Basic controls of Rhinoceros 3D software

lecture 2 Basic controls of Rhinoceros 3D software After the start Rhinoceros 3D software shows basic working area compound by four viewports (show model in other positions), popup menu over, palette menu left and over viewports, two statement lines and status line (Fig. 2-1). Primary operate tool is instrumental to all commands selection in popup or pallete menu, to enhanced selection in statement line operating. Left mouse button election of this tool lead to canceling in active action, right mouse button election lead to canceling in all actions in progress. Fig. 2-1 Basic working area. 10

2.1 Rhinoceros commands Rhinoceros interface (abbreviation Rhino) allow three ways command assigning: 1/ Popup menu using. Commands are divided into three levels maximum (s. Fig. 2-2). Fig. 2-2 Popup menu 2/ Click the button in palette menu. Some of icons have two different roles - left mouse button click (LMB) and right button click (RMB). Every button displays its funktions without click - keep cursor on this button (small help is shown, Fig. 2-4). Buttons with a small arrow in right lower corner include the next pallete menu, that is display with longer click (Fig. 2-3). Fig. 2-3 Tool palette Fig. 2-4 Help 11

3/ Commands are inserted through command line. Help (key F1 or popup menu Help) contain an exact wording of commands, list of exact commands with explenation. Command line serve to coordinate setting - object sizes, displaces, tight spots, etc. Some of commands offer next options (Fig. 2-5), which are control by the keyboard or mouse click directly to particular option in command line. Fig. 2-5 Command line with the displayed function option. Following text describe functions just for data entering by points 1/ and 2/ (popup menu and palette menu). 2.2 Excercises 1: First steps with Rhinoceros Create simulation object for better description of following text. 1/ Choose icon short (indicate default objects set). Short selection represent the box. 2/ Choose with mouse first corner in the random view or assign three coordinates comma separated (e.g. 0,0,0 - origin of coordinate system). 3/ Next point determine the base (assign by the mouse or by keyboard again - two coordinates comma separated). Only one coordinate set the edge lenght, then Rhinoceros demand set of second base edge. 4/ Third point shape the height. To create the cube, set the same edge lenght or press just Enter and Rhinoceros create the same second and third object dimension. Note: Other objects are possible to define alike. The best aid during the moulding is to observe a command line. 12

2.3 Viewport activity Rhinoceros (continue Rhino) start with four viewports (default settings). Moulded object is shown from Top, Front, Right and Pespective. This viewport settings is possible to change. Active viewport is accentuated. Click into other viewport change active view. Size relationship between views is possible to change. Keep the cursor on the views boundary, is chanded, hold LMB and pull a mouse to required dimensions (Fig. 2-6). To zoom active viewport, click twice LMB to the blue corner with a name of this view (Fig. 2-7), then working area contain only this view. Fig. 2-6 Example of proportional views change. Fig. 2-7 The way to viewport zoom. 13

Blue corner with a name each of viewports hide menu for working with views (display and zoom). To active this menu, click a blue corner RMB (Fig.2-8) or popup menu View. Contain: Maximize - viewport zoom (the same meaning like double LMB click to the blue corner). Pan view - 2D shift mode in active viewport (move direction is given by the mouse dragging direction). The cursor is changed to (the behavior is turn on by icon in pallete menu over views, too). In perspective view is tool is activated by key shortcut: RMB + Shift key + dragging. Shortcut for the other views (2D): RMB + dragging. Rotate view - icon (the same menu like previous command) - cursor is changed to the same symbol. This operation is controled by LMB + dragging (simulate rotation). In 2D viewports cause a change of view to perspective (without a name change), so it is necessary to return a view sort follow-up again. Key short cut valid just for perspective: RMB + dragging. Zoom ensemble: Dynamic - - Active view is scaled by the mouse dragging direction (up or down). After the activation is controled by LMB + dragging up or down. Key short cut in all views: Ctrl + RMB + dragging (Y axis direction). Fig. 2-8 Menu for working with views (display and zoom). Window - - Zoom area is defined by a rectangle size (press and hold LMB to delimit). Target - Similar function to previous. Zoom area is defined by a rectangle from centre (press twice LMB to delimit). 14

Extents - - Zooms active view up or down to picture all of the shown objects in scene. Extents All - Corresponds with previous function. Pictures all of the shown objects in scene in all viewports. Function is activated by combination, too: RMB + in palette menu over. Selected - - Zooms up choosen objects within active view to maximal size. Objects are selected by the window (press twice LMB to delimit). To select an object, delimit window area over the whole object. Selected All - Zooms up choosen object delimited by the window area in all views. Function is activated by combination, too: RMB + in palette menu over. Undo View Change - - Returns whatever view change one step back. Keyboard short cut: Home. Redo View Change - Restores whatever view change one step forward. Key short cut: End or + RMB. Set View ensamble: Ensamble is placed in the pallete menu over viewports - is hide underneath Right view icon. Contains operations involved in views change and more complex operations (Fig. 2-9). These functions include popup menu View or menu underneath blue corner with a name in the corners each of viewports, too. Fig. 2-9 Tool pallete Set View underneath Right view icon. 15

