Datasheet

CHAPTER 1 GETTING TO KNOW VIZ

Getting the View You Want

So far in this chapter, you’ve done all of your work without making any modifications to the point

of view of your model. Now let’s take a look at ways you can control your view. Understanding the

viewport controls is essential for manipulating objects in your model, so take some time to become

familiar with all the tools discussed in this section.

Understanding the Perspective Viewing Tools

If you look at the viewport tools in the lower-right corner of the VIZ window, you’ll see some tools

that are common among most graphics programs. These include the magnifying glass and the

hand. Other tools in this area may be a bit more mysterious. In this section, you’ll learn how these

tools let you get around in your model.

Panning and Zooming Your View

Let’s start by looking at the tool with the hand icon, known as the Pan tool. Like similar tools in other

programs, the Pan tool displaces your view up or down, or to the left or right. But in VIZ’s Perspective

viewport, you’re also changing your point of view. Do the following to see what this means.

1. Click the Pan tool.

2. Click and drag the viewport to the left and up until the boxes are roughly centered in

the viewport.

3. Click and drag the viewport in a circular fashion. Notice that your view of the model appears

to change as if you were moving sideways while looking at the boxes.

Next, try the Zoom tool.

1. Click the Zoom tool.

2. Click and drag the Zoom tool up from the center of the viewport. Notice how you appear to

get closer to the boxes.

3. Click and drag the cursor down in the viewport. Now you appear to be moving away from

the boxes.

4. Continue to click and drag down until your view looks similar to the one shown in Figure 1.26.

You may have also noticed that, as you moved farther away, the grid became denser. Then, at

a certain point, the grid changed to a wider interval. VIZ does this so that the grid doesn’t over-

whelm the view when it becomes too dense.

Again, as with other graphics programs, the Zoom tool enlarges or reduces your view. In addi-

tion to the Zoom tool, the wheel of the mouse can be used to zoom in and out within a viewport.

In VIZ’s Perspective viewport, zooming has the effect of moving you closer to or farther away from

the objects in your model.

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