The Edit
Symbol function brings up another dialog with edit functions. In
the edit dialog, the program shows the dimensions of the model and
the number of data points.This command manages a collection of 3D graphic files. The 3D
Model Library is used in 3D viewing commands such as 3D Drive
Simulation for adding objects to the scene.
The files are grouped by user-defined categories. The graphic
files can be either .dxf, .mdl or .obj format. SketchUp .skp files
can also be selected to add to the library. The program will
convert these .skp files into .obj format. The SaveAs and Load
functions allow you to save the model library to .mlib files for
sharing or backup. The current model library data is stored in the
Carlson USER folder in models.dta.
The Edit
Symbol function brings up another dialog with edit functions. In
the edit dialog, the program shows the dimensions of the model and
the number of data points.
The Rotation function sets the default rotation for when the
object is inserted. The Random Rotate option makes the rotation
random for each time the object is inserted which applies to
objects like trees that are inserted multiple times and look better
with different rotations.
The Scale function sets the initial insertion scale. Often a
scale factor of 0.08333 is needed to convert a model in inches
units into feet for inserting into a scene in feet units. The X/Y/Z
axis can be scaled independently or uniformly. The scale can be set
directly by factors or by entering the model dimensions which is
handy for vehicle models when the dimensions of the vehicle are
known.
The Translation settings control the insertion point of the
model.
The Orientation setting for Force Vertical Orientation makes the
model level when inserted into the scene which applies to objects
like trees and buildings. Otherwise the models get inserted at the
slope of the surface at their position which is good for objects
like vehicles.
The Drawing Replace setting is for switching a block from the
drawing with the model from the library when the scene for the 3D
viewer is loaded from a drawing selection set. This function allows
you to have a 2D symbol in the drawing that gets replaced with a 3D
model when using the 3D viewer.
Pulldown Menu Location: Settings
Keyboard Commands: modellib
Prerequisite: None