Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide

Figure 11.1: Focus Point, Viewpoint, and Viewing Distance

Focuspoint

Displaycoordinate
systemorigin

Distance

Viewpoint

X

Y

Z

Viewingvector

(towardorigin)

11.3.1. Changing the Viewing Direction

The viewing direction is established by a vector directed from the viewpoint to the display coordinate
system origin. You use the /VIEW command to define the position of the viewpoint in the display co-
ordinate system.
Command(s):/VIEW
GUI: Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Pan, Zoom, Rotate
Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Viewing Direction

You can also specify /VIEW,WN,WP to align the view perpendicular to the current working plane.

Use the following shortcut to pan, zoom, and rotate a graphics display: Press the CONTROL key and
hold it down. You are now in Dynamic Manipulation Mode. Notice that the cursor assumes a different
shape. Still holding the CONTROL key down, use the mouse buttons to manipulate your view of the
display. When you want to leave Dynamic Manipulation Mode, simply release the CONTROL key.

You can also remap your mouse buttons to match the operation (in dynamic mode only) of other pro-
grams. The command /UIS,BORD,LEFT,MIDDLE,RIGHT can be used. See the /UIS command for more in-
formation on dynamic mode mouse button remapping.

Note

If you are a Windows ANSYS user performing dynamic manipulation (panning, zooming, ro-

tating), do not use the 256-color setting, which is the default on many systems and which

slows down computer performance. To change the color setting, select the Start button in

the bottom left-hand corner of the terminal screen and choose Settings> Control Panel>

Display> Settings. Change the Color Palette drop-down list to Tr ue Color, or, at least, the

Release 15.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information

Changing the Viewing Angle, Zooming, and Panning