The icons on the view tab are grouped into:
1. View setting
2. Cursor plane setting
3. Zoom and Pan commands
4. Window commands.
View Setting
Sheet Lightning offers a limited selection of view settings. These include the 3D plane views (XY, XZ and
YZ planes) and the 3D/Isometric view. The limited number of views cuts down the complexity of 3D design
over that of general CAD design. Only one view is visible in any window at any one time.
Cursor Plane Setting
Cursor plane settings only become relevant when selecting a 3D point
in the current view. There are 3
possible cursor plane settings. Only one of these settings is active at any one time for any given view. The
cursor plane setting defines the 3D plane into which screen mouse cursor movement is interpreted. It can
be set to either the XY plane, the XZ plane or the YZ plane. A new view defaults to the horizontal XY plane
with the static axis (i.e. the Z-axis) value fixed at zero. In the case of both of the other cursor plane
settings (the XZ plane or the YZ plane) the cursor movement occurs in a vertical plane and either the Y or
X axis values (respectively) are static. The cursor plane movement can occur in a plane with the static axis
value set to any chosen value. Whenever 3D point input is required the command dialog
provides an edit
field to alter the current static axis value (see 'Selecting a 3D Point ').
Zoom and Pan Commands
There are several zoom commands available. These commands are similar to that of general 3D CAD
systems.
Zoom Extents
This is probably the most important and most commonly used zoom command. It is used to return to a
view of the whole current design view with a comfortable margin. The F2 key provides a very easy and
useful shortcut. The zoom extents view margins are controlled as a factor of the overall design size via the
'Options' dialog 'View Tab' (accessed directly via the 'View|Zoom Options' command. A 'Zoom Extents
Margin' factor of 1.3 means the view has margins to accommodate a design 1.3 times the size of the
current design. It can of course be altered to preference.
Zoom Window
The zoom window command prompts for the selection of 2 points on the current view and zooms the view
into the window defined by these points. As with all commands watch the command line for an indication
of the current prompt.
Zoom In
Zooms into the center of the view by the current 'Zoom In/Out Factor' specified on the 'Options' dialog
'View Tab'. The CTRL-I key provides a simple shortcut.
Zoom Out
Zooms out of the center of the view by the current 'Zoom In/Out Factor' specified on the 'Options' dialog
'View Tab'. The CTRL-O key provides a simple shortcut.
Zoom Selected Parts
Zooms to display the currently selected objects
in the view with a margin defined by the 'Zoom Extents
Margin' is the 'Options' dialog 'View Tab'.
Pan
The Pan command is provided as an alternative to using either the mouse middle or right button. To use it
select the command then select a point in the CAD view. The view is dragged as the cursor is moved until
another point is selected. The alternative is to use the middle mouse button (or right button depending on
the 'Options' dialog 'General-Tab' 'Mouse Pan Button' option setting). To use the mouse button simply
hover over the CAD view, select the middle/right mouse button and drag the view. Relwase the button to
drop it.
Window Commands
The window commands provide the Windows standard behaviour for MDI applications to arrange child
windows. They include the 'Cascade', 'Tile Horizontally' and Tile Vertically' commands. These command are
useful for quickly locating or overviewing the open windows.
