3D viewing without perspective

[wile e coyote genius]

To make obtaining measurements easier in the 3D view it would be better if the building could be viewed without perspective. As an example, I have been trying to get accurate measurements of a single object truss (chords and web are a single item). It is next to impossible to rotate the building in 3D so that the user can look at the object directly face on and moving in or out or side to side doesn't cause the object to rotate. The result is that when making measurements in 3D the user has to pay attention to the orientation of the  "plane" indicator of the cursor. Getting the cursor to be at the right location can be difficult when try to measure to a corner which does not have a snap and the pane keeps flip-flopping around the corner. If there was a non-perspective view that would allow the user to view an object face on then the "plane" icon would not be needed. My MCAD software has this option to view with or without perspective and a "view command" that allows me to select the surface I want to view from directly in front. I find it very helpful when doing MCAD designs and I think it could help in AC.

[Barry Kelly · Accepted solution]

If you don't want a perspective view, you can switch to 'Axonometric'.

I actually prefer this when working on a model.

Also activate your '3D Visualisation' toolbar and you will find a command to 'Look to Perpendicular' which you can use to look square on to any surface you choose.

You can measure in 3D but you can not dimension.

You can create a 3D Document from your 3D view and you can dimension in there, just as you can in sections and elevations..

Barry.

[mthd]

Great Tip Barry. A contender for tip of the month ?

[Barry Kelly]

It's not really a tip.

It is just utilising the features of Archicad.

The problem is there are so many features, you may not be aware of them until you ask.

The Help Reference Guide is just one big book of tips. 😉

Barry.

[mthd]

It certainly helped me.