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CHAPTER 1 GettinG to Know 3ds Max desiGn 2010
Getting the View You Want
So far in this chapter, youve done all of your work without making any modifications to
the point of view of your model. Now lets 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 3ds Max window, you’ll see
some tools that are common among most graphics programs. They 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.
Pa n n i n G a n d Zo o m i n G Yo u r Vi e w
Lets begin by looking at the tool with the Hand icon, known as the Pan View tool. Like similar
tools in other programs, the Pan View tool displaces your view up or down, or to the left or
right. But in 3ds Max’s Perspective viewport, youre also changing your point of view. Do the
following to see what this means:
1. Click the Pan View tool.
2. Click and drag the viewport to the left and up until the chairs 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 chairs.
3. Click and drag the cursor down in the viewport. Now you appear to be moving away
from the chairs.
4. Continue to click and drag down until your view looks similar to the one shown in
Figure 1.48.
You may have also noticed that, as you moved further away, the grid became denser. Then, at
a certain point, the grid changed to a wider interval. 3ds Max does this so that the grid doesnt
overwhelm the view when it becomes too dense.
If the grid does not increase in size to fill the viewport, right-click the Snaps Toggle but-
ton in the main toolbar. Click the Home Grid tab in the Grid and Snap Settings dialog box and
uncheck the Inhibit Perspective View Grid Resize option.
Again, as with other graphics programs, the Zoom tool enlarges or reduces your view. In
addition to the Zoom tool, the wheel of the mouse can be used to zoom in and out within a
viewport. In 3ds Max’s Perspective viewport, zooming has the effect of moving you closer to or
further away from the objects in your model.
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