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Working with Pictures

The analysis and design modules often have pictures linked to the input tables to make data entry interactive and more intuitive. Pictures are also often used to present analysis results.

Zooming and panning pictures

You can zoom in to get a close-up view of a picture. Some pictures have Zoom buttons for this purpose. If a picture does not have such buttons, you can still zoom it by right-clicking the picture and choosing a command from the context menu.

The following zoom commands are normally available for all pictures:

  • Window: Indicate a rectangular area to zoom into.
  • All: Display the whole picture, based on the size defined internally for the background.
  • Last: Revert to the last zoom setting.
  • Extents: Display the whole picture, based on the drawn entities.
  • In: Zoom in by 50%.
  • Out: Zoom out by 50%.
  • Pan: Drag the project in any direction to view an adjoining portion.
  • Print: Send the picture to the printer.
  • Save: Save the picture as a file (not always visible).
  • 3D mode: Toggle between 3D and 2D display (some modules only)
Note: In some modules, e.g. Frame Analysis, a additional button may is available for adding a picture to the Calcsheets.

Saving pictures

You to save the picture in the following file formats:

Suggestion: If the Save button or the whole of the picture toolbar is not visible, your can right-click the picture to display the context menu and then select Save.

Working with 3D pictures

Because of their nature, some analysis and design modules need to display 3D pictures. In addition to the toolbar buttons described above, the following buttons are available for 3D pictures:

  • View point: Display the View Point Control for defining the view point and other view characteristics (some modules only). See the relevant program's Help for more information.
  • View plane: Display the View Plane Control for defining a view plane (some modules only). Views can be safer for easy recall in future; refer to the relevant program's Help for more information.
  • Rotate left: Rotate the structure to the left about the Y-axis. The rotation angle is defined in the View Point Control.
  • Rotate right: Rotate the structure to the right about the Y-axis.
  • Rotate up: Rotate the structure backward.
  • Rotate down: Rotate the structure forward.
  • Orbit: Rotate the image freely about the centre of the model. Alternatively, hold the Shift key, and rotate the image with the picture using the middle mouse button.
  • 3D mode: Toggle between full 3D rendering and line drawing.
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