Week #14 – Navigation and Drafting Power Tips
14-6. Setting and Saving Precise 3D Viewpoints & Views

ArchiCAD Training (Best Practices Lesson 14-6)

This 20 minute lesson shows you a variety of ways in ArchiCAD to set and save precise 3D Viewpoints that you can return to whenever you wish, as well as 3D Views, which are Viewpoints associated with Layer Combinations and other attributes such as marquee selection cropping.

The Camera tool is a powerful and convenient way to set specific viewpoint locations. To place a camera, activate this tool, then click to place a viewer location (where the camera is looking from) and a target (what you are focusing on). Select the camera and bring up the 3D window, and you’ll be looking in perspective from that location.

You may create as many cameras as you wish, and return to their viewpoints easily by either selecting the camera and going to 3D, or double-clicking the camera item in the Project Map. Similar to Markers such as Sections or Elevations, the camera does not record the current model environment, so when you bring up that viewpoint it will appear with whatever layers are currently active, and any marquee cropping in effect.

ArchiCAD’s Navigator Preview window is useful for checking and adjusting the view cone angle as well as moving the camera and target locations on the fly. After adjusting the view in the 3D window, one may save the viewpoint as a new camera or revise the selected camera using commands in the View menu > 3D Navigation Extras menu; this menu also has other useful commands that are explained during this lesson.

While in the 3D Window, you may save a View with defined layer combination and other attributes by using the standard Save Current View… button in the View Map. If a camera is currently selected on the floor plan, then this View will be connected to that camera as it’s “Source”, and will change if that camera is moved or adjusted on plan. If no camera is selected, then the View will be associated with a “Generic Perspective” source, meaning that it will be independent of the cameras placed on the plan.

3D Views may be defined for Axonometric viewpoints as well, and include not only standard View Settings such as Layer Combinations, but also selection, marquee cropping, and sun position. A View may be updated to use revised settings (such as a new sun position) using the “Redefine Image Settings with current” checkbox in the View Settings > 3D Only panel.

3D Views may be placed onto ArchiCAD Layout sheets much like any other View, and will update to show the current model in exactly the same manner. The 3D View may also be set to either show the 3D Window (usually an OpenGL quickly textured image) or a Photorendering (based on the 3D Window, then processed according to the settings saved in the Photorendering Settings when the View was defined).

Please post your comments and questions below.

Eric

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ArchiCAD Training:  Setting and Saving Precise 3D Viewpoints & Views

Let us know how you feel... (6 comments so far)

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  1. Avatar photo
    AndrewPolkinghorne
    12 years ago

    Great lesson, Eric. I have pretty much ignored the presentation benefits offered by the 3D window because I hadn’t worked out how to use cameras properly – but now I can’t wait to have a go at some fly thru’s and renderings and walk-thru’s. I guess a later lesson will concentrate on presentation specifics – sketch rendering etc? Thanks again!

    Andrew


  2. AlbertVan Ee
    12 years ago

    Thanks Eric, once again you make that which seems complicated and present it clearly.


  3. DavidParsons
    12 years ago

    Hi Eric,

    I found this video most enlightening and very easily understood. It is quite an important aspect when trying to put over your intentions to any client.

    Thanks again,

    David Parsons

  4. Avatar photo
    AndrewPolkinghorne
    12 years ago

    You really are crankin’ em out now, Eric, and getting in to the real good stuff too!
    I love it.

    Cheers

    Andrew Polkinghorne

  5. Avatar photo
    MichaelStandley
    12 years ago

    Hi Eric,

    I have subscribed to your course but have been too busy to keep up. Am I correct to assume that I can download the sessions when I have time, without a cut-off date?

    regards

    Michael Standley


    • Eric Bobrow
      12 years ago

      Michael –
      Yes, all registered Best Practices Course members have permanent access to the lessons. There is no cut-off date.
      Eric