Imported DFX. Where are the the different viewports

[embalse]

I am new to Draftsight and am having difficulty understanding where the different viewports are.

When I import a dfx model in the sheet view it shows the Top view.

Where are the other views, Bottom, Right, Left,Front and Back?

Thanks

 

[tr1ntx]

DraftSight is a 2D program. You may have to construct your other views. (I think you can change the UCS like you can in AutoCAD LT and thereby construct 3D objects, though I have never tried it in DraftSight. Even if you can, it is limited in how it can handle them.)

 

[embalse]

Thanks for the confirmation. I will stop trying to do something I cannot do.
I would have thought it was a basic principle of a CAD program to see 4 views of a model?
Sadly will have to look at AutoCad again.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I think of Draftsight as a 3D program that's been artificially limited to 2D-ish.

I have been able to generate simple 3D blocks by extruding polygons in model space. I cannot do Boolean operations on them, like subtracting a cylinder from a block. I cannot extrude a region, e.g. a square with an inscribed circle, to produce a block with a hole through it.

I have not been able to rotate the PS viewports to see a side of the 3D model other than what the default is, e.g. top view.

I haven't tried using it, but the draw menu includes a 3D polyline selection.

I.e., it's just good enough at 3D to be annoying.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Ericsonbirdman]

Hey guys there is actually a lot of things hidden in Draftsight if you know where to find them.
In this case, you are in luck. It is possible to change the view in a number of different ways.
1. Right mouse click on the menu bar > Hover over MAIN > Select View
2. Type in the command VIEWS
3. Typing in the command ROTATE3D will work, but is kind of clunky.
4. Typing in the command 3DO or ROLLVIEW works much better than the last command.

5. Typing in the command RENDER will pull up a seperate window which is handy to look at the model.
5.a. There are also a few lighting commands you can use for rendering.

If you are looking for a command that you think should be in the program, but can't seem to find, then try looking in these places:
1. Tools > Customize Interface > Commands
2. Tools > Options > User Preferences > Aliases
The second place has a lot of great keyboard shortcuts for commands.

 

[Ericsonbirdman]

PS. Holding down shift and clicking in a circle while using the 3DO command will allow you to rotate about a single axis.