Customizing the view triad

The view triad, shown below, is a set of three perpendicular axes that indicate the orientation of your view of the model currently being displayed. The X, Y, and Z labels correspond to the 1-, 2-, and 3-directions, respectively. As you rotate your view of the model, the triad changes to indicate the new orientation. For more information on using the rotate tool, see Rotating the view.

See Also
Using graphics display options
Customizing viewport annotations

Context:



The view triad and the 3D compass both indicate the view orientation, and they are always aligned with each other. You can directly manipulate the 3D compass orientation in the viewport, thereby changing the view of the model (see The 3D compass). The view triad acts only as a reference; it rotates with the 3D compass, but it cannot be directly manipulated.

You can use the ViewportViewport Annotation Options menu item to request or suppress the display of the triad and to control the triad's size, position, and appearance. You can also control the triad's labels, including their color and font.

  1. From the main menu bar, select ViewportViewport Annotation Options.

    The Viewport Annotation Options dialog box appears.

  2. Toggle Show triad to display or suppress the triad in the current viewport.

    When Show triad is toggled on, triad options become available.

  3. Click the Triad tab.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the triad view options.

  4. Enter the Triad size as a percentage of the viewport size. When you resize the viewport, the size of the triad changes accordingly. The minimum allowable triad size is 1% of the viewport, and the maximum allowable triad size is 50% of the viewport.
  5. Enter percentage values for the triad X and Y positions in the % Viewport X and % Viewport Y boxes, respectively.

    A value of 0 for % Viewport X moves the triad origin to the extreme left of the viewport while a value of 100 moves it to the extreme right. A value of 0 for % Viewport Y moves the triad origin to the extreme bottom of the viewport, while a value of 100 moves it to the extreme top.

  6. Choose the color of the triad labels:
    1. Click the color sample .

      Abaqus/CAE displays the Select Color dialog box.

    2. Use one of the methods in the Select Color dialog box to select a new color. For more information, see Customizing colors.
    3. Click OK to close the Select Color dialog box.

      The color sample changes to the selected color.

  7. Click the arrow next to the Labels field and select either numerical or alphabetical labeling for the triad.

    The specified style appears in the Labels field.

  8. Click Set Label Font to set the font type, size, and style using the dialog box that appears.
  9. Click Apply to implement your changes.

    Your changes are saved for the duration of the session.