MICROSTATION 3D HANDOUT Basic 3D Concepts This section introduces the basic concepts related to working with 3D designs. Before working in 3D, you should understand the following: • Viewing Designs • Placing Elements in 2D • Drafting Aids • Manipulating and Modifying Elements • Advanced 2D Drafting Techniques Design cube The design cube represents a 3D design file’s total volume. Points in 3D design files are defined with x-, y-, and z-values, or coordinates. 3D design files consist of a design cube in which you work. Points can be placed anywhere within the design cube, and are not restricted to a single plane. Design cube coordinates are expressed in the form (x,y,z). A 3D design file contains 4,294,967,296 positional units (UORs) in the x, y, and z-directions, analogous to the 2D Design plane. The global origin in the 3D seed files provided with MicroStation is located at the exact center of the design cube and assigned the coordinates (0,0,0). Any point in front of the global origin has a positive z-value and any point behind it has a negative z-value Zoom in or out Change

perspective

Set display depth Set active depth

Show display depth

Show active depth

Rotation Dialog Camera settings Render view

View volume The view volume (sometimes called the display volume) is the volume displayed in a 3D view. In most cases, only a part of the Design cube is displayed in a view. Any elements, or parts of elements, not contained in the view volume are not displayed in the view. The view volume is bounded by the window area, and its Display Depth. Display Depth The distance from the front to the back of a 3D view is its Display Depth, which is bounded by clipping planes. • The front clipping plane is the one nearest the viewer. • The back clipping plane is farthest from the viewer. Elements in front of the front clipping plane or behind the back clipping plane are not displayed in the view, even if they are within its viewing area, regardless of how far the view is zoomed out.

Active Depth The Active Depth is the plane, parallel to the screen in a view, on which data points are entered by default. The Active Depth is perpendicular to, and is measured along, the view’s z-axis. This is why it is sometimes referred to as the “active z-depth.” The grid lies on this plane as well. For example, suppose you are designing the interior of a multi-story building. You can complete the details in one floor at a time in the top view by changing the Display Depth and Active Depth for the view after drawing the elements on each successive floor. The Active Depth is set with the Set Active Depth view control. You can also set the Active Depth by completing a view manipulation — for example, Rotate View, Fit View, Change View Perspective, Pan View — for which you snapped for the first data point. A view’s Active Depth is always within its Display Depth. Although Active Depth is a very powerful concept, MicroStation also lets you position points away from the Active Depth. Standard views If a view is rotated to a standard orientation, the orientation is displayed with the view number in the view’s title bar. 2D In 2D, the design plane is parallel to the screen, so you view the design from above. The default (unrotated view) in 2D is a Top view with its orientation such that: • The x-axis is positive from left to right (horizontally). • The y-axis is vertical, and positive from bottom to top (vertically). In a 2D design, you rotate a view about an imaginary z-axis, which is perpendicular to the screen. No matter how you rotate a view in 2D, you still view it from above. Orthogonal views In 3D, since you can rotate views about three axes, rather than just one, there are six orthogonal orientations, each of which corresponds to a standard views: Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, or Back. A Top view displays the design from the top: • the xy plane is parallel to your screen (as in a 2D design). • x is positive from left to right (horizontally). • y is positive from bottom to top (vertically). • z is positive toward you, perpendicular to the screen. A Front view displays the design from the front: • the xz plane is parallel to your screen. • x is positive from left to right (horizontally). • z is positive from bottom to top (vertically). • y is positive away from you, perpendicular to the screen. In a Right view, you view the design cube from the right: • the yz plane is parallel to your screen.

