Navigating 3D views

Video quiz

In a 3D view, clicking one of the cardinal directions on the compass has what effect?

(Select one)
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Step-by-step:

The 3D tool in the Views tab displays the three-dimensional representation of the Plan View. It shows the locations and dimensions of stormwater controls, junctions, connections, and surface data in three dimensions.

  1. On the ribbon, Views tab, Windows panel, click 3D.
    The InfoDrainage interface, with the Views tab of the ribbon active and the 3D button highlighted. The Plan View has changed to the 3D View, and a drainage model appears in three dimensions.

When active, a compass and controls appear in the lower-right corner of the 3D view. The directional arrow on the compass control shows you which direction the camera is pointing. Clicking one of the cardinal directions (N, E, S or W) moves the camera to that side of the focal point.

  1. Click N to move the camera north of the current focal point, which points the camera south.
    The 3D View, with the model zoomed out and the compass direction highlighted in the corner.
  2. The W, A, S, D, and arrow keys allow you to move the design in each of the four directions.
  3. In the Tree View, expand the 3D View node to adjust the vertical scale.
  4. Right-click the Surface node and select Display Settings.
  5. Click the 3D tab and review the options.
    The InfoDrainage interface, with the 3D View and Vertical Scale nodes highlighted in the Tree View, and the Display Settings dialog box open in front of the 3D view. The 3D tab is active in the Display Settings dialog box, which contains the three-dimensional display tools.

Some objects will display as simple lines, spheres, cylinders, cuboids, or prisms, depending on the object. For example, simple junctions are displayed as a translucent sphere, the size of which is determined by the incoming and outgoing connections.

A visual error known as Z fighting can occur. To avoid this error, when water dimensions are set to a dimension of an object, the program applies a small offset. Because the offset is always applied at the bottom and sides of objects, the volume of the displayed water is not exact. However, the water elevation is kept exact where possible.