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26 Chapter 2: Viewing and Navigating 3D Space

The viewpor t on the r ight looks through the lens of a

spotlight in the scene.

Setting Viewpor t Layout

3ds Max defaults to a two-over-two arrangement

of view ports. Thirteen other layouts are possible,

but the maximum number of viewports on the

screen remains four.

Using the

Layout panel (page 3–899)

of the

Viewport Configuration dialog, you can pick from

the different layouts a nd customize the viewports

in each. Your viewport configuration is saved with

your work.

Resizing the V iewport

After choosing a layout you can resize the

viewports so they ha ve different proportions

by moving the splitter bars that separate the

view ports. This is only available when multiple

viewports are displayed.

Resized viewport

Ch ang ing t he View T ype

As you work, you can quickly change the view in

any viewport. For example, you can switch from

front view to back view. You can use either of two

methods: menu or keyboard shortcut.

• Right-click the label of the viewport you want

to change and click Views. Then, click the view

type that you want.

• Click the viewport you want to change, and

then press one of the keyboard shortcuts in the

following table.

Key

View type

TTopview

B Bottom view

FFrontview

Left view

Camera view. If your scene has only one

camera,oryouselectacamerabeforeusing

this keyboard shortcut, that camera supplies

the view. If your scene has mo re than one

camera, and none are selected, a list of

cameras appears.

Perspective view. Retains viewing angle of

previous view.