclosures created in Protocase Designer® are saved as Protocase Designer® Assembly files (.pda file extension). | Enclosures created in Protocase Designer® are saved as Protocase Designer® Assembly files (.pda file extension). | ||
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==Create new assembly file== | ==Create new assembly file== | ||
{{Procedure| | {{Procedure| | ||
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#Click OK to view a 3D model which you can manipulate in the main window.<br><br>[[File:window-main-ushape.png|600px|thumb|centre|New U-Shape Enclosure]] | #Click OK to view a 3D model which you can manipulate in the main window.<br><br>[[File:window-main-ushape.png|600px|thumb|centre|New U-Shape Enclosure]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Open existing assembly file== | ==Open existing assembly file== | ||
{{Procedure| | {{Procedure| | ||
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#Select a previously saved Protocase Designer® Assembly File to open. | #Select a previously saved Protocase Designer® Assembly File to open. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Save current assembly file== | ==Save current assembly file== | ||
{{Procedure| | {{Procedure| | ||
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#If this is the first time the assembly is being saved, the Save dialog box will open. Select a location to save the assembly file and type a name for the assembly, then click '''Save'''. | #If this is the first time the assembly is being saved, the Save dialog box will open. Select a location to save the assembly file and type a name for the assembly, then click '''Save'''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Save a copy of the current assembly file== | ==Save a copy of the current assembly file== | ||
{{Procedure| | {{Procedure| | ||
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#In the Save dialog box, select a location to save the assembly file and type a new name for the assembly, then click '''Save'''. | #In the Save dialog box, select a location to save the assembly file and type a new name for the assembly, then click '''Save'''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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=Changing enclosure properties= | =Changing enclosure properties= | ||
At any point after you create a new enclosure you can modify your enclosure properties such as size, thickness, material, and colour. | At any point after you create a new enclosure you can modify your enclosure properties such as size, thickness, material, and colour. | ||
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#Change any of the enclosure properties.<br><br>[[File:dialogbox-editproperties.png|500px|center|thumb]] | #Change any of the enclosure properties.<br><br>[[File:dialogbox-editproperties.png|500px|center|thumb]] | ||
}}{{Note|The size of your enclosure must meet all the manufacturing constraints listed at the bottom of the dialog box.}} | }}{{Note|The size of your enclosure must meet all the manufacturing constraints listed at the bottom of the dialog box.}} | ||
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=Viewing the model= | =Viewing the model= | ||
There are several controls to allow viewing and manipulating the 3D model of your enclosure. | There are several controls to allow viewing and manipulating the 3D model of your enclosure. | ||
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==Rotate model== | ==Rotate model== | ||
The Rotate command enables spinning the model about its center. | The Rotate command enables spinning the model about its center. | ||
#On the Standard Toolbar, click '''Rotate'''. | #On the Standard Toolbar, click '''Rotate'''. | ||
#In the viewport, left-click and drag to rotate the model to the desired orientation. | #In the viewport, left-click and drag to rotate the model to the desired orientation. | ||
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==Pan model== | ==Pan model== | ||
The Pan command enables moving the model about the plane of the viewport. | The Pan command enables moving the model about the plane of the viewport. | ||
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#On the Standard Toolbar, click Pan. | #On the Standard Toolbar, click Pan. | ||
#In the viewport, left-click and drag to Pan the model to the desired location. | #In the viewport, left-click and drag to Pan the model to the desired location. | ||
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==Zoom model== | ==Zoom model== | ||
The Zoom command controls the visual size of the model displayed within the viewport. | The Zoom command controls the visual size of the model displayed within the viewport. | ||
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*In the main window, rotate the wheel button forward or backward to zoom in or out. | *In the main window, rotate the wheel button forward or backward to zoom in or out. | ||
Note: The model zooms in/out from the centre of the viewport, regardless of the pointer location | Note: The model zooms in/out from the centre of the viewport, regardless of the pointer location | ||
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==Show/Hide Parts== | ==Show/Hide Parts== | ||
The Show/Hide Parts command allows for viewing inside the model by hiding one or more parts. | The Show/Hide Parts command allows for viewing inside the model by hiding one or more parts. | ||
#On the '''View''' menu, click '''Show/Hide Parts'''. The Show/Hide Parts dialog box appears. | #On the '''View''' menu, click '''Show/Hide Parts'''. The Show/Hide Parts dialog box appears. | ||
#Select or clear the appropriate check boxes to show or hide parts. | #Select or clear the appropriate check boxes to show or hide parts. | ||
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==Toggle flat/bent view== | ==Toggle flat/bent view== | ||
*The Toggle Flat and Bent commands displays the enclosure parts as they are laid out prior to the bending process during manufacturing. | *The Toggle Flat and Bent commands displays the enclosure parts as they are laid out prior to the bending process during manufacturing. | ||
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* On the Standard Toolbar, click Flat to display the model in a flat configuration or click Bent to display the model in the default bent configuration. | * On the Standard Toolbar, click Flat to display the model in a flat configuration or click Bent to display the model in the default bent configuration. | ||
* On the View Menu, click Toggle Flat to change a model between a bent configuration or a flat configuration. | * On the View Menu, click Toggle Flat to change a model between a bent configuration or a flat configuration. | ||
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==Reset view== | ==Reset view== | ||
*The Reset View command displays the model in the center of the viewport in its original orientation. | *The Reset View command displays the model in the center of the viewport in its original orientation. | ||
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*On the '''Standard Toolbar''', click '''Reset View'''. | *On the '''Standard Toolbar''', click '''Reset View'''. | ||
*On the '''View''' menu, click '''Reset View'''. | *On the '''View''' menu, click '''Reset View'''. | ||
