Limit objects

Limit object definition

A limit object (plane, slice or box) is a visualization tool which helps to see inside an object without modifying it. Consider a limit plane as an infinite plane, everything on one side of the plane is hidden (clipped) and the other side remains visible. A slice is made of 2 limit planes. A box is made of 6 limit planes.

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Creation of a limit plane

There are many ways to create a limit plane. Launch the command Limit Plane

• View Top to clip the object in the Z direction.

• View Front to clip the object in the -Y direction.

• View Left to clip the object in the -X direction.

• View Back to clip the object in the Y direction.

• View Right to clip the object in the X direction.

• View Bottom to clip the object in the -Z direction.

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Creation of a limit slice

There are many ways to create a limit slice. Launch the command Limit Slice

• X Axis

• Y Axis

• Z Axis

to create a limit slice thanks to two seed points. Or Launch the command Quick Slice

• Quick Slice along X

• Quick Slice along Y

• Quick Slice along Z

• Quick Slice along Curve

to create a slice with a default depth of 0.2.

The depth can be edited in the limit plane edition dialog or using mouse and keyboard shortcuts (refer to, the section Limit object manipulation).

Creation of a limit box

There are many ways to create a limit box. Launch the command:

• Auto Limit Box

• Quick Limit Box

• Create Limit Box

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Edition of a limit object

To edit a limit object:

• Double-click on a limit object from the tree or the 3D scene.

• Using the contextual menu, select a limit object and right-click on it, and choose Edit.

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Activation of a limit object

To activate/deactivate a limit object:

• Using the contextual menu. Select it, right-click and go to Clipping Object. You can activate / deactivate it.

• Using the icon in the tree .

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Applying a limit object to components (Association mode)

It is possible to not apply a limit plane or slice on a specific object. To do that, click on the colored disk of an object in the tree, and choose to deactivate limit objects on it.

After that, inside the limit plane (or slice) edition dialog, you have the possibility to choose between:

• All visible (automatic): a limit object is applied to all visible components (default behavior)

• User-defined (manual): a limit object is only applied to a list of components

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Maximum number of activated limit objects

The number of limit planes or slices activated at the same time is limited to 4 (or 3 depending on your openGL version and the graphic board).

The number of limit boxes activated at the same time is limited to 1. And, in this case, the number of limit planes or slices activated at the same time is limited to 1.

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"Moving limit object" mode

The "moving limit object" mode allows to move very easily any limit object with the mouse when the mouse is over a plane (without displaying the limit object edition dialog).

In this mode, just move the mouse over a limit plane, and then drag and drop it, it will be translated along its path/normal. When the mouse is close to the frame of the plane, the user has the possibility to rotate the plane.

To activate the "moving limit object" mode allowing the plane manipulation, press CTRL+SPACE. All limit objects become red and can be manipulated by drag and drop. To exit the "moving limit object" mode, just press again CTRL+SPACE or ESC.

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Limit object manipulation

Refer to the following table to learn how to interact with a limit object in the 3D scene.