topic Re: Newbie 3D question in Installation & update

Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:56:29 GMT

Hi,

I'm an AutoCAD user who's just started to learn ArchiCAD. I'm really stuck on one thing. I can't get anything to show up in the 3D perspective window (parallell projection works fine). All I get is a little cloudlike cursor icon, and I can't do anything. I've been looking through manuals and help files, but with no luck so far. I'm using ArchiCAD 7.

Re: Newbie 3D question

Frank Beister — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 11:39:23 GMT

Choose the 'rebuilt'-function to update the 3d-model.

Have a look if your '3D Navigation window' is visible. There you find some buttons to navigate. If theres nothing to see in central perspective mode, but in parallel projection try to change your view point and camera direction. Best adjusted in the first dialog of your 3D menu.

Be aware, that you have some walls, slabs or roofs in the floor plan. No components, no 3D.

Have a look at the '3D-windows settings' of the 3D menu. The relevant stories have to be enabled.

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 12:26:31 GMT

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I've checked all the things you mentioned, and I've been trying to move the camera, but without any luck. Is there any way to see the camera on the plan?

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:20:59 GMT

myosotis wrote:
Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I've checked all the things you mentioned, and I've been trying to move the camera, but without any luck. Is there any way to see the camera on the plan?

Go to Image/3D Projection Settings.

Re: Newbie 3D question

Djordje — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 16:28:01 GMT

myosotis wrote:
Thank you for your reply. I've checked all the things you mentioned, and I've been trying to move the camera, but without any luck. Is there any way to see the camera on the plan?

Yes, if it is placed.

Did you place the camera? You can view the 3D without a camera placed, too.

If you want a camera that sees what is seen in the 3D window at the moment, do what the attachment says.

HTH,

Re: Newbie 3D question

Eduardo Rolon — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 17:16:30 GMT

The first time I started using AC I had the same problem and it took me a couple of hours to find the solution...

1) place camera in floor plan as you want
2) select camera
3) press ctrl+3 or cmd+3(mac) to go to the 3d window
4) bang head on desk as you realize that it was too easy

Re: Newbie 3D question

Djordje — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 17:42:25 GMT

ejrolon wrote:
4) bang head on desk as you realize that it was too easy

Right click on the camera, select 3D Window from the context menu ... two clicks.

Now that the table is gone, the hole in the floor is getting bigger

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 20:08:56 GMT

Thanks everyone! I'll try this!

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 21:46:48 GMT

My guess is that you are looking away from what you want to see. When you look in the Perspectives Settings dialog box can you see the camera and target or is it looking away from the building? (circled below)

If you can not see the Target holding down the Alt key (WIN) or Option key (MAC) and clicking on what you want to look at sets the Target; holding down the Shift key and clicking where you would like the Camera to be sets the Camera.

BTW, what you see (of your model) in this window is dependent on what you see in your plan view (zoom out to see more)

Woody

Re: Newbie 3D question

Aussie John — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 21:55:16 GMT

another trip point for new players is if 3D cutaway has been selected in menu and you are looking through the cleared part
Aslo check your camera height and view height so you arnt looking over the top of your building

Re: Newbie 3D question

Link — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 22:30:41 GMT

Although from the start this has seemed like our plant friend may be looking away from the building (or above/below it), there could me a huge number of reasons. I heard a story where an ArchiCAD reseller spent 1/2 an hour on the phone with a client who had positioned his camera smack dab in the middle of a wall!

I have spent a similar amount of time on the phone due to an unexpected cutaway, and more recently was fooled (and embarrassed) by the ol' Image>Elements to Show in 3D. Sometimes it's just too easy.

The list could go on.... minuscule marquee, a VR scene is current, transparent walls in OpenGL, etc, etc, etc.

Please tell us what it is when you find out - my money is that you've turned your back on your model, so to speak...

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Jan 2005 11:01:13 GMT

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll try your suggestions out when I get back into the office on Monday, and report back to you. 😉 In my demo version at home everything works fine.

It's great to have the help of a forum like this when having to learn a new app at short notice!

Re: Newbie 3D question

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:01:37 GMT

I added a camera, set it up properly, and then everything worked fine.