Isometric views There are two other standard views — Isometric and Right Isometric. These views are rotated so that three faces of a cube that are orthogonal to the design cube axes are equally inclined from the screen surface. View coordinates When a view is rotated, the design file’s axes are rotated with it. A view’s axes, on the other hand, are relative to the view (or, if you like, the screen) and the following always applies: • The x-axis is horizontal and positive from left to right. • The y-axis is vertical and positive from bottom to top. • The z-axis is perpendicular to the view (screen), and positive toward you. Only in a Top view are the axes systems for the design cube and the view aligned exactly. Perspective projection Elements in 3D models must be displayed on the screen, which is, of course, planar. • In a view with parallel projection, each element is projected to the screen along a line parallel to the view’s z-axis. Although parallel projected views make drawing easier, they lack realism • In a view with perspective projection, elements at greater depths appear relatively smaller, enhancing realism. A view with perspective projection is sometimes called a camera view. Viewing a 3D Design A 3D view displays part of the Design cube from any point, looking in any direction. • As in 2D, elements to the left, right, above, or below can be excluded from a view by zooming in or windowing so that the elements are outside the view’s area. • 3D views also have depth. You can exclude the display of elements located in front of, or behind, a required object by changing the view’s Display Depth 3D viewing procedures that are similar to 2D Many 3D viewing procedures are similar to their 2D counterparts. See “Using View Controls” on page 2-7 for information about basic viewing procedures. The way to change a view’s area without changing the Display Depth is the same as for 2D. Fitting views in 3D The Fit View view control has some 3D-specific aspects and settings. Tool Setting: Effect: Expand Clipping Planes If on, the view’s Display Depth is adjusted, along with the view origin and magnification, so that all elements on levels that are on for the view are displayed. Center Active Depth If on, centers the Active Depth in the fitted view. (It is recommended that you turn on Center Active Depth when fitting a view you intend to dynamically rotate or a view whose perspective you intend to change.) Rotating views in 3D The Rotate View view control is used in 3D to rotate a view to one of the Standard views as well as to custom orientations. One unique way to use Rotate View in 3D to specify a custom rotation is to dynamically rotate a cube that represents the view volume. To dynamically rotate a view in 3D: Select the Rotate View control. Set Method to Dynamic. A cube representing the view volume is dynamically displayed. Enter a data point to define the view orientation.

To rotate a view in 3D by three points: Select the Rotate View control. Set Method to 3 Points. Enter a data point to select the view to rotate and define the origin of the view x-axis. The origin, as well as a dynamic line indicating the positive direction of the view x-axis, displays in all views where it is possible. Enter a data point to define the positive direction of the view x-axis. A rectangle that indicates the new view boundary displays only in the view that is being rotated. Enter a data point in any view to define the positive direction of the view y-axis and rotate the view. To rotate a view(s) in 3D to a standard orientation: Select the Rotate View control. Set Method to the desired standard orientation — Top, Front Right, Isometric, Bottom, Back, Left, or Right Isometric. Select the view(s). Panning in views in 3D While panning using the Pan View view control, a dynamic cube is displayed between the origin and the pointer (rather than an arrow as in 2D), indicating the distance and direction that the view will be moved. 3D-specific viewing procedures In addition to the familiar 2D viewing procedures, in 3D you can: • Limit the depth of the View volume using the Set Display Depth view control • Change the magnification of the View volume using the Zoom view • Change the perspective angle of a view using the Change View Perspective view control or the Camera Settings view control Display of the view volume in the other views is apparent only when they display the same volume of the design cube as the selected view. Use the ALIGN key-in to ensure that views are displaying similar volumes of the design cube Using saved views in 3D Creating saved views in 3D is identical to 2D. Like 2D saved views, those in 3D design “remember” which levels are on and off, and the area of the design that is displayed. Additionally, the Display Depth is saved with a 3D saved view. When creating saved views in 3D, thought should be given to the Display Depth. Key-in: DIALOG TOOLBOX 3DVIEWING (OFF|ON|TOGGLE) Zoom (3D only) Used to change the magnification of the view volume. In a view with perspective projection, the eye point position is changed relative to a point in the view volume — usually a point on an element. To zoom in or out of a 3D view: Select the Zoom view control. Enter a data point to define an origin to zoom about. This point will become the center point in the view volume and be on the Active Depth. In most cases you will want to snap to an element to define the origin. A cube dynamically displays, representing the view volume to be displayed. Enter a data point to define the extent of the volume to be displayed. The original cube remains displayed, and another cube, which indicates the volume in which the volume defined in steps 2– 3 will be displayed. To zoom in, this cube should be small; to zoom out, it should be big. Enter a data point to define the second cube. If it is large relative to the first, the view volume is moved closer. If it is small relative to the first, the view volume is moved farther away. Key-in: ZOOM

