Datasheet

CHAPTER 1 GETTING TO KNOW VIZ

You’ve just created your first object in VIZ, and in the process, you’ve seen how the dimensions

of an object are reflected in the Parameters rollout. Once you’ve created an object, you can continue

to modify its parameters, as the following exercise demonstrates.

1. In the Parameters rollout, locate the Width input box and click the up arrow to the right

of the box several times. Arrows like this one are called spinners, and they allow you

to graphically adjust the value of the input box they are associated with. Notice that

the box in the Perspective viewport begins to widen as the value in the Width input

box increases.

2. Click and hold down the left mouse button while pointing to the up arrow of the Width spinner.

Notice that the box continues to grow in width as you hold down the mouse button. When you

hold the mouse button down and move the mouse forward or backward, the rate of change on

the values is accelerated.

3. Right-click the spinner arrow. The box shrinks in width to 0. Right-clicking any spinner

changes the spinner value to its lowest possible non-negative value, which is 0 in this case.

4. Click and drag the mouse up from the Width spinner. The box grows in width. Click and

drag down, and the width shrinks back down.

5. Click and drag the Width spinner up until the cursor reaches the top of the screen. Then con-

tinue moving the mouse up. Notice that the cursor reappears at the bottom of the screen.

This circular action of the spinner lets you scroll continuously without being limited by the

screen area.

You’ve just seen how you can change the parameters of an object by using the spinner. Now let’s

take a look at the absolute way of entering values into input boxes.

1. Double-click the Length input box in the Parameters rollout and type 60↵. Notice how the box’s

length changes and the Length value changes to 5´0.0˝, the feet and inches equivalent of 60˝.

Notice that it’s not necessary to enter the inch (˝) symbol to indicate a measurement in

inches. You are, however, required to enter the foot (´) symbol when entering a measure-

ment in feet. This is due to your selecting the Inches option as the default units in the Units

Setup dialog box earlier in the chapter.

Undoing Spinner Changes

While adjusting a spinner, you can immediately undo any changes you make by right-clicking the

mouse while still holding the left mouse button. This allows you to quickly experiment with spinner set-

tings while you work.

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