View Manipulation

Mouse Keys

To manipulate data in the View Window, hold down the Alt key and:

  • Rotate — Hold down the left-mouse button while moving the mouse.

  • Pan — Hold down the middle-mouse button while moving the mouse..

  • Zoom — Wheel for coarse control, hold down the right-mouse button and move the mouse forwards or backwards for more fine grained control.

Centre of Rotation

When rotating a view, the centre of rotation is at the position of the axes in the View window. You can change the centre of rotation by clicking on the icon in the view window toolbar and then clicking at the desired new location.

Tip Set the centre of rotation near the area of interest in the View window. This will ensure that the objects of interest do not disappear when the view is rotated. If the axes are blocking objects from view, right-click and select Show axes to deselect it. Select it again to redisplay the axes.
TipHold down Shift when manipulating the view to slow the rate of movement.
Tip If the View window is adjusted unintentionally, right-click and select Back to return data to the previous position, and Forward to return (shortcuts B and F).

Set Manipulation Mode

Icon

Description

Shortcut

Z up mode – keeps Z axis vertical, this is the default mode.

Z

Look from mode – fixes the viewpoint. Use to maintain a fixed location in space.

K

Plan view mode – sets the view to look down on the data.

P

Screen mode – rotates views in any orientation.

S