3D Rather than changing the perspective angle as does a camera’s zoom lens, this view control lets you actually move closer to or further away from an element. (A zoom lens is useful with a real camera because it is often inconvenient to actually move closer to or further from the subject; in a computer model this is no problem.) Set Display Depth (3D only) Used to graphically set a view’s Display Depth— the front and back clipping planes (boundaries) of the volume displayed in a view. The position of each clipping plane is measured along the view’s z-axis. Only elements or parts of elements between the front and back clipping planes are displayed To key in a view’s Display Depth: 1. Key in SET DDEPTH ABSOLUTE front, back. or Key in DP= front,back. Front and back are the distances, in working units, along the view z-axis from the Global Origin to the desired front and back clipping planes. Select the view(s). If the Active Depth is not within the range specified by the Display Depth, the Active Depth is automatically changed to the front clipping plane. To key in the distance to move the Display Depth: . Key in SET DDEPTH RELATIVE front,back. or DD= front,back. Front and back are the distances, in working units, to move the front and back clipping planes, respectively. Set Active Depth (3D only) Used to graphically set a view’s Active Depth — the plane, parallel to the screen in a view, on which data points are entered by default. The Active Depth’s value is measured along the view’s z-axis. The Active Depth must be within the view’s Display Depth, which is set with Set Display Depth view control. To set the Active Depth graphically: 1. Make sure at least two views are open. It is helpful to have a view open that is orthogonal to the view in which the Active Depth is being set, as well as an isometric view. Select the Set Active Depth view control. Select the view in which to set the Active Depth. If an isometric view is open, dynamics indicate the selected view’s Display Depth. As you move the pointer in a different view, a shape indicates the depth of the pointer.Enter a data point in a different view at the desired Active Depth for the view selected in step It is often useful to snap to an existing element in the design when you want to place other elements at the same depth. To key in the Active Depth: 1. Key in ACTIVE ZDEPTH ABSOLUTE <depth>. or Key in AZ= <depth>. Depth is the distance in working units along the view z-axis from the Global Origin to the desired Active Depth. Select the view(s). If depth is not within the view’s Display Depth, the Active Depth is automatically changed to the front clipping plane. The change is indicated in the status bar. To key in the distance to move the Active Depth: 1. Key in ACTIVE ZDEPTH RELATIVE <distance>. or Key in DZ= <distance>. Distance is the distance, in working units, to move the Active Depth along the view z-axis. Display Depth (3D only) Used to show a view’s Display Depth setting. To show the Display Depth setting for a view: 1. Select the Show Display Depth view control. Select the view. The view’s Display Depth setting is shown in the status bar.

