Figure 40 Region selection in model data
The
Slice 3D Data
tool can be used to create more precise region selections. It actually ‘slices’
the triangles to match your selection. This function is described in section 12.2.
Note: Once you have begun selecting a region do not move the model (by
releasing
Ctrl
and dragging the mouse) until it is completed. If you move the
model the region will be incorrect and you will need to undo it and begin again.
A selected data region can be used in several ways. It can be deleted by picking
Delete Selected
Data
from the Edit menu. Selected regions can also be saved as separate files or used in other
functions such as
Create Plane
from Region
which is described next. You can also unselect a
region by choosing
Unselect Data in Window
from the Select menu.
WARNING! Deleting Selected Data actually changes the data – not the
scene file.
This can be very useful – to delete a part of scene that’s outside the
area of interest, for example. However, care should be taken that you are not
changing the original data or any file you wish to keep unchanged. The actual
change does not happen until you save the data file. If you choose to exit the
scene the program will give you three choices for the file whose data has been
changed: Save File (which will overwrite the data file in question), Discard
Changes, or Cancel Close.
Alternatively, you can choose
Save File As
from the File menu and give the
edited file a new name. This will create a new file in the scene without changing
the original.
Adding to or Subtracting from a Selection
If you have one region selected, and begin to select a new region, the first region will be
unselected. However, if you would like to select an additional region, in effect adding to the
first selection, use
Ctrl
-
Shift
instead of just
Ctrl
. (A small ‘+’ sign will appear next to the
cursor.) This will keep the original selection, and add to it. The regions need not be contiguous.
Similarly, if you would like to unselect a part of a selection, use
Ctrl
-
Alt
(a small ‘-’ sign will
appear) and any region you outline will be unselected.
DeltaSphere-3000 3D Scene Digitizer
58
9/23/05