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==Use Transparency== | ==Use Transparency== | ||
The transparency option makes exclusion zones and the background of silkscreen images transparent. This allows you to view features that may be hidden behind exclusion zones or silkscreen images. | The transparency option makes exclusion zones and the background of silkscreen images transparent. This allows you to view features that may be hidden behind exclusion zones or silkscreen images. | ||
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#Select the '''Use Transparency''' check box. | #Select the '''Use Transparency''' check box. | ||
{{Note|Turning on the transparency option does not affect the final product.}} | {{Note|Turning on the transparency option does not affect the final product.}} | ||
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==Change background color== | ==Change background color== | ||
The '''Change background color''' command allows for customizing the background color of the viewport. | The '''Change background color''' command allows for customizing the background color of the viewport. | ||
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#Click '''Change Background Color'''. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the background color of the viewport. | #Click '''Change Background Color'''. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the background color of the viewport. | ||
#Select the Swatches, HSB, RGB | #Select the Swatches, HSB, RGB | ||
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==Change axis color== | ==Change axis color== | ||
The Change Axis Color command allows for customizing the color of the coordinate system axis displayed on the model. | The Change Axis Color command allows for customizing the color of the coordinate system axis displayed on the model. | ||
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#On the '''Edit''' menu, click '''Preferences''' to display the preferences dialog box. | #On the '''Edit''' menu, click '''Preferences''' to display the preferences dialog box. | ||
#Click '''Change Axis Color'''. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the axis colour. | #Click '''Change Axis Color'''. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the axis colour. | ||
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=Editing a face using the Face Editor= | =Editing a face using the Face Editor= | ||
To customize your enclosure, you add features such as cutouts, silkscreen, exclusion zones, and construction lines to a face in the Face Editor Window. | To customize your enclosure, you add features such as cutouts, silkscreen, exclusion zones, and construction lines to a face in the Face Editor Window. | ||
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To open the Face Editor: | To open the Face Editor: | ||
#Rotate the model to show the face you want to edit. | #Rotate the model to show the face you want to edit. | ||
Revision as of 18:35, 11 July 2012
Contents
Main Window overview
The main window displays a 3D model of your enclosure which you can manipulate in real time.
- A—Standard Toolbar
- B—Viewport
Creating, opening, saving assembly files
Enclosures created in Protocase Designer® are saved as Protocase Designer® Assembly files (.pda file extension).
Create new assembly file
Open existing assembly file
Save current assembly file
Save a copy of the current assembly file
Changing enclosure properties
At any point after you create a new enclosure you can modify your enclosure properties such as size, thickness, material, and colour. Template:Procedure
- Note: The size of your enclosure must meet all the manufacturing constraints listed at the bottom of the dialog box.
Viewing the model
There are several controls to allow viewing and manipulating the 3D model of your enclosure.
Rotate model
The Rotate command enables spinning the model about its center.
- On the Standard Toolbar, click Rotate.
- In the viewport, left-click and drag to rotate the model to the desired orientation.
Pan model
The Pan command enables moving the model about the plane of the viewport.
To pan the model, do one of the following:
Method 1
- In the viewport, right-click and drag the model to the desired location.
Method 2
- Press and hold the Alt key
- In the viewport, left-click and drag the model to the desired location.
Method 3
- On the Standard Toolbar, click Pan.
- In the viewport, left-click and drag to Pan the model to the desired location.
Zoom model
The Zoom command controls the visual size of the model displayed within the viewport.
- In the main window, rotate the wheel button forward or backward to zoom in or out.
Note: The model zooms in/out from the centre of the viewport, regardless of the pointer location
Show/Hide Parts
The Show/Hide Parts command allows for viewing inside the model by hiding one or more parts.
- On the View menu, click Show/Hide Parts. The Show/Hide Parts dialog box appears.
- Select or clear the appropriate check boxes to show or hide parts.
Toggle flat/bent view
- The Toggle Flat and Bent commands displays the enclosure parts as they are laid out prior to the bending process during manufacturing.
Note: This feature is for reference only and does not affect the manufacturing of the final enclosure.
To display a model in a flat or bent configuration, do on of the following.
- On the Standard Toolbar, click Flat to display the model in a flat configuration or click Bent to display the model in the default bent configuration.
- On the View Menu, click Toggle Flat to change a model between a bent configuration or a flat configuration.
Reset view
- The Reset View command displays the model in the center of the viewport in its original orientation.
To reset the view, do one of the following.
- On the Standard Toolbar, click Reset View.
- On the View menu, click Reset View.
Use Transparency
The transparency option makes exclusion zones and the background of silkscreen images transparent. This allows you to view features that may be hidden behind exclusion zones or silkscreen images.
- On the Edit menu, click Preferences to display the preferences dialog box.
- Select the Use Transparency check box.
- Note: Turning on the transparency option does not affect the final product.
Change background color
The Change background color command allows for customizing the background color of the viewport.
- On the Edit menu, click Preferences to display the preferences dialog box.
- Click Change Background Color. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the background color of the viewport.
- Select the Swatches, HSB, RGB
Change axis color
The Change Axis Color command allows for customizing the color of the coordinate system axis displayed on the model.
- On the Edit menu, click Preferences to display the preferences dialog box.
- Click Change Axis Color. A dialog box appears allowing you to customize the axis colour.
Editing a face using the Face Editor
To customize your enclosure, you add features such as cutouts, silkscreen, exclusion zones, and construction lines to a face in the Face Editor Window.
To open the Face Editor:
- Rotate the model to show the face you want to edit.
- On the Standard Toolbar, click the Edit Face button.
. The pointer will change to a crosshair. - Click a face to edit. The Face Editor window opens.
See Face Editor Window for details on using the Face Editor.
