Visualization

The Visualization options let you customize general display options.

This page discusses:

Colors

Graduated color background
Activates a graduated color background in all open documents using the Basic ambience, and in the Preview area of the Visualization tab itself. This graduated color uses a double gradient mode.

The reference line's color (66% of the tab's height from the top) is calculated automatically from the background color as follows:

  • Hue (name by which the color is designated): identical
  • Saturation (color intensity): -10%
  • Luminance (color brightness): +20%

When the Graduated color background check box is selected, the background color is progressively graduated from the top of the tab to the reference line. Then, it returns progressively to the predefined background color from the reference line to the bottom of the tab.

By default, this option is cleared.

Background
Sets background color in all open tabs.
Important:
  • The default graduated background color can also be reset by selecting it from the list.
  • Except Basic, this option has no effect on the other ambiences provided.

By default, the background is gray with the following RGB values: 235, 235, 235.

No Show background

Sets background color in the No Show space. Transferring objects to the No Show space means that they are no longer displayed.

To keep coherence between the Show and No Show spaces, the following rule is applied:

  • When the background color of the Show space is modified, the background color of the No Show space is updated accordingly.
  • When the background color of the No Show space is modified, the background color of the Show space is not updated.

This option has no impact on the background color (graduated or not) you define above.

Low-intensity elements
Sets the color of low-intensity elements.

Low-intensity elements are elements such as parts, products, or drawings that cannot be filtered, or removed. The default color for low-intensity elements is "dark green" (as indicated in the picture of the Visualization tab above).

Update needed
Sets the color of objects to be updated.
Handles
Sets the color for handles. Handles are displayed on certain objects (planar patches, holes, and so on) for moving them more easily.
Surface boundary
Sets the color and thickness of the surface boundary. Surface boundaries are edges bounded by only one face.

By default, this option is cleared.

Depth display

Display all elements using Z-buffer depth

Activates the Z-buffer so that all elements hide each other.

All elements including lines and planes (usually displayed in front of other elements) are displayed at their true depth in the 3D scene. If this option is not selected, lines and planes are always displayed in front of other elements.

By default, this option is cleared.

Anti-aliasing

Edges/Lines
Activates anti-aliasing on all edges and lines. Then, define the Offset coefficient using the arrows on the right.

This offset enables you to enhance the quality of anti-aliasing (anti-aliasing makes jagged lines and edges appear smoother).

The maximum value you can specify is 0.9. When the offset has been defined, you must perform a viewing operation, such as a translation or a rotation, to see the result.

Important: During the viewing operation, anti-aliasing is deactivated for performance reasons but it is applied as soon as you stop manipulating the object.

By default, this option is cleared.

Perform transparent faces as opaque in HRD mode

Displays transparent faces as opaque when working in HRD mode.

This option is used in combination with the Dynamic hidden line removal option in the View Mode Customization dialog box. It makes the visualization correspond to what you see when printing objects using the HRD rendering mode: when both options are selected, edges located behind transparent faces are not visible.

Important: When using the Depth Effect... command, hidden edges might appear because when you change the frustum, some sections of the transparent faces that were considered as opaque might not be in the frustum anymore. Therefore, hidden edges located behind these faces are displayed.

By default, Off is selected.

Display current scale in parallel mode

Click On to activate the display of the scaling factor at the lower right of the work area when displaying objects in a parallel view.

To do so, click Parallel from the View section of the action bar.

The option helps you to know the real size of an object with the following formula:

real size = size on screen / scaling factor

Scale display is automatically refreshed when zooming.

By default, Off is selected.

Static Batching

Combines the 3D shapes in your scene together to render them in a faster way.

This option is relevant for models containing large datasets and lets you optimize visualization performance by reducing the number of draw calls. There is no impact on the model appearance.

If this option is selected, it is taken into account next time you open a new model. If you have already opened your model, first close it then reopen it, otherwise the option has no effect.

Notes:
  • Depending on the model on which the command is run or the machine you are using, there might be no improvement. Performance might even be decreased.
  • There is a price to pay in performance when opening a product.
  • If the combined geometry is modified, the modification might not be reflected in the visual appearance, or it might deactivate the batch and, thus, the original geometry is displayed instead.
  • Primitives might be drawn in a different order (this can be seen when the model is transparent).

By default, this option is cleared.

Projection Type

Parallel
Sets the Parallel projection type as the default.
Perspective
Sets the Perspective projection type as the default.

The selected projection type applies to the new tabs or widgets you open.

By default, this option is defined to Parallel.

View Angle

Modifies the parallel or perspective angle (in degrees) when viewing objects.

Use the spinner, or enter the appropriate value in the box.

The new angle value applies to the new tabs and widgets you open.

By default, this option is defined to 0.1.

View Modes

In User Interface, click in the list the version you want to use for managing view modes.

  • V1: the action bar displays shading and view customization commands.
  • V2 (with appearances): the action bar displays the View Modes... command that lets you use and customize predefined view modes and appearances through a dedicated panel.

By default, V2 (with appearances) is selected.