Work environment

3D modeling takes place in a separate type of drawing, divided into two areas:

• Graphical area, in which you determine how the design will fold.
• Tabular area, which is where you design the 3D model's folding sequence. The tabular area consists of three zones that describe, respectively, the folding sequence (topmost), a list of the available panels with the actions assigned to each one (middle), and a list of the inserted parts, if available, and the actions assigned to them (bottom). NOTE: In the tree zones, each step's folding time is displayed (in seconds), as well as the dimensions of the model as they are when the phase is fully folded.

NOTE: If you have no license for the Drafting module, the 3D Presenter toolbar will contain additional buttons for the Inserting Images mode.

3D design user interface

The 3D toolbar

New 3D Presenter Drawing Creates a 3D drawing.

Export 3D Drawing Opens a dialog box in which you can set the options for exporting a 3D file.

Create Layout From 3D Opens a dialog box in which you choose which and how many parts from a multiple-part project will be arrayed in a layout to be cut.

Set Base Panel When you click the button, the base panel takes central position in the graphical area.

Generate Production Phase Opens a wizard in which you arrange a production phase.

3D Measure Lines Starts the mode for adding measurement lines for selected distances in the 3D model.

3D Overall Dimensions Adds measurement lines for the three basic dimensions of a folded 3D model.

Intersect Turns on the mode for intersecting external 3D objects.

Zoom Starts the zooming mode for the graphical area.

Fit Makes the design in the graphical area fit the current size of the area.

Pan Starts the mode in which you can move the design horizontally across the graphical area.

Turn Starts the turn mode, in which you can rotate the design.

Single Axis Rotation Starts the mode in which you can rotate the 3D model along a single axis, the direction being defined by how you move the mouse.

Solid Displays the panels of the 3D model  as nontransparent.

Transparent Displays the panels of the 3D model as transparent.

Wireframe Displays the edges of the 3D model hiding the panels.

Show Images Displays any images applied onto panels.

Phase navigation Navigation buttons for playing back a folding sequence. That includes: playing back the folding sequence, folding a selected phase, folding the selected step, pausing, unfolding a step, unfolding a phase, reverse-playing the folding sequence.

3D Objects Opens a dialog box in which you can select an external object to insert into the 3D model.

 

Drawing types

Indicates a drawing whose 3D part contains other 3D parts but is itself not part of other 3D parts. Alternative names are "Assembly 3D drawing" and "Master 3D drawing". A project may have multiple Assembly 3D drawings.

Indicates a drawing whose 3D part is used in other 3D parts. A 3D part may contain other 3D parts.