Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Another tool to help you visualize the internal workings of a design is the Sectionplane com-
mand. This command creates a plane that defi nes the location of a cross section. A section plane
can also do more than just show a cross section. Try the following exercise to see how it works:
1.
In the Bracket file, click Model in the Status Bar palette, select Model from the pop-up
menu, and then change the color of layer 0 to a light gray so you can see the bracket more
clearly when using the Realistic visual style.
2.
Select Realistic from the Visual Styles menu on the Viewport Controls.
3.
Make sure that the Object Snap and Object Snap Tracking toggles are turned off in the
Status Bar palette. This will allow you to point to surfaces on the model while using the
Sectionplane command.
4.
Adjust your view so it looks similar to Figure 22.40.
5.
Click the Section Plane tool near the bottom of the Tool Sets palette. You can also enter
SECTIONPLANE
↵ at the Command prompt. You'll see the following prompt:
Select face or any point to locate
section line or [Draw section/Orthographic]:
6.
Click the front plane of the bracket, as shown in Figure 22.40. A plane appears on that
surface.
FIGURE 22.40
Adding the sec-
tion plane to
your bracket
Click this surface.
You can move the section plane object along the solid to get a real-time view of the section it
traverses. To do this, you need to turn on the Live Section feature. To check whether Live Section
is turned on, do the following:
1.
Click the section plane, and then right-click. If you see a check mark by the Activate
Live Sectioning option, then you know it's on. If you don't see a check mark, then choose
Activate Live Sectioning to turn it on.
