View Manager

Accessible though the View tab or the graphics area floating toolbar, the View Manager manages how the model is displayed.

In a part file we can create Sections (cross sections or xsecs) and saved views, in an assembly we can also create Explode States

 

Cross Section (xsec)

For a more formal section relative to existing references you may wish to create a datum plane before creating the xsec.  Otherwise you can offset parallel to an existing planar reference or dynamically position the cutting plane with the 3D dragger.

 

Either;

View tab > Section

Offset from an existing planar reference.  Activate the 3D dragger in the dasnboard.

Properties > Name > give an appropriate name if using in engineering drawings

 

Or;

ico.view.manager View Manager >  Sections tab > New > Planar

Give a simple, single letter/number name > enter

In the Section tool choose your predefined plane or a parallel to offset from or dynamically position the cutting plane.  Accept the plane setup and the section will appear in the View Manager list.

 

 

 Layers

Any elements within your project can be organised using Layers, the main advantage being you can hide a group of elements in a single operation.  This may be a group of parts in an assembly or a group of construction features in a model.

The layer status is considered to be temporary, to save the layer status so the model re-opened as you closed it:

  • go to the layer tree (see below)
  • RMB on the Layers icon at the top of the tree
  • Save Status
  • save the file

The lab default part file has some default layers set up

 

Pick the Layers icon above the model to show the layers tree, pick it again to hide the layers tree.

RMB > Hide/Unhide to control visibility of items on a layer.

Simple layers required elements to be manually assigned.  Ruled layers automatically allocate elements – any curves (datum or sketched curves) are automatically placed on the Curves layer.

RMB on the layer name > Layer Properties to manage the layer

In a new file (based on default.prt) access a ruled layer.

Rules tab > Edit Rules to see how a rule is set up