Navigation Cube: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(Trying to combine "Cube Layout" and "Advanced options" since they are about the same parameters.)
(Moved the 'new view' remark.)
Line 72: Line 72:
=== Advanced parameters ===
=== Advanced parameters ===


Some advanced Navigation Cube parameters cannot be changed in the [[Preferences_Editor#Navigation|Preferences Editor]]. These parameters can be set manually in the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] or via the [[Interface_Customization#CubeMenu|CubeMenu external workbench]].
Some advanced Navigation Cube parameters cannot be changed in the [[Preferences_Editor#Navigation|Preferences Editor]]. These parameters can be set manually in the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] or via the [[Interface_Customization#CubeMenu|CubeMenu external workbench]]. The changes will become visible when a new 3D view is created (with [[Std_New|Std New]], [[Std_Open|Std Open]] or [[Std_ViewCreate|Std ViewCreate]]).


To set a color:
To manually set colors:
# Go to the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] and there to the path ''BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube''.
# Go to the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] and there to the path ''BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube''.
# Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type ''New unsigned item''.
# Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type ''New unsigned item''.
Line 86: Line 86:
# Press in the Parameter editor the button ''Save to disk''.
# Press in the Parameter editor the button ''Save to disk''.


To manually set the border width:
The changes will become visible with the next new creation of a cube (creation of a new document, loading a document).

To set the border width:
# Go to the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] and there to the path ''BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube''.
# Go to the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]] and there to the path ''BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube''.
# Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type ''New float item''.
# Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type ''New float item''.

Revision as of 15:13, 19 February 2023

Introduction

The Navigation Cube gives visual information about the camera orientation in the current 3D view and can be used to change it. By default it is visible and resides in the upper right corner of the view.

The Navigation Cube consists of a number of parts:

All parts, except the axis indicators, can be clicked.

Usage

Main cube

The main cube has 26 faces: 6 main faces, 12 rectangular edge faces (introduced in version 0.20), and 8 corner faces. Clicking any of them will reorient the camera so that its direction is perpendicular to the selected face.

Directional arrows

There are six directional arrows: four triangular arrowheads and two curved arrows. Clicking one of the triangular arrows will rotate the 3D view around a line perpendicular to the direction of the arrow. Clicking a curved arrow will rotate the 3D view around the view direction.

Reverse view button

Clicking the round button in the top right corner of the Navigation Cube will rotate the 3D view 180 degrees around the vertical axis of the view.

Mini-cube menu

Clicking the small cube in the bottom right corner of the Navigation Cube will bring up a menu with the following options:

  • Orthographic: switches to an orthographic view.
  • Perspective: switches to a perspective view.
  • Isometric: switches to an isometric view.
  • Zoom to fit: zooms and pans the camera so that all visible objects fit inside the view.

Customization

Move the Navigation Cube

The entire Navigation Cube can be moved by pressing the mouse anywhere on the main cube and dragging. The structure will not begin to move until the cursor moves beyond one of the edges of the main cube.

Preferences

The Navigation Cube is controlled by several preferences: Edit → Preferences... → Display → Navigation → Navigation cube. See Preferences Editor.

Advanced parameters

Some advanced Navigation Cube parameters cannot be changed in the Preferences Editor. These parameters can be set manually in the Parameter editor or via the CubeMenu external workbench. The changes will become visible when a new 3D view is created (with Std New, Std Open or Std ViewCreate).

To manually set colors:

  1. Go to the Parameter editor and there to the path BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube.
  2. Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type New unsigned item.
  3. Input as name one of these available colors:
    • BorderColor (the lines separating the cube faces, default is ff323232)
    • ButtonColor (all elements around the cube, default is 80e2e9ef)
    • FrontColor (all cube faces, default is c0e2e9ef)
    • HiliteColor (the cube face that is currently highlighted, default is ffaae2ff)
    • TextColor (the text at the cube faces, default is ff000000)
  4. Input the color value as number. The color has the form TTRRGGBB (each two hexadecimal digits for the Transparency, Red, Green, Blue). This hexadecimal value has to be input as 32-bit unsigned integer. A suitable way to do this is to use an online convertor tool, for example this one. So to get e.g. an orange color, the hexadecimal code would be "ffff8800" and the input would be "4294936576".
  5. Press in the Parameter editor the button Save to disk.

To manually set the border width:

  1. Go to the Parameter editor and there to the path BaseApp/Preferences/NaviCube.
  2. Right-click in the window listing the parameter names and select in the appearing context menu to add the type New float item.
  3. Input the name BorderWidth (default is 1.1).
  4. Input the width as value.
  5. Press in the Parameter editor the button Save to disk.