Plan (perpendicularly to CPlane) - Set view perpendicularly to Construction Plane (s. Lecture 9). Top - Bottom - Left - - Active view is switched into ground plan. - Active view is switched into bottom view. - Left look. Right - Front - - Vertical projection. Back - Perspective - Named Views... - Allow adjusted view to save with a name, then is possible to return to this view sequentially. This command is recommended to use by the work with many groups or objects situated in another places of scene. Viewport Layout ensamble: 4 Viewports - - Working area divides into four identical default adjusted views (the same working area like new file start). 3 Viewports - - Working area divides into three views. New Viewport - - Inserts new viewport in the centre of working area between others. Is possible to move or edit this view. Active window is lined-up front (views are located in layers). Close Viewport - Closes active window. Ensambles Set CPlane, Named CPlanes: S. Lecture 9. Ensamble Background Bitmap: S. Lecture 9. 16

2.4 Display modes Display modes are included in menu underneath the blue corner each of windows. Every mode has keyboard short cut. Display modes, that are not based on rendering methods, use during the calculation user adjusted data about the name, layer, color, number of isocurves, etc. If any data adjusted, calculate with default data. The difference show Fig. 2-10 - 2-12 (color and layer are adjusted by the cylinder, default settings by the box). Rendered display mode takes informations about material properties (transparency, gloss, etc.). This mode is used just for previews or by work with a small files. Calculation of rendered mode is for a longer time and by work with more complicated objects brings hardware troubles (by a computer equipment). Wireframe Display - +LMB - Ctrl + Alt + W - Objects are represent by curves in edges and by isocurves. Suitable to operations with a few items or with curves. This mode is used by Rhino automatically when calculating is too complicated (virtual memory absence). Shaded Display - +LMB - Ctrl + Alt + S - S. Fig. 2-10. Objects are shown without isocurves in color by object properties (s. Lecture 7), material setting is ignored. Fig. 2-10 Shaded Display Ghosted Display - Ctrl + Alt + G - Fig. 2-11. Fig. 2-11 Ghosted Display 17

X-ray Display - Ctrl + Alt + X - Corresponds with Shaded Display, uses dfferent method for curves representation. The difference is that show all of the curves - show in case of cover with other objects, too. S. Fig. 2-12. Fig. 2.12 X-ray Display Rendered Display - Ctrl + Alt + R - Simplified rendered mode allows for informations about material characteristic, color, scene preexposure, etc. Displays wires and isocurves. Fig. 2-13 Rendered Display. Flat Shade - Additional parameter to all of the display modes (does not operate by Wireframe Display). Make color gradients throught patches with constant shading. Fig. 2-15. Fig. 2-14 Flat Shade election dialogue Fig. 2-15 Flat Shade by Shaded Display 18

Shade Selected Objects Only - The next additional parameter for all of the display modes. Selected object or more objects are pictured in choosen display mode, other object are portrayed in Wireframe Display. Refresh - Refresh display. Display Options... - Includes options of display modes - grid in scene projection, image of an axis and their symbols, image of an isocurves, lights, text and dimensions, color of the light scene illumining. 2.5 Auxiliary functions and Status line Description about functions and informations pictured in status line step by step from left: CPlane / World reverser Show cursor position Show active layer Snap reverser Orthogonal moulding Planar moulding Object Snap activate Fig. 2-16 Status line CPlane / World - Reverser between two coordinate systems using - user contruction plane system and global. This function has not practical using. The next indicator shows actual position by X,Y,Z axis of cursor in the scene. Is depend on viewport mode. Indicator of actual layer hides underneath existing layers list.this problematic include Lecture 7. Snap - F9 - Snap switch. During operations (rotation, translation, copy, etc.) is cursor translated by the steps (step size depend on settings - menu File / Properties / Grid or by icon). Ortho - F8 - Orthogonal movement switch. The movement proceeds just parallel to axis (perpendicular to projection planes). 19