Go back to step 2 to show the Display Depth for another view. Key-in: SHOW DEPTH DISPLAY or DP=? - A view’s Display Depth is set with the Set Display Depth view control. Show Active Depth (3D only) Used to show a view’s Active Depth setting. To show the Active Depth setting for a view: 1. Select the Show Active Depth view control. Select the view. The view’s Active Depth setting is shown in the status bar. Go back to step 2 to show the Active Depth setting for another view. Key-in: SHOW DEPTH ACTIVE or AZ=? A view’s Active Depth is set with the Set Active Depth view control. Change View Rotation Opens the View Rotation settings box, which can be used, as an alternative to the Rotate View view control in the view control bar, to control view rotation. Changes take effect only if applied with the Apply button. Key-in: DIALOG VIEWROTATION To rotate a view(s) to a specific orientation with a key-in: 1. Key in ROTATE VIEW ABSOLUTE <xx,yy,zz>. xx, yy, and zz are the rotations, in degrees, about the view x-, y-, and z-axes (by default, 0 for each). Select the view(s). To rotate a view(s) counter-clockwise about its center: 1. Key in ROTATE VIEW RELATIVE <xx,yy,zz>. or RV=<xx,yy,zz>. xx, yy, and zz are the relative, counter-clockwise rotations, in degrees, about the view x-, y-, and z-axes. Select the view(s). To rotate a view(s) to align it with a planar element: 1. Key in ROTATE VIEW ELEMENT. Identify the element. This data point also indicates the part of the element with which to align the view’s x-axis. Select the view(s). The view is rotated so that its x-axis is aligned with edge of identified element and its z-axis is perpendicular to identified element. - Whether the view is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise is determined by the direction of the identified element. The origin of the x-axis is always towards the start point of the element. View x-axis is: Linear Aligned with identified line segment. Non-linear Tangent to identified element at the identification point. Drawing in 3D By default, data points in a 3D design are placed at the view’s Active Depth. You can snap a tentative point to an existing element at any depth in a view. However, the new element is moved to the view’s Active Depth. • AccuDraw and its drawing plane, 3D data points and 3D tentative points, and 3D auxiliary coordinate systems, let you place elements away from the Active Depth. Often this improves productivity, since you need not constantly change the Active Depth. • Boresite Lock makes Identifying existing elements easier.

Surface Modeling

Surface by network Surface by edges,Construct B-spline surface,Construct skin surface, Sweep along 2 trace curves Construct Helical surface Offset surface

Trim 2 surfaces, Project trim, Convert, Stitch, Change normal, Modify trim boundary, Change surface attributes, Separate surface, Extend Surface, Reduce poles

Fillet surface, Blend surface, Blending surface between

Evaluate surface, Analyze curvature

3D Main ( Solids )

Place slab, Place Sphere, Place cylinder, Place cone, Place torus, Place wedge

Create extrusion, Revolution, Extrusion along path, Shell, Thicken to solid

Modify Solid, Remove face, Union, Intersection, Difference, Cut, Fillet, Chamfer

Align faces, change display, Extract face, Intersect solid with curve

Placing elements in 3D Placing elements in a 2D design is like manual drafting — all elements appear on the same plane, the sheet of paper. In 3D, you place elements in space — horizontally (for example, a floor), vertically (for example, a wall), or at any other angle or direction (for example, a sloping roof). Many elements rely on the orientation of the view, AccuDraw’s drawing place, or the current auxiliary coordinate system if the auxiliary plane lock is on for exact placement. To place elements such as blocks (rectangles), circles (by center), polygons, cells, and text, you have these choices: • Rotate a view so that the plane of the view (your screen) is parallel to the required orientation. • A more advanced method is Using AccuDraw in 3D or 3D auxiliary coordinate systems . Specifying whether an element encloses volume. The Type tool setting for the tools in the 3D Primitives tool box specifies whether a closed 3D element is either of the following: • Solid — capped on its ends; encloses a volume. • Surface — not capped on its ends; does not enclose volume For example, to draw a tube you can use the Place Cylinder tool with Type set to Surface, while to draw an iron bar you could use the Place Cylinder tool with Type set to Solid. To change an element from a surface to a solid, or vice-versa: 1. In the Modify 3D Surfaces tool box, select the Change to Active Surface Settings tool. From the Type option menu, choose Solid or Surface. Identify the element to modify. Enter a data point to accept the modification. Using AccuDraw in 3D In 3D AccuDraw provides the ability to actually work in a pictorial view rather than the standard, orthogonal views. Solids with hidden lines removed. Surfaces with hidden lines removed. points to its drawing plane regardless of its orientation to the view. The AccuDraw window in 3D In 3D, when using Rectangular coordinates, the AccuDraw window has an additional field for the z-axis. For Polar coordinates in 3D, the AccuDraw window has the same two fields as in 2D. Orienting the drawing plane in 3D Learning to orient AccuDraw’s drawing plane is essential to mastering 3D drawing. For example, it is easy with AccuDraw to place a non-planar complex chain or complex shape in an isometric view in any direction without reverting once to an orthogonal view. By simply rotating the drawing plane axes, you can “strike off” at a right angle to the current segment. Where this is most apparent is during the creation of a true 3D drawing normally

