Navigation Functions

Navigation functions are used to change the view of the model items that is presented in the graphics window. All the tools are collected in a toolbar that is by default docked at the right side of the application frame. A tool is selected or invoked by clicking on one of the buttons in the toolbar. When a new tool is selected, the cursor will alter to the symbolic shape of the tool. A selected tool is current until another tool is selected. A move in the graphics window is initiated by selecting one of the move tools and then pressing the left mouse button and moving the mouse in an appropriate direction. The resulting movement is different for each individual tool. But, common for all move tools are that the direction and speed are determined by the distance between the button down position and the current cursor position. The movement is stopped when the mouse button is released.

Independent of the selected tool it is always possible to use the mouse wheel to zoom in-and out in the graphics window.

Select Tool

The select tool is used to select models in the graphics window. A model is selected by a single click on a model or by pressing the left mouse button and then dragging to make a rectangle select. Models can be added to the current selection by holding down the CTRL-key during the selection. Selection feedback is provided by highlighting the selected models.

Auto Scale

The auto scale function scales the models to fit the graphics window. The current tool is not changed by this function.

Zoom Window

The zoom window tool defines a rectangular area of the displayed model to be visible in the graphics window. The zoom is initiated by pressing the right mouse button in the graphics window and then dragging until the requested area is covered by the rectangle. The zoom is preformed when the mouse button is released.

Zoom and Pan

The zoom and pan tool performs dynamic zooming or panning in the graphics window. Press the left mouse button and then move the cursor in the requested direction to either zoom or pan. Move the cursor up or down to zoom and sideways to pan.

Slide

Slide the model in the graphics window. Press and then move the cursor in the direction the model should be moved.

Spin

Spin the model around any axis. Press the mouse button and then move the cursor in different directions in order to rotate around different axis. The rotation centre is defined by the closest point on the model, under the cursor, when the rotation is initiated.

Walk

Tool to walk around in the displayed model. Press the mouse button and then move upwards to move forward in the model and downwards to move backwards. Move the mouse to the left to walk to the left and move the mouse to the right to walk to the right. It's also possible to move the observer to a certain point by pressing the mouse key while holding down the CTRL-key. The observer is moved to the new position and positioned along the positive z-axis. This tool only works together with perspective camera.

Tilt

Tool to tilt the displayed model. Press the left mouse button and move the mouse to the left to rotate the displayed model clockwise or move the mouse to the right to rotate counter clockwise, around the view centre point.

Restore Camera

Restore previously saved camera view. Click on this button and the previously saved camera view is shown.

Save Camera

Click on this button and the current camera view is saved.

Top View

Display the models, looking down. Click this button and the models are automatically scaled to fit the view and displayed by looking down.

Frame View - looking AFT

Display the models, looking AFT. Click this button and the models are fitted to the view and displayed by looking in the backward direction.

Frame View - looking FOR

Display the models, looking FOR. Click this button and the models are fitted to the view and displayed by looking in the forward direction.

Side View - looking port side

Display the models, looking port side. Click this button and the models are fitted to the view and displayed by looking in the port side direction.

Isometric View - looking AFT

Display the models in an isometric view, looking. Click this button and the models are fitted to the view and displayed by an isometric projection. The main viewing direction is along the backward direction.

Isometric View - looking FOR

Display the models in an isometric view, looking FOR. Click this button and the models are fitted to the view and displayed by an isometric projection. The main viewing direction is along the forward direction.

Perspective Camera

Toggles between the perspective and the parallel camera view. Click this button to toggle between the two camera types.

Simple Measuring

Present model coordinates and distances. Click this button to select the measuring tool. And then click on a model in the graphics window and the model coordinate for the indicated point is presented in a dialog. It is also possible to press, drag and release the mouse button to present a distance between two model points.