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2023-12-19

Graphics Control

Mouse

The mouse functions follow the Windows standards: When you click a structure or load object with the left mouse button, you select it. Double-click the object to open its edit dialog box. You can use this functionality not only for the graphic objects in the work window, but also for the object entries in the navigator.

When holding down the Ctrl key, you can select several objects by clicking one after the other. A plus symbol appears on the pointer. You can remove an object from the selection by holding down the Shift key. Accordingly, a minus symbol appears on the pointer.

Tip

Selected objects can be moved in the graphics using the drag-and-drop function, or also copied by holding down the Ctrl key.

Right-click an object to open its shortcut menu. It offers object-related commands and functions (see the image Shortcut Menu of a Node ). Shortcut menus are not only available in the graphics, but also in the navigator and tables. Moreover, you can open a zoom window by holding down the right mouse button to enlarge a certain window area (corresponds to the "Zoom with Window" function in RFEM 5).

When you scroll with the mouse wheel, you maximize or minimize the displayed model. The current pointer position serves as the center of the zoom area. This also works with the touchpad by moving two fingers apart or together, or moving two adjacent fingers up or down.

With the pressed scroll wheel, you can move the model. When you additionally hold down the Ctrl key, you can rotate the model's view. Rotating is also possible by using the scroll wheel and holding down the right mouse button.

Tip

The view can also be rotated about a specific node: Select the node, then hold down the Alt key. You can now rotate the model around the node by holding down the scroll key.

ViewCube

At the top right of the workspace, you can see a ViewCube. By clicking or rotating the cube (hold down the left mouse key while moving the pointer), you can control the view.

Tip

Click with the middle mouse button (scroll wheel) on the cube to restore the axonometric default view.

View Buttons

It is easy to switch quickly between the default views by using the functions in the menu View → Select View and the assigned buttons in the toolbar.

The buttons have the following functions:

Button Function
Show Whole Model Cancel the zoomed view and show the entire model
Axonometric View Show the model in an axonometric view
View in Viewpoint Show the model in a view angle of a user-defined viewpoint
Perspective Show the model in a perspective view
X View Show the model view in the X-direction
View Opposite to Y Direction Show the model view in the opposite Y-direction
View in Z Show the model view in the Z-direction
View Opposite to X Direction Show the model view in the opposite X-direction

Shortcut

You can also use the keyboard to control the graphics. The shortcuts are available in the "Customize" dialog box, which you can open by selecting Customize Menus and Toolbars in the View menu. Then, select the View category.

Tip

Use the Reset to Default Values button to set the default keyboard shortcuts.

Rendering

There are several ways to graphically represent the model. Use the list button to quickly switch between the three basic display types.

The functions of the buttons are as follows:

Button Function
Wireframe Model Displays a line model in which surfaces are indicated by dashed lines within the boundary lines
Transparent Model Displays the rendered model in a transparent view with member cross-sections and surfaces without thickness
Solid Model Displays the rendered model as a solid model with filled cross-sections and surfaces where it is not possible to "reach through" to make selections

You can specify detailed settings for the display of structural objects and loads in the Navigator – Display under the Rendering category.