portrayed as an isometric drawing — for example, a plumbing riser diagram. By starting a pipe run along one view axis and shifting it using the <F>, <S> and <T> keyboard shortcuts, you can twist and turn the pipe through 3D space To rotate the drawing plane axes to align with the current view: With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press the <V> key. Key: Effect: <V> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the view axes. <F> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Front view. <S> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Right view. <T> Rotates the drawing plane to align with the axes in a standard Top view. <R>,<Q> Used to quickly and temporarily rotate the drawing plane by a single point. <R>,<A> Used to permanently rotate the drawing plane by three points. Because it rotates the active ACS, this rotation will still be active after the current command terminates. <R>,<X> Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its x-axis. <R>,<Y> Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its y-axis. <R>,<Z> Rotates the drawing plane 90 about its z-axis. To interactively rotate the drawing plane axes: 1. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press <R>,<A>. Enter a data point to locate the x-axis origin. Enter a data point to define the direction of the x-axis. As a result, the direction of the y-axis is implied (perpendicular to the x-axis), and the axes are rotated. To rotate the drawing plane axes to align with the standard Top view: With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press the <T> key. To rotate the drawing plane axes to align with the standard Front view: With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press the <F> key. To rotate the drawing plane axes to align with a standard side (Left or Right) view: u With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press the <S> key. Rotating an axis by 90° When the drawing plane is rotated to orientations other than the standard Top, Front, and side, it is often useful to be able to access planes at 90° rotations. For this purpose, AccuDraw has keyboard shortcuts that rotate the drawing plane 90° along its individual axes. These shortcuts — <R><X>, <R><Y>, and <R><Z> — can be used to spin the drawing plane any number of times until its orientation is exactly as you desire. To rotate the drawing plane axes 90�about an individual axis: With the focus in the AccuDraw window, use one of the following keyboard shortcuts. The new orientation is maintained only until a data point or Reset is entered. However, you can save this coordinate system for subsequent recall Precision input key-ins in 3D Precision input key-ins in 3D work much as in 2D, except that the depth coordinate must also be entered.1 For more information about precision input key-ins, see “Precision Input Key-ins” on page 5-42 and “Precision input key-ins with an ACS” on page 10-38. 1. If you omit the z-coordinate, or any other coordinate, it is the same as keying in 0 for that coordinate. To rotate 90 about: Press: x-axis <R>,<X> y-axis <R>,<Y> z-axis <R>,<Z> 3D data points and 3D tentative points 3D data points and 3D tentative points can be used to position points at a depth within the view volume other than at the Active Depth. To enter a 3D data point or 3D tentative point: 1. In a view, position the pointer at the desired x- and y- coordinates. To enter a 3D data point, press the 3D Data button. or To enter a 3D tentative point, press the 3D Tentative button. A boreline, in the view’s z-direction, is displayed in each view that is not parallel to the view selected in step 1. (If no borelines are displayed, adjust the views so that at least one other view that shows the same part of the design has a different orientation.) Position the pointer on a boreline at the desired depth and again press the 3D Data button or 3D Tentative button.

