This article describes the 3D modern view in Ansys Lumerical FDTD™ and Ansys Lumerical Multiphysics™. This viewer allows for easy visualization and exploration of 3D models.
Note: The object visibility functionalities below are not available in Multiphysics.
Changing Viewport
In Multiphysics, the modern view is the only available viewer.
In FDTD, the modern view can be toggled on using the “Modern” button in the “Viewport” group of the “View” tab.
Perspective View Toolbar
This section will describe the functions for each of the tools in the perspective view toolbar, found near the top of the viewport window.
Basic Actions
Select Objects (S)
The select mode is the only mode that allows you to select a geometry or simulation object using the left mouse button. Click on a geometry to select it or click on the edge of a simulation object to select it. Once a geometry is selected, its color changes to a solid pink. Once a simulation object is selected, its edges become thicker.
Secondary Actions
- Pan: Pan the 3D view by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button + Ctrl.
- Orbit: Orbit: Orbit the 3D geometry by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button.
- Zoom: The scroll wheel on the mouse can be used to zoom in and out of the 3D view. or also clicking and holding the right mouse button + Shift and then moving mouse.
Zoom (Z)
The zoom mode offers multiple zoom options.
The scroll wheel on the mouse can be used to zoom in and out of the 3D view.
Left click on the mouse and drag it to create a box. Once the box covers the desired area release the mouse button to zoom into that area.
Secondary Actions
- Pan: Pan the 3D view by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button + Ctrl.
- Orbit: Orbit the 3D geometry by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button.
Pan (P)
The pan mode allows you to pan the 3D view by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the left mouse button.
Secondary Actions
- Orbit: Orbit: Orbit the 3D geometry by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button.
- Zoom: The scroll wheel on the mouse can be used to zoom in and out of the 3D view. or also clicking and holding the right mouse button + Shift and then moving mouse.
Orbit (O)
The orbit mode allows you to orbit the 3D geometry by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the left mouse button.
Secondary Actions
- Pan: Pan the 3D view by moving the mouse while clicking and holding the right mouse button + Ctrl.
- Zoom: The scroll wheel on the mouse can be used to zoom in and out of the 3D view. or also clicking and holding the right mouse button + Shift and then moving mouse.
Ruler (R)
Once the ruler mode is selected, a distance measurement can be made by pressing the left mouse button and then dragging the mouse. A non-permanent triangle is drawn between the locations where the mouse button was pressed (A) and released (B). The distances are given in the lower left-hand corner of the CAD window (see the image below). The dx and dy fields correspond to the horizontal and vertical distance between A and B, and the AB field corresponds to the length of the hypotenuse.
Help and Settings
Options
Changes various options for the modern viewport:
- Zoom Independent Glyphs: Toggles whether non-spatial glyphs such as vector and axis arrows changes size in relation to the zoom level. This option does not affect spatial glyphs such as the gaussian bell shape.
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Glyph Scale: Sets the size for non-spatial glyphs.
Help(H)
Display quick references on how other navigation tools can be used.
Zoom Actions
Zoom Extent (X)
The zoom extent button on the mouse mode toolbar can be used to zoom in on any selected object(s). In case of structure or layout groups, the zoomed view will contain all the objects inside the group.
Zoom In (Ctrl + +)
This tool incrementally zooms into the center of the current view, regardless of the selected object.
Zoom Out (Ctrl + -)
This tool incrementally zooms out from the center of the current view, regardless of the selected object.
View Modes
Hidden line / Shaded / Wireframe
There are three different view modes to render the geometrical structure:
|
Hidden line |
Shaded |
Wireframe |
Object Visibility
You can use the visibility options to toggle on and off objects in the viewport for the ease of viewing. Regardless of what is toggled on, the selected object will always remain visible.
Note: All tools other than “Solver Objects Always on Top” is only available in Ansys Lumerical FDTD™
Solver Objects Always on Top
This allows the simulation (solver) objects to be seen even through opaque geometries. This option allows viewing the simulation objects even if they lie inside a geometry. Disabling this option will only show simulation objects (or parts of them) that are outside of opaque geometric objects. This also controls whether the origin of the CAD environment is rendered on top.
Structures Visibility 
Turn on to display all geometries, turn off to hide all geometries except for selected object(s).
Simulation Region, Meshes, and Grid Attribute Visibility 
Turn on to display simulation regions, meshes, and grid attributes. Turn off to hide these objects except for the selected object(s).
Sources Visibility 
Turn on to display all sources. Turn off to hide sources except for those selected.
Monitors Visibility 
Turn on to display all monitors. Turn off to hide monitors except for those selected.
Camera Presets
This tool allows you to access a variety of camera presets for different angles of the model.
Clipping Planes
You can use this function to check the cross section of a structure. To active this view, click the clipping plane button, then the clipping plane will be active. While the clipping plane is active, you can hold Ctrl+Shift and drag using the right mouse button to adjust the position of the plane. To change the axis of the clipping plane, hold Shift, and double click the right mouse button. When clicking on the clipping plane button, you can select the axis for the clipping plane. You can also switch the axis while using the clipping plane by holding Shift and double click the right mouse button inside the clipping plane.