Chapter 1 Introduction > Using the Application

3D Views are used to view the data in the project in 3 dimensions. Each view represents a saved presentation of the data in 3D. The following data can be shown in the 3D views:

•Boring/Wells

•Cross-sections

•Samples

•Contour Maps

•Strata defined between contour maps

•Buildings/structures

•GIS data

Below is a brief introduction on how to create and edit 3D views, detailed information is provided in Chapter 12.

Creating 3D Views

To create a new 3D view either select File > New > 3D View or click on the 3D Views category on the sidebar and then select Popup > New (to display the popup menu click the right mouse button). After this the Create 3D Display view form will be displayed where you can specify the unique name for the view. The view will then be displayed and can be edited as described below.

Selecting 3D Views

An existing 3D view in the project can be opened by either selecting File > Open > 3D View or by clicking on the 3D Views category on the sidebar and then selecting Popup > Open. The Open 3D View form will be displayed where you can select which view to open.

Editing 3D Views

A 3D view is comprised of a 3D display and a sidebar on the left. The sidebar consists of three panels, one for sliders, one for data objects to be displayed, and one showing a map view of the 3D display.

The sliders on the sidebar are used for the following:

•Zooming the 3D display

•Adjusting the grid elevation

•Adjusting the boring size

•Adjusting the overlay opacity

•Adjusting the overlay elevation

•Adjusting the contour map opacity

•Adjusting the contour map elevation

•Adjusting the cutout size

The data object panel on the sidebar is used to turn the display on and off of the following objects:

•GIS data

•boring/well

•Cross-sections

•Maps

•Cutouts

•Solids

•Buildings/structures

•Grids

The map view panel shows a 2D map view of the project. It can be used for the following:

•To adjust the light position (represented by a light bulb) with the mouse

•The location of the elevation axis (represented by a red dot on a corner) by clicking on the corner where it is to be displayed

The 3D display can be edited and manipulated as described below:

•The 3D display can be rotated and zoomed by clicking on it with the mouse and moving the mouse

•Preset views (North, South, East, West, Top-down) can be selected from the edit menus or toolbar

•It can be tilted left, right, forward, and backward using the edit menus or toolbar

•The shading can be turned off and on using the edit menus

•Its display options can be adjusted using the edit menus

Printing 3D Views

The 3d View can be included in a project view for the project and printed. This is described in more detail in the Project Views section below.