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Elements 2D - window
The Element 2D window shows graphically the list of all input elements (or elements of the active 3D-layer ) in the specific order of overlapping. Remark: This window has its primary use for 2D- and 3D-layered models only. For pure 3D models it will only show the Z-view onto the model - thus it is advised to use the Elements 23 window to process pure 3D models.
On one hand the window provides an instant graphical view onto the component
under construction. On the other it is used as an interactive input device
together with the mouse as a tool to edit current construction. Graphical sizing
of elements is supported with the snapping grid. From this window
one can select elements for processing, add new elements, change the overlapping
order (promote or relegate) of elements or delete them. Remark: Functions offered in this window are by far comparable to those offered by Element selection (browser) window , because both windows show the same list of elements , but in two different representations - graphical and textual.
The graphical displayThe window displays a 2-dimensional slice through the building component. Elements are drawn in the order of their appearance in the element list . This results possibly (and as desired) in the effect of overlapping of elements being immediately visible on the screen.
Each element is displayed differently depending on its element type and defined colouring:
Selected elements are emphasized with selection markers. When only one element is selected a editing marker is shown instead and can be used to size or move that one element. Remark: Line representation used to show elements with zero extent might be too thin at smaller view scaling and not visible. Such elements are visible only when selected. The display can be adjusted according to users needs as required:
Element selectionOne or more elements in the element list can be selected. Selection can also be performed within the graphic view in this window:
Lasso
The lasso function will be activated when the shift-key (SHIFT) is held depressed together with left mouse button typically followed by dragging the mouse. All elements fully inside of the lasso will be selected when the mouse button is returned to its resting position. When the control key (CTRL) is also held depressed (SHIFT+CTRL+left mouse button) the selection will then be extended with elements matched with lasso. To cancel the lasso selection process (i.e. to keep the last selection active) simply free the SHIFT key while the mouse button is still kept depressed. Moving of multiple elementsHolding down the Ctrl key, the left mouse button and dragging the mouse triggers the movement of multiple elements. Element processingA double click with the mouse over an element will open the processing window designed for elements - the element editor. When the right mouse button is depressed in the graphical window, the context menu of element processing is exposed offering extensive list of element processing functions for choice. Elements can be selected with a single mouse click or with the lasso function . If there is only one element selected its position can be changed by dragging the editing marker with the mouse.
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Zoom In Zoom Out |
The view can be „scaled“. This is an alternative to using the mouse wheel. |
Fit to window | Adjust the position and scaling in such way, that the whole construction is visible within the window. |
Snap to Grid |
The function of the snapping grid
will be turned on or off. The "check mark" shows the active setting of this function. See also: Snapping grind parameters |
Snap to Points |
This is a snapping function,
which snaps to already existing coordinate points and can be turned on or
off here. The "check mark" shows the active setting of this function. See also: Snapping grid parameters |
Snap-To-Grid params... | Shows the dialog used to adjust current snapping grid settings . |
Underlay/Overlay→ |
Functions respective to underlay/overlay. Remark: The planar underlay is registered at the plane shown within the window. Within the context of Elements23 window (i.e. a 3D-Project) up to three underlays can be registered within respective quadrants. |
Underlay/Overlay→ Image Register |
Offers the dialog "Register Underlay Image" to import an image file . |
Underlay/Overlay→ Image Hide |
If there is an underlay image registered and shown it will be hidden. |
Underlay/Overlay→ Image Drop |
If there is an underlay image registered its registration data will removed from the current project. |
Underlay/Overlay→ Image Underlay |
If there is an underlay image registered it will be shown as underlay (being occluded by elements entered). |
Underlay/Overlay→ Image Overlay 100% Image Overlay 50% Image Overlay 20% |
If there is an
underlay image
registered
it will be shown as overlay (occluding elements entered)
either opaque (100%) or with 50% or 20% of transparency value. The currently selected transparency value is marked with a checkmark left to the menu item. See also: Dialog "Register Underlay Image" to import an image file |
Many further functions of this context menu are common to all element processing windows and are described separately .
The editing marker is used for adjusting the position of one element. It is
displayed as rectangle emphasized with a thick coloured edges.
Dragging an edge with the mouse will translate (move) the complete edit marker
(and thus the element will also move). If however edge centres or corners are dragged (these are emphasized with
small rectangles) only the particular edge or corner will change its position.
By pressing the ESC-key the change initiated by dragging the
mouse can be reset to its original state at any moment.
Remark: If snapping to grid is active, changes to the position are restricted to current snapping grid lines.
Remark: When mouse pointer hovers over edges lines of the editing marker the properties of the element edited are shown in a tool-tip. The information shown applies to the edited element. The tool-tip text disappears after 5 seconds or on any mouse movement or click.
A double-click over the edge of the marker will expose the Element editor window.
The snapping grid, if active, restricts coordinate values which can be reached by moving the editing marker.
The snapping grid can be set up in such a way that only integral coordinates are allowed (each 1 mm) or only coordinates in integral multiplies of ten (each 10 mm) - etc. The setting of snapping grid can be adjusted from main menu via Edit→Snap to Grid params... . Activation and deactivation of snapping grid is also possible in the context menu .
When the function of snapping grid is turned off movements of editing marker will result in coordinate values calculated by the inverse transform of pixel coordinates at the mouse position. This transformation can result in numbers with large number of decimal places which, in most cases, will not correspond to desired element coordinates.
See also: Element Editor, Element selection (browser) window , Editing (input) windows), Context menu of element processing , Snapping grind parameters, Coordinate system , Export Image 2D , Copy Image 2D
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