topic Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values? in Modeling

how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Bill — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:49:47 GMT

In v14, when trying to input a precise value for a cut plane (e.g. EXACTLY 6'-3" A.F.F.) you could 1) hover the cursor above one of the top two windows in the 3D Cutting Planes dialog box, 2) press 'Z' and 3) input the correct elevation.

in v15, this doesn't work... so how do I do it?

Thanks!

Bill

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Karl Ottenstein — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:23:30 GMT

Bill wrote:
in v15, this doesn't work... so how do I do it?

Can you not enter values in the x/y/z boxes at the bottom right of the dialog, or am I not understanding what you're trying to do? You press the letter button (x/y/z) to lock the entered value(s). Or, as with the (somewhat deprecated) coordinates palette, press alt-x, alt-y, or alt-z to lock.

Cheers,
Karl

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Bill — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:41:24 GMT

Nope, if I type in 'Z' I used to then be able to type in a new z-value. Now, however, the cursor goes to the z-value for a split second but doesn't stay there. If I am able to get it to stay in the z-value input area and actually type in a new value and press return (or type 'x' or 'y' or anything) it loses the value I inputted.

I've tried lots of different sequences but nothing seems to work. It's frustrating because for certain renderings I need the cut plane to be at a specific elevation.

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:47:59 GMT

Bill wrote:
Nope, if I type in 'Z' I used to then be able to .....

Actually press the 'Z' button next to the value box - not the Z on your keyboard.

The process -
- Press 'Z' button,
- type in the height into the value box,
- move cursor to one of the side views and click once, you will find cursor is restrained to that height,
- click to one side of first click to confirm a horizontal cut,
- click above or below to select side to be hidden.

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:07:30 GMT

Bill wrote:
Nope, if I type in 'Z' I used to then be able to type in a new z-value.

It's working for me. Could it be a WE setting?

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

David Maudlin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:32:12 GMT

Matthew wrote:
Bill wrote:
Nope, if I type in 'Z' I used to then be able to type in a new z-value.
It's working for me. Could it be a WE setting?

WE > User Preference Schemes > Dialog Boxes and Palettes > Dialog Box Auto-Update Delay, but that would affect all dialog box input. Works as expected here also.

David

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Bill — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:16:28 GMT

Peter Clark's suggestion of clicking on the 'z' instead of typing it in works!

Thanks!

Bill

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

David Maudlin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:37:40 GMT

Bill:

You might want to check that the "z" key is used for accessing the "z" value in your Work Environment > Shortcut Schemes > Keyboard Shortcuts > Application Commands (List: All Command by Theme) > 13 Numeric Input > Z Coordinate.

David

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Bill — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:21:32 GMT

David, I checked there and Z (global) and Shift+Z (global) are both assigned to Z coordinate... so I assume that's what it's supposed to be?

Bill

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

David Maudlin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:08:32 GMT

Bill:

Those are correct, so should work. Does the "z" key work for the Coordinates palette and/or Tracker?

David

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Bill — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:07:32 GMT

Here's a dumb question... in what view would i need to be in to access the z value? Not in 2d views (it's greyed out, obviously, and when I am in 3d it goes away, as well... when i move something vertically I only have the option of accessing the 'r' value.

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 23:00:53 GMT

Bill wrote:
Here's a dumb question... in what view would i need to be in to access the z value? Not in 2d views (it's greyed out, obviously, and when I am in 3d it goes away, as well... when i move something vertically I only have the option of accessing the 'r' value.

Where is the Z value greyed out? It is active in my coordinates palette in both 2D and 3D. It doesn't seem to work properly in AC15 with the MEP add-on anymore, but that's another matter.

Re: how do i precisely input 3d cut plane values?

David Maudlin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:03:21 GMT

Bill wrote:
in what view would i need to be in to access the z value?

One option is to view a Mesh in the 3D Window, select the Mesh, pick one of the Mesh points and Elevate Mesh Point from the Pet Palette (Upper rightmost option). The "Z" value in the Coordinates palette (or Tracker) can be used to set the height of the point. (There is an option in the Work Environment for showing the Z value in the Tracker.)

David