Views and Cameras

Views and Cameras

Save custom perspectives of the model for quick reference, presentations, and comparative analysis.

What is a saved view?

A view is a “photograph” of the camera that includes:

• Camera position - Where the viewpoint is
• Rotation angle - Where it’s looking
• Zoom level - How close/far you are
• Mode - Perspective or Orthographic
• Visibility state - Which elements are visible
• Active measurements - Measurements and sections present

Predefined views

The system includes standard views ready to use:

Orthographic views (Technical)

• Plan (Top) - View from above
• Front elevation (Front) - View from front
• Side elevation (Left/Right) - View from sides
• Bottom view (Bottom) - View from below

Usage: Technical analysis, precise measurements, documentation.

Perspective views (Presentation)

• Isometric (Iso) - 45-45 angle for good 3D understanding
• General perspective (General) - Balanced view of complete model
• Close-up (Close-up) - Magnified detail

Usage: Presentations, general visualization, impactful captures.

Create custom view

Step by step

1. Navigate to desired position

   • Rotate, pan, and zoom to find perfect view
   • Ensure visible elements are correct

2. Open views menu

   • Look for quick views option in interface
   • Or access from side panel

3. Save current view

   • Click “Save view” or ”+”
   • Dialog opens for name input

4. Assign descriptive name

   • Examples: “Section A-A”, “Floor 1 Plan”, “Stair Detail”
   • Use short but clear names

5. Confirm

   • View saves immediately
   • Appears in available views list

Use saved views

Load a view

1. Open quick views panel
2. Click the view you want to load
3. Camera moves automatically to that position
4. All state (visibility, measurements, etc.) restores

Note: Change is instant, ideal for navigating complex analysis.

Delete a view

1. Find view in list
2. Right click → Delete
3. Or find trash icon (🗑️)
4. View is deleted permanently

Edit a view

Some views can be edited:

1. Load the view
2. Make changes (rotation, zoom, visibility)
3. Click “Update view”
4. Changes save over original view

Compare views

Before/After views

Create two views with different visibility states:

1. Before: Complete original model
2. After: With hidden elements, sections, measurements

Alternate between them to see changes clearly.

Multi-angle views

Save 4 views from 4 sides:

• Front view
• Right side view
• Back view
• Left side view

Navigate between them for 360° analysis.

Disciplinary comparison

Create views for each discipline:

• View Architecture (all categories)
• View Structure (structure only)
• View MEP (installations only)
• View Integrated (all combined)

Alternate to see how systems interact.

Visualization modes

Perspective (3D natural)

• Provides visual depth
• Ideal for exploration and presentations
• Less precise for technical measurements

When to use:

• Presentations
• General exploration
• “Render” type views

Orthographic (Technical)

• No perspective distortion
• Perfect for precise measurements
• Ideal for technical drawings

When to use:

• Technical analysis
• Dimensional measurements
• Official documentation
• Precise coordinates

Change mode

In any view, you can switch mode:

1. Find projection selector (perspective ↔ orthographic)
2. Click to change
3. View updates but position stays

Note: If you save a view, mode saves too.

Capture views

To document an important view:

Screenshot

1. Position yourself in desired view
2. Make sure everything looks good - Zoom, visibility, angle
3. Press PrtScn or Cmd+Shift+3 (depends on OS)
4. Save image with descriptive name

Best practices

• Clear perspective - Choose angles showing details well
• Include references - Measurements, labels that provide context
• Adequate contrast - Avoid backgrounds confusing elements
• High resolution - Use appropriate zoom for presentations
• Visually clean - Hide unnecessary elements

Views for collaboration

Presentation views

Create views to share with team:

1. General - Project context
2. Details - Complex or critical zones
3. Issues - Coordination-needed areas
4. Solutions - Final result showing

Meeting views

Prepare views for discussions:

• Views of each discipline
• General integrated view
• Critical intersection details
• Before/after comparatives

Frequent use cases

Structural analysis

1. Plan view - Column distribution
2. Elevation view - Heights and loads
3. Connection detail - Critical zones
4. Isometric - 3D understanding

MEP coordination

1. Architecture view - Context
2. MEP view - Routes
3. Combined view - Conflicts
4. Conflict detail - Zoomed problem

Executive presentation

1. Isometric render - Impactful
2. General plan - Context
3. Main elevation - Facade
4. Details - Special features

View tips

• Name descriptively - E.g.: “Transverse Section North Wing”
• Group by topic - Analysis views, presentation views
• Document changes - Save versions if model changes
• Use colors - If available, color code elements in key views
• Export for reports - View captures can be included in reports

Useful shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Previous view	Left arrow
Next view	Right arrow
Zoom to all	Ctrl+0 (zero)
Center model	Click target button
Load first view	Press number 1

Common issues

Can’t find saved view

Solutions:

• Look in views panel - might be in another category
• Name might be different than expected
• Try scrolling views list
• May have been accidentally deleted

Saved view doesn’t restore correctly

Solutions:

• Reset view and save again
• Verify mode is correct
• Measurements might need recalculating
• Delete and create new view

Want to copy a view

Solutions:

• Load view you want to copy
• Create new view with different name (same state)
• Later you can modify either independently

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Views are essential for efficiently working with complex BIM models and communicating findings.