Instant3D Live Section Planes

Live Section Planes let you dynamically section models using any plane.

Use Live Section Planes as an analysis tool to approach design tasks from different perspectives. You can display multiple Live Section Planes persistently and they are automatically saved with the model.

To toggle the display of Live Section Planes, click View > Hide/Show > Live Section Planes.

Live Section Planes are non-modal. You can add materials, then add features, or use other Instant3D functionality while using Live Section Planes. Video: Using Live Section Planes

To use Live Section Planes:

  1. Select a planar face or a plane, right-click and select Live Section Plane.
    The plane size is based on the selected face. You can resize the plane by dragging its handles. The Live Section Planes folder, which stores all Live Section Planes, appears in the FeatureManager design tree.

  2. In the Live Section Planes folder, select the plane and rename it to LSP1.
  3. Click anywhere in the graphics area.
    The Live Section Plane is deactivated and the plane handles disappear. The plane triad also disappears.
  4. Right-click the plane's border and select Fit to Part.
    The plane size increases so it can section the entire body.

    Other shortcut menu items allow you to reset the Live Section Plane to its original state or hide it.
  5. Right-click the plane's border again and select Show Triad.
  6. Drag the triad handle to dynamically section the model.
    The ruler appears for precise measurements.

    Non-editable edges use a different color from editable edges. You cannot customize these colors.

  7. At any point, you can stop dragging the Live Section Plane, select a section contour to display a ruler, then modify that entity's model geometry.

    To measure entities, click Tools > Evaluate > Measure and select the entity.

  8. You can use the triad rings to rotate the Live Section Plane to section the model from different angles. A protractor lets you set precise angles.

  9. Right-click LSP1 in the graphics area and click Hide menu_Show.gif.
    The icons in the Live Section Planes folder reflect the displayed state of the planes. You can also click Hide Triad to temporarily hide the triad.
Example shows how to drag a Live Section Plane, modify a section contour, and rotate the Live Section Plane. Video: Modifying Features Using a Live Section Plane