Controlling the Display

When performing finite element modeling and analysis setup, it is important to be able to view the model from different vantage points and control the visibility of entities. You may need to rotate the model to understand the shape, zoom in to view details more closely, or hide specific parts of the model so other parts can be seen. Sometimes a shaded visualization is best, while other times a wireframe visualization is needed to work on details inside the model.
HyperMesh has many functions to help you control the view, visibility, and visualization of entities.  This exercise introduces you to these functions.

Standard Views Toolbar

The Standard Views toolbar contains functionality for quickly changing the view of the model in the graphics area to a standard view including fitting the model in the graphics area. The Standard Views toolbar can be turned on and off from the View menu's Toolbars sub-menu. Mouse over the icons below to see a short description of each function.

View Controls Toolbar

The View Controls toolbar contains functionality for dynamic manipulating of the model view in the graphics area using standard mouse controls: Click, Hold, Drag, and Release. The View Controls toolbar can be turned on and off from the View menu's Toolbars sub-menu. Mouse over the icons to see a short description of each function.

Mouse Control

The preferred method for Display Control is the use of the Mouse Buttons. With the CTRL key held on the keyboard the mouse provides total control over rotation, zoom and pan.

	Left Mouse Button +Ctrl & Drag for Rotate +Ctrl & Click on entity to change center of rotation +Ctrl & Click in Graphics Area off entities to reset center to middle of screen
	Middle Mouse Button +Ctrl & Drag for Zoom +Ctrl & Click for Fit
	Right Mouse Button +Ctrl & Drag for Pan

Visualization Toolbar

The Visualization toolbar controls how entities are visualized in the graphics area, including control for setting the geometry and mesh color mode The visualization toolbar can be turned on and off from the View menu, Toolbars sub-menu. Mouse over the icons to see a description of each function. Follow the directions in the captions to see examples of the display modes.

Mask/Display Toolbar

The masking tools allow the user to show and hide select entities that might interfere with desired visualization.  The mask icons are found on the Display toolbar. Mouse over the icons in the toolbar to see a short description of each function.

The Spherical Clipping panel allows you to focus on specific areas of the model by displaying only the portions of a model inside a 3D spherical volume, while masking everything outside the sphere. If you want to work on a small section of a large model without masking or turning off any entities, enable the clipping and pick the center and the radius of the clipping sphere. It can be accessed using the icon    and will open the panel shown below.