Using AccuDraw with auxiliary coordinate systems Unless you are using one of the four (Top, right Side, Front, View) standard orientations, AccuDraw “forgets” the drawing plane orientation at the end of the current design session. To overcome this, there is a mechanism to save and retrieve arbitrary drawing plane orientations as rectangular auxiliary coordinate systems. The <R>,<A> keyboard shortcut is used to define an arbitrary drawing plane orientation that can subsequently be saved as a rectangular ACS To save a drawing plane coordinate system: 1. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press <W>,<A>. The Write To ACS dialog box opens. In the Name field, key in a name for the coordinate system. or To save the coordinate system as the active (unnamed) ACS, leave the Name field blank. Click the OK button. To recall a saved drawing plane coordinate system: 1. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press <G>,<A>. The Get ACS dialog box opens. In the Name field, key in the name of the coordinate system to recall. or To retrieve the active (last used) ACS, leave the Name field blank. (This has the same effect as setting Rotation to Auxiliary in the AccuDraw Settings box.) Write to ACS dialog box Get ACS dialog box orientation without moving the drawing plane origin, turn off Origin. or To move the drawing plane origin to the saved location without rotating the drawing plane, turn off Rotation. Click the OK button. The compass updates to show the effect of recalling the saved coordinate system. Other ways of working with auxiliary coordinate systems In addition to the AccuDraw keyboard shortcuts for working with an ACS, MicroStation also has an ACS tool box and settings box. These are the only mechanisms for working with a cylindrical or spherical ACS. Defining an ACS You can define an ACS (without using AccuDraw) in any of the following ways: Making an ACS active MicroStation lets you define and save multiple ACSs. At any time, you can make one ACS active. This lets you work simultaneously with three coordinate systems the active ACS as well as the design file and view coordinate systems. To define an ACS: Use this tool in the ACS tool box: That is aligned with a planar element. Define ACS (Aligned with Element) By entering data points. Define ACS (By Points) That is aligned with a view. Define ACS (Aligned with View) To make a saved ACS the active ACS (without using AccuDraw): 1. From the Utilities menu, choose Auxiliary Coordinates. The Auxiliary Coordinate Systems settings box opens. Select an ACS from the list of saved ACSs. Click the Attach button. The selected ACS becomes the active ACS. To identify an ACS to make it the active ACS: 1. In the ACS tool box, select the Select ACS tool 2. Triads appear, indicating the available saved ACSs. Identify the required ACS at its origin. ACS Plane Lock If on, ACS Plane Lock forces all data points to be on the active ACS’s xy plane. Precision input key-ins with an ACS While an ACS is active, precision input can be specified as one of the following: For precision input as: ACS Type: Key in:

ACS coordinate Rectangular AX=x value, y value, z value Spherical AX=R value, �angle, �angle Cylindrical AX=R value, �angle, Z value Distances, along the ACS axes, from the most recently entered tentative point or data point

Rectangular AD= x value, y value, z value (x, y, and z, axes

Spherical AD=R value, �angle, �angle Cylindrical AD= value, �angle, Z value Manipulating and modifying elements in 3D For the most part, manipulating and modifying elements in 3D is similar to 2D. 3D-specific aspects are discussed here. Element are always performed relative to the view, including operations on selected elements or the fence contents. Graphic groups work as they do in 2D. Selecting elements in 3D Most basic 3D element manipulations, including moving, scaling, rotating, deleting, and copying, can be done with the Element Selection tool, and are similar to 2D. • As in 2D, you can select one or more elements and manipulate them as a single entity. • By dragging one of the handles of a selected element, you can modify it individually. The type of modification allowed depends on the element Identifying existing elements When Boresite Lock is on, elements at any depth can be selected or identified with a data point. Elements identified with a data point remain at their depth in the design, regardless of the Active Depth. When Boresite Lock is off, only elements at or very near the Active Depth can be selected or identified with a data point.you have difficulty selecting an element, check Boresite Lock, as well as Grid Lock and Level Lock. Tentative points and Boresite Lock Tentative points override Boresite Lock. You can snap to elements at any depth in a view, whether or not Boresite Lock is on. Display Depth to a small range to be sure you snap to the element at the desired depth Using the fence in 3D The fence is planar and specific to one view. In 3D, the fence encloses the volume bounded by the area of the fence and the view’s Display Depth; in other words the volume enclosed by moving the fence from the front to the rear of the view volume along the view z-axis. Even if an element is completely within the fence boundaries, if it also intersects the view’s front or back clipping plane, it is considered to cross the fence and is clipped if the Fence (Selection) Mode is set to Clip. This is important to remember, in particular, when Creating 3D cells. Cones, text, and B-splines cannot be clipped. Certain viewing operations, such as rotating and zooming, can cause the fence in a 3D view to disappear.