Interacting with 3D models

Change the appearance of the 3D model

On the 3D toolbar, there are four 3D tools that can be used to determine how the 3D object appears: Use Orthographic (perspective) projection, Render Mode, Extra Lights, and Background Color.

The default render mode is solid, but you can select a desired render mode from the list. You can also change the lighting effect and the background color of the 3D object using Extra Lights and Background Color.

Using 3D tools to change the appearance of the 3D model:
A. Default appearance   B. Changing the render mode from Solid to Transparent WireFrame   
C. Changing the lighting effect from Lights From File to Primary Color Lights   D. Changing background color

The 3D toolbar offers the following tools for you to adjust the appearance of the 3D model:

• Use Orthographic (Perspective) Projection: It makes the 3D model less realistic by removing a dimension. You can click it again to restore Perspective projection.

• Render Mode: It lets you change the render mode of the 3D model. Choose a desired render mode from the menu.

• Extra Lights: You can choose to turn lighting on or off or change lighting effects. Choose a desired lighting effect from the menu.

• Background Color: It lets you change the background color of the 3D canvas. Click the button and select a predefined color or define a custom color.

Examples of the render modes

Types of render modes:
A. Solid   B. Solid Wireframe   C. Transparent   D. Transparent Wireframe   E. BoundingBox   F. Transparent BoundingBox
G. Transparent BoundingBox Outline   H. Wireframe   I. Shaded Wireframe   J. Hidden Wireframe   K. Vertices   L. Shaded Vertices

Model tree overview

The Model Tree panel displays the structure and the properties of the 3D model. The Model Tree is not available unless the 3D model is activated. You can open the Model Tree panel by clicking Model Tree   on the 3D Toolbar or clicking the Model Tree icon  on the Sidebar Navigation pane. You can also right-click on the 3D model with the Hand tool and select Show Model Tree.

The Model Tree panel consists of two panes: Structure pane that shows the tree structure of the 3D object and the Object Data pane that displays information like properties and values.

The Model Tree panel consists of two panes: A. Structure pane B. Object Data pane

• Structure pane: This pane shows the tree structure of the 3D model. Each branch of the tree structure represents each group of the 3D object. In this pane, you can move through the groups and hide, isolate, or make certain parts of the 3D model transparent. 

• Object Data pane: This pane displays properties and metadata of the 3D model. You are not allowed to edit any information listed in this pane.

Use Model Tree to hide, isolate, and change the appearance of parts

The Model Tree structure represents the individual parts that form the 3D object. You can use the structure to hide, isolate, zoom in, make certain parts of the 3D object transparent, and more.

The 3D object in its original look (A). Some parts of it are hidden (B) as shown in the Model Tree panel (C).

1. Once the 3D model is activated, do any of the following to open the Model Tree panel:

• • Click the Model Tree icon on the 3D Toolbar.

  • Right-click inside the 3D model and select Show Model Tree from the menu.

  • On the Sidebar Navigation pane, click the Model Tree icon .

2. To manipulate certain parts of the 3D model, right-click the part and choose any of the following actions as needed. You can also access the actions from the 3D Model Tree Options  menu:

   • Options appear by right-clicking:

     • Show All Parts: It displays the entire 3D model.

     • Export: Export the “whole tree” or “current node” as an .XML file.

     • Hide: It displays the model without showing the parts you select. You can select and deselect the checkboxes in the Structure pane to show or hide certain parts.

     • Isolate: It shows only the selected part and hides all others.

     • Zoom To Part: It changes the center focus from the entire 3D model to the selected parts. This setting is useful especially for rotating a part, allowing the rotation to occur around the center focus of the part rather than around the entire model.

     • Transparent: It makes the selected part transparent.

   • 3D Model Tree Options :

     • Show All Parts: It displays the entire 3D model.

     • Hide (show) Bounding Box: When you click a part in the 3D model, the bounding box appears, enclosing the 3D object or selected parts of the model. Select this option to display the bounding box or hide it.

     • Color Settings: It changes the color of the bounding boxes and the highlight color of the selected part in the 3D model. 

     • Render Mode: Determine the surface appearance of the 3D model.

     • Lights: Change the lighting of the 3D model.

     • Export Whole Tree: Export the entire 3D model as an .XML file.