16/06/22 18.

47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

Intergraph Smart 3D Common

Hexagon PPM Documentation Web Site

Generated 06/16/2022

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 1/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

Best Practices
You might encounter situations where you do not know the best technique for using views,
styles, and aspects. The following best practices guide you through these processes.
Because your modeling environment is unique, specific instructions are not possible.
However, enough detail is provided so that you can work through the solutions.

Using multiple graphics windows

Consider setting up multiple graphics windows for the following situations:

You need to see both a detailed view and the context for that view in the larger
model.

You need to see things from multiple orientations.

You need to be able to rotate the display of objects. This is usually easier to do with a
smaller, clipped view.

Using clipping
You can use clipping planes to focus your view on specific objects in the model. The
following procedure displays figures from an example model.

Rotating the display of a clipped view rotates about the center of that clipping
volume. Because of this, objects are less likely to rotate out of the display area. Unclipped
volumes rotate the entire model, which can cause unexpected results.

Set the clipping volume

1. Select objects that represents the limits of the area to display.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 2/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

2. Click Clip by Object .

The objects within the volume defined by the selected objects display.

Modify the clipping volume using the Active View Control

1. Click Active View Control to display the Active View Control Dialog Box.

You must establish the clipping planes before using Active View Control to
display the clipping planes on the Active View Control dialog box.

2. Drag the clipping planes to display the correct volume.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 3/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

Modify the clipping volume using Clip by Volume or Plane

1. Click Clip by Volume or Plane .

If you have established the clipping planes, they display in the model. Otherwise, you
must provide points to establish the clipping volume.

2. Drag the clipping planes to display the correct volume.

You can also use QuickPick to position the clipping planes.

Saving views

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 4/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

Saving a view allows you to quickly restore your display with your specified zoom and
clipping settings. Named views are saved in the session file. For more information, see
Named Views.

Saving a named view

1. Click a view to make it active.

2. Click View > Named Views.

3. In the blank line indicated by an asterisk, type a name and description for the saved
view.

Displaying a named view

1. Click any view.

2. Click View > Named Views.

3. Click a saved view to recall.

4. Click Apply.

The named view displays in the selected window.

Using transparent styles

Transparent styles allow you to see more of the detail in your model without zooming in.
This is particularly helpful when you have a lot of objects in the graphics area.

Default style Translucent style

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 5/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

For more information, see Surface Style Rules.

1. Click Format > Surface Style Rules to display the Surface Style Rules Dialog
Box.

2. Select the style rule to use to display the Surface Style Rule Properties Dialog Box.
You can modify an existing rule, or create a new one.

3. Name the style rule, if necessary.

4. Select a filter that meets your needs.

5. Select a translucent style from the Style applied list.

6. Click Properties next to the Style applied list to display the New/Modify Style Dialog
Box.

7. Change the Opacity box to 0.25.

8. Click OK on the Modify Style dialog box.

Changing the style changes the display for everyone using the model.

9. In the Select all aspects to which the style will be applied list, select the boxes for
the aspects to display in the transparent style.

The mores aspects you select, the larger the session file becomes.

10. Click OK on the Surface Style Rule Properties dialog box.

11. Select the style rule that you modified from the Style rule library list on the Surface
Style Rules dialog box, and then click Add.

12. Click OK.

The parts that meet your filter display in the translucent color.

Using system folders to manage styles

You can use system folders to simplify the use of styles and make it easier to focus on the
objects that you are working on. Create system folders for the types of objects that you
want to display using a specific style. For example, you could have a folder for all of the
structure objects. Assign a view style to that folder, and then all structure created within
that folder will display using that style. For more information, see Surface Style Rules.

1. Create the system folders in the Workspace Explorer to meet your needs.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 6/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

2. Click Format > Surface Style Rules to display the Surface Style Rules Dialog Box.

3. Click New.

4. Type a name for the rule in the Rule name box.

5. Select Create New Filter from the Filter list.

6. Type a name for the filter in the Name box.

7. Click the System tab.

8. Select the system folder.

9. Click OK on the New Filter Properties dialog box.

10. Select the style to apply from the Style applied list.

11. If necessary, click Properties next to the Style applied list, and adjust the style
properties.

12. Click OK on the Surface Style Rule Properties dialog box.

13. Select the style rule that you created from the Style rule library list.

14. Click Add.

15. Click OK on the Surface Style Rules dialog box.

16. Create the object in the appropriate system folders.

The objects display using the view style assigned to the folder.

Using surface style rules

You can use surface style rules to apply a visual style to objects found by a filter. There is a
library of filters delivered with Smart 3D. For more information on surface style rules, see
Surface Style Rules.

Using enhanced edges render modes

Using enhanced edges makes it easier to see similar objects that overlap.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 7/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

Smooth Shading Shaded with Enhanced Shaded with Hardware

Edges Enhanced Edges

For more information, see Format View.

1. Click Format > View to display the Format View Dialog Box.

2. Select the type of shading to use from the Render Mode list.

3. Click OK.

Shaded with Enhanced Edges uses software to create the enhancement. Models
may take longer to refresh with this option.

Shaded with Hardware Enhanced Edges refreshes more quickly. This option is
only available if your graphics card supports it.

Changing default colors

Changing the default background color may make it easier to find objects in your model.
For more information, see Options.

1. Click Tools > Options to display the Options Dialog Box.

2. Click the Colors tab.

3. Select a color from the Background list.

4. Select a color with sufficient contrast to the Background color from the Handle list.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 8/9
16/06/22 18.47 Hexagon PPM Documentation PDF Export

The software uses the Handle color for glyphs. If the Handle color does not
have sufficient contrast to the Background color, the glyphs can be difficult to see.

5. Click OK.

Using the Reference Geometry aspect

You can turn the display of certain objects, such as reference curves, on and off by
controlling the display of the Reference Geometry aspect. For more information, see
Format View.

1. Click Format > View to display the Format View Dialog Box.

2. Select Reference Geometry from the Selected Aspects list to turn off the display of
the objects included in that aspect.

Copyright
Copyright© Hexagon AB and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.

https://docs.hexagonppm.com/internal/api/webapp/print/d20ba134-8e34-494b-8213-a2bd9fade40c 9/9