Various navigation tools are available to help you navigate around your model and to change it's orientation and position, in order to obtain the best view possible.
This section describes how to manoeuver your model to get the best view for your task at hand. Whether you want to simply rotate it, resize it so it fits in the window better, or centre it in the window, there are tools to help you do this. Once you are comfortable with simple manoeuvring, you can add your own viewpoints or add a cutting plane so that you can see results on the inside of the model.
Autodesk Simulation Moldflow software supports 3Dconnexion 3D motion controllers, including SpacePilot PRO, SpacePilot, Space Explorer, SpaceNavigator, and SpaceNavigator for Notebooks. Devices that were previously supported with the classic UI, are still supported with the classic UI. Before you can use 3D motion controller functionality, you must have a 3D motion controller device connected.
3D motion controllers allow you to control the rotation axes on different parts of the model and the user interface around it. You can position the cursor at any point and use the 3D motion controller functionality to move the model in the X, Y, and Z axes. You can also program (map) your 3D motion controller mouse buttons to any function by using the software that came with your 3D motion controller device.
For additional information, and to ensure that you have the latest drivers for these devices, visit http://www.3dconnexion.com.
You can assign specific functions, such as rotate/zoom/pan, to the middle and right mouse buttons, either when clicked alone, or when clicked in combination with the Shift, Control, or ALT keys.
The Select tool is used to pick individual or multiple entities, either for modeling purposes or to change their properties.
The Orbit tool enables you to change the orientation of a model in a 3-dimensional manner. As you drag the cursor, the model rotates around a pivot point, while the view remains fixed.
The Pan tool enables you to move the model relative to the center of the model pane.
The zoom tools enable you to get a close-up view of the model or particular sections of the model.
You can select the pivot point around which to rotate the model, using the Center tool
The Measure tool toggles measurement mode, enabling you to measure distances on a model.
As you use the navigation tools to reorient the view of a model, the previous view is saved to the navigation history. The navigation history holds a representation of the previous views of the model along with a thumbnail. A separate navigation history is maintained for each window; it is not maintained after the window is closed. Rewind navigation history is view-specific.
With the Walk tool, you can navigate through a model as if you were walking through it. Once you start the Walk tool, the Center Circle icon is displayed near the center of the view, and the cursor changes to display a series of arrows. To walk through the model, drag in the direction in which you want to move.
With the Look tool, you can move the current view vertically and horizontally. When moving the view, your line of sight rotates about the current eye position, like turning your head. The Look tool can be compared to you standing in a fixed location, and looking up or down while turning your head left or right.
Unlike the Pan tool, you use the Up/Down tool to adjust the height of the current viewpoint along the model's Z axis. To adjust the vertical elevation of the current view, you drag up or down. As you drag, the current elevation and the allowed range of motion is displayed on a graphical element called the Vertical Distance indicator.
The View tools are used to return the model to a pre-defined orientation.