Changing the view

The default view is isometric. You can change the view using the options in the View menu or the view tools in the View Manipulation toolbar. You can also specify a view by entering values for rotation angles, viewpoint, zoom factor, or fraction of viewport to pan. Direct view manipulation is also available using the 3D compass.

Context:

To manipulate the view using the 3D compass:

  • Click and drag one of the straight axes of the 3D compass to pan along an axis.

  • Click and drag any of the quarter-circular faces on the 3D compass to pan along a plane.

  • Click and drag one of the three arcs along the perimeter of the 3D compass to rotate the model about the axis that is perpendicular to the plane containing the arc.

  • Click and drag the free rotation handle (the point at the top of the 3D compass) to rotate the model freely about its pivot point.

  • Click the label for any of the axes on the 3D compass to select a predefined view (the selected axis is perpendicular to the plane of the viewport).

  • Double-click anywhere on the 3D compass to specify a view.

Most of the views in this guide are specified directly. This is to allow you to confirm the state of your model by checking against the images in the guide. You are encouraged, however, to practice using the above methods to manipulate your views as you deem fit.

  1. From the main menu bar, select ViewSpecify (or double-click the 3D compass).

    The Specify View dialog box appears.

  2. From the list of available methods, select Viewpoint.

    In the Viewpoint method, you enter three values representing the X-, Y-, and Z-position of an observer. You can also specify an up vector. Abaqus positions your model so that this vector points upward.

  3. Enter the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the viewpoint vector as 1, 1, 3 and the coordinates of the up vector as 0, 1, 0.

  4. Click OK.

    Abaqus/CAE displays your model in the specified view, as shown in Figure 1.

    Figure 1. Deformed model shape viewed from specified viewpoint.