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Rotate View in 3D
Tip# 3217 By Mark Wallner On 14-Jun-2009
4
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Orbit
Software type : AutoCAD 2010
Rename File To : No Files to download.
3DORBITCTR lets you pick the center of rotation, then starts 3D Constrained Orbit.

Mark Wallner sent in this tip to show how he handles the difficult task of rotating in a 3D environment. "If you use the 3D Orbit functions, you know how frustrating it can be to try to get a look at a specific object from a different angle -- it always seems like a crapshoot as to whether the model will spin nicely about the center of the screen, or will spin out of the viewport in a flash and disappear into the twilight zone. I just ran across a command I haven't seen in the menus, which solves this problem; 3DORBITCTR lets you pick the center of rotation, then starts 3D Constrained Orbit. You can then switch to 3DFORBIT if you like, using the shortcut menu, without losing your center point. By the way, the Enable Auto Target option for 3DORBIT has to be checked for this to work. (Right-click the screen to bring up the context-sensitive shortcut menu when a 3D rotation command is in action to set this option, if you need to). If you work in 3D, I highly recommend adding an alias for this command, such as 3DC to your acad.pgp file, or writing a short LISP which invokes the 3DORBITCTR command and then switches to 3DFORBIT after you choose your center point. (Post a copy here if you do!) Editor's note: Registered CAD Tips users can use the Comment feature to upload comments and files associated with this or any tip.

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: These are great commands to take advantage of and are very easy to use. AutoCAD 2009 (and 2010) has the View Cube. It is a visual aid to help you rotate your view. Each face of the cube is labeled (top, bottom, left, right, front, and back) and you can rotate your view by clicking the cube, holding it and moving your mouse around as if you are rotating the cube. Your drawing view will be rotated accordingly.

 

Average Rating:
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User comments
Comment by Boyer,Don
Posted on 2009-06-15 15:24:58
You can also use the DDVPOINT command.
Comment by Werning,Aaron
Posted on 2009-06-16 11:10:30
DDVPOINT? Not sure how that applies... Here is a LISP routine... This routine will turn on the "Auto Target" for you. I couldn't find an easy way to "switch" to 3DFORBIT after you have called 3DORBITCTR (I am sure I could have gone into something a little more complicated to make it happen, but I figured this is a good start). You can always use the CNTL key while in constrained orbit to "switch" to free orbit. The quick key used is "3DOF" but I am sure most of you know how to open it up and change it if desired. One last thing, I rem'd a line near the end of the main program that will always set your view back to before you called the command. If you desire this functionality, simply un-rem the line. Enjoy!
Comment by gomez,d
Posted on 2009-06-18 15:56:18
After picking the center with 3dorbitctr you go into Constrained Orbit as you said Mark, but if you hold "shift" down it turns into Free Orbit, letting you go back to Constrained Orbit as soon as you release the "shift" key. You could also press "2" to go to Free Orbit and then "1" if you want to go back to Constrained Orbit