D3PLOT 22.1

EDIT WINDOW Changing "Model in Window" Attributes

EDIT WINDOW Changing "Model in Window" attributes

The models active in a window, and some of their attributes, can be changed at any time using the EDIT WINDOW option in the popup linked to the top left [-] button, or from the window menu on the top bar.

This maps the panel to the right, here for window W1.

In this example 2 out of the 3 models are active in this window. Model M2 has been offset in screen space and is drawn wireframe in red.


MODEL turning models on and off

Simply toggle each model on and off. To see more attributes of the model right click to get its title and filename.

Note that if a model is not active in any window then it will be deleted from the database, you are warned and made to confirm this before it happens.


OFFSET... adding an artifical offset to models in windows

Multiple models in a window often overlay one another, and it can be useful to separate them. Right-click on the relevant OFFSET... button to map this panel, then choose offsets in one of:

  • Model Space . Shifts the model in its own space system.
  • Screen Space . Shifts the model in the plane of the screen.

You can visualise the difference between these two by considering how two dancers on a stage would react to rotation by 180 degrees when separated. In model space they would effectively swap sides of the stage; whereas in screen space they would each pirouette about their own toes, staying in the same positions.

After selecting the offset mode the X, Y, and Z offset values can be entered into the text boxes.

The offset values can all be reset to zero using the popup menu.


The offsets can either be entered in model units or they can be entered as a %age of the model dimensons. Toggeling this option on and off will automatically convert any offsets that have been entered between %ages and model units.


MODE changing the display mode of a model in a window

Normally models are displayed in the current mode of the window, whatever that may be, but you can restrict them to:


WIREFRAME

No shading, hidden-surface removal or contouring; edges only.

HIDDEN No shading or contouring, and edges only, but with hidden surface removal enabled
SHADED Shading, but no contouring. Both edges and and lit surfaces displayed
CURRENT Whatever the current display mode is.

The actual display mode used for a model will be min(current mode, mode selected here) . In other words selecting SHADED here will only produce a WIREFRAME plot if the current mode is only WIREFRAME (eg LI )


COLOUR setting a constant colour for a model in a window

Normally a window in a model will be drawn using its normal colours, which are properties of the model itself.

You can override this by setting a constant colour for the model which will be used instead, which can be useful for distinguishing between two similar models that have been overlaid.

To return to normal colouring for the model use the Default button.

The Auto button will automatically assign a colour to each model.

(Note that you can achieve the same effect by changing the colour of elements in the model using the PROPs or COLOUR panels, but this will apply to all windows in which the model appears, whereas this option only affects the display of the model in this window.)