Planar - Working in area switch. The work proceeds by actual viewport in projections plane (in global or construction plane coordination system in perspective view). Osnap - Object Snap - Very important function! Allows a cursor fixing during operations (new object creating, translation, rotation or other edit) to the nearest object by settings under. Fig. 2-17. Fig. 2-17 Menu Osnap = Object Snap End - The cursor is fixed to ending points of existing objects (end of lines, objects vertex, etc.), Fig. 2-18. Near - The cursor is fixed to the nearest points of the nearest object. Fig. 2-19. Point - Fixing to the nearest points (reacts not to solids, just to independent points). Fig. 2-20. Mid - Midpoint - Middle - Catches middle points on the curves or object edges. Fig. 2-21. Cen - Center - Looks for the centres of circles, rounds, spheres, rounded edges or curved surface. Fig. 2-22. Int - Intersection - React to the intersections of two or more objects. Fig. 2-23. Perp - Perpendicular To - Catches the nearest points perpendicular to tangent of curve or plane in this point. Fig. 2-24. Tan - Tangent to - The cursor is fixed tangent to the nearest curved object. Fig. 2-25. Quad - Quadrant - Looks for ending points of curved objects. Fig. 2-26. Knot - Catches knots - points of curve segments conjuction or points of more solid bases conjuction (e.g. box vertex). Fig. 2-27. Project - When the button is on, every operation is doing in a plane (edit operations). All of points are projected into the plane of projection or contruction plane by new objects creating. Disable - When the button is on, Object Snap menu is deactivated. 20

Fig. 2-18 OSnap End - The cursor is fixed to ending points of existing objects (end of lines, objects vertex, etc.) Fig. 2-19 OSnap Near - The cursor is fixed to the nearest points of the nearest object. Fig 2-20 OSnap Point - Fixing to the nearest point object (reacts not to solids). Fig. 2-21 OSnap Middle - Catches middle points on the curves or object edges Reacts not to the circle centre or something similar! Fig. 2-22 OSnap Center - The cursor is fixed to the centres of circles, rounds, spheres, rounded edges or curved surface. Fig. 2-23 OSnap Intersection - The cursor is fixed to the intersets of two objects with any degree. 21

Fig. 2-24 OSnap Perpendicular to - In terms of engaged operation is cursor attracted to other object to the seats of normal in the operation direction, i.e. a join of blowout point operation and adherent point. Fig. 2-25 OSnap Tangent to - The direction of elected operation is intended by gripping to other object at point of tangent touch. Fig. 2-26 OSnap Quadrant - The cursor is attracted to the device adapter points of quadrants of incurvated objects. Fig. 2-27 OSnap Knot - In terms of requisite operation is cursor fixed to the nodical points objects, i.e. to the points of intercourse of more surfaces that forms the object. 22

2.6 Excercises 2 Create new objects and try shown function: 1/ Choose shortly icon to create new object (the box). To creating of other default solid, choose the same icon at lenght. Try to create all of the solids (beyond icons - ). Solids are generally define by the base (center, rectangle) and by the height. 2/ Some of created object take by LMB, hold and drag with a mouse. Taken solid is moved in scene. 3/ To orthogonal move, hold Shift key or turn on Ortho button in status line. To cancel the operation, press Esc. 2.7 Very useful operation Each of users makes a mistakes by the work. Rhinoceros allows return or forward about unlimited steps. It is limited only by steps after file opening. Menu Undo is activated by longer press icon. To return one step back (Undo), press shortly LMB. To forward one step (Redo), press shortly the same icon by RMB. These function are placed in menu Edit. Short cuts: Ctrl + Z (Undo), Ctrl + Y (Redo). Menu Undo include return selected steps back. Fig. 2-18 Menu Undo 23

2.7 Menu File Rhinoceros produce and save own data into files type.3dm. Popup menu File contain operations needful to loading, exporting, etc. Some of operations are placed in pallete menu, too. New... - Ctrl + N - - New file. Rhino offer template files with default properties (units - inches, milimetres, feets, etc.; viewports). Election No Template open the file without a name and default properties. Open... - Ctrl + O - - Open existing file. Rhino is able to open many file formats of other modellers (STEP, IGES, AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max LightWave, Stereolithography, etc.). Save - Ctrl + S - - Save named file. Election in menu Properties / Files or icon (Document Properties) include automatic save settings during the work. Save Small - Save compressed file. Small file size is obout 25-30% smaller by the data file (objects complicatedness). Incremental Save - Save file during work under the name with ascending number. Rhino does not operate with construction history, so function substitute in part this deficiency. Save As... - Save file under the name. Save As Template... - Serve to new template creating for menu File / New... (new template is offered in this menu). Insert... - Inserts to the actual set other set or object. At nesting it is possible to inline object place to the any point, with any gauge adjustable in three dimensions, with rotation and to the insider, like independent object or like instance block. Import... - + left mouse button (LMB = Left Mouse Button) Import another file into actual file. File formats possible to import, s. menu Open... 24

Export Selected... - + Right Mouse Button - Export active objects into formats in paragraph Open... Export With Origin... - Export selected objects in other file type (not 3dm format). This file include data about Origin point in scene (if any origin insert,origin of global coordinate system is taken). Properties... - All of the file properties (settings of dimensions, polygon mesh, units, grid, etc.) and general settings (zoom scale, translations, rotation, mouse settings, keyboard short cuts, text settings, colouring, automatic save, etc.) Print... - Ctrl + P - Printing and printing option. Send... - Send Rhinoceros model in e-mail. Exit - Quit Rhinoceros. 25