Section View

Introduction

This topic will explain the Section View function, and the options found in it. This topic will also describe where to find the function, provide quick steps on how to use it, and provide links to related topics.

The Section View Function

The Section View function is used to create a sectional view of solid geometry in the graphics area. This also includes the ability to create wireframe geometry by extracting the edges currently visible in the section view. When opening Section View, the solid model displays using wireframe and the Section View viewing plane displays. You can click the arrows in the center, or the edges of the viewing plane, to manually update the viewing plane position and orientation. Also, next to the arrows in the center of the viewing plane is the normal indicator, which represents the positive direction used for modifying the viewing plane parameters.

 

To open Section View:

 

  • In the Utilities group, of the Create 2D ribbon, click Section View.

 

The parameters display in the Data Entry Manager.

The Data Entry Parameters

Selected Solids

 

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.

(Delete All) - removes all entities from the list.
The list box will list the entities currently selected for the function.

 

  • Confirm Selection - when geometry is added to the Selected Solids list, click Confirm Selection to update the section view. Using particular solids will not update the location of the section view, but will update what solids are shown with a section view.

 

Section Plane

You can select the viewing plane using one of the two following methods.

 

  • Pick a Surface - enables selection mode for you to click a solid face or surface to set the viewing plane zero location and orientation.

 

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.
The list box will list the entity currently selected for the function.

 

 

 

  • UCS - allows you to select any user coordinate system from the UCS Manager to set the viewing plane zero location and orientation. Click the down arrow to select a UCS from the list.

 

Top (X/Y) - uses the Top plane as the section view.
Front (X/Z) - uses the Front plane as the section view
Side (Y/Z) - uses the Side plane as the section view
Custom - lists any custom UCS planes the user may have created to use as the section view

 

  • Distance - sets the Z-axis position of the viewing plane in reference to the selected face or UCS zero. Type a positive or negative value to update the viewing plane. You can also update the distance by clicking the arrows that display on the viewing plane in the Workspace and then clicking a new location.

 

 

 

  • Rotation X - sets the amount of X-axis rotation for the viewing plane. When using Pick a Surface, the selected surface becomes the zero for the rotation angle. You can also update this distance by clicking either side of the viewing plane (parallel to the X-axis) in the Workspace and rotating the plane.

 

 

 

  • Rotation Y - sets the amount of Y-axis rotation for the viewing plane. When using Pick a Surface, the selected surface becomes the zero for the rotation angle. You can also update this distance by clicking either side of the viewing plane (parallel to the Y-axis) in the Workspace and rotating the plane.

 

 

Tip: After using the section view handles to change the Distance or Rotation parameters, you can then update the values in the Data Entry Manager if needed.

 

Generate Wireframe

 

  • Create Wireframe - extracts the visible edges of a solid from the current sectional viewing plane and places the wireframe entities on the Active Layer.



  • Allow Open Chains
    - With this option cleared, surfaces that do not form a closed chain will not be utilize when creating a wireframe.
    - With this option selected, wireframe will be created from any surface regardless of whether it creates a closed chain.

Example Surfaces
Allow Open Chains Allow Open Chains

 



 

 

 

  • Reset - returns the Distance, Rotation X, and Rotation Y values to zero.
  • Cancel - closes the Data Entry Manager.

Quick Steps - Section View

  1. Open the function and select the viewing plane using either Pick a Surface or by selecting a UCS from the list.

  2. Update the Distance and Rotation values using either Data Entry or by clicking the drag handles on the section view plane in the Workspace.

  3. If you want to extract the visible edges and create wireframe geometry, click Generate Wireframe.

  4. To reset the section view parameters to the selected UCS or surface, click Reset.

    This is helpful if you want to create a sectional view for another solid.

  5. To close the function, click Cancel.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview