I am working on a site layout model in Solidworks. The site is some 200m × 450m in size. I currently only have a few tanks in place and a small skid of equipment. I am finding it nearly impossible to manipulate the view with my SpaceMouse Pro. The rate of zoom gets slower and slower the closer the view gets to an object, and I have to fight the tendency of the view to pan away from the object. Zooming OUT is uncontrollable... the tendency to pan over-rules any control of the zoom, and the model pans away from the view port. I have to 'fit' the model and try again. I have no problems with models of smaller size (it's not my clumsy use of the device!). I have been using the Space Mouse for many months now, and am fully used to manipulating smaller models.
Solidworks 2014 SP1.0
3DConnexion 3.17.7 (driver version 6.17.7) Firmware 4.34
Win 7 64 bit
Xeon E5-1650 @ 3.20 GHz
Any assistance would be appreciated.
'Drew
Solidworks Large Model uncontrolable zooming
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Solidworks Large Model uncontrolable zooming
If you are finding the SolidWorks navigation limited or constrained in a way you do not expect, un-check the option 'Keep in View'. This option is intended to keep the view from moving off the screen, but in some circumstances could interfere with the way you are working.[SolidWorks menu|3Dcontrol|Properties|Options]
The location of the rotation center also affects the view when zooming into a point. The Auto Rotation Center re-calculates the center of volume as the model is moved on the screen. If you turn off Auto Rotation Center, you can select your own center point using CTRL-Middle mouse button. The option is useful when it is important to have the center at a specified point rather than moving as the volume center changes. To release a selected rotation point use CTRL+MMB and click on empty space.
Another available option is 'Zoom to Cursor'. With the cursor in the desired zoom area , holding the MMB down as you zoom into the area with your 3Dconnexion device enables the fast zoom to cursor.
This SolidWorks Forum thread discusses the Zoom to Cursor option in a way that may be helpful:
https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/47500
The location of the rotation center also affects the view when zooming into a point. The Auto Rotation Center re-calculates the center of volume as the model is moved on the screen. If you turn off Auto Rotation Center, you can select your own center point using CTRL-Middle mouse button. The option is useful when it is important to have the center at a specified point rather than moving as the volume center changes. To release a selected rotation point use CTRL+MMB and click on empty space.
Another available option is 'Zoom to Cursor'. With the cursor in the desired zoom area , holding the MMB down as you zoom into the area with your 3Dconnexion device enables the fast zoom to cursor.
This SolidWorks Forum thread discusses the Zoom to Cursor option in a way that may be helpful:
https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/47500
Re: Solidworks Large Model uncontrolable zooming
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, none of the suggested options make any difference.
I had already tried all options and combinations within the 3DCOntrol-Properties-Options page before posting. "Keep In View" is probably what I would like it to do, but the view will always track across the screen no matter what I try. Zooming IN is difficult to control, up to the point where all input to the SpacePilot is necessary to try to hold the object on screen, and rate of zoom grinds to a halt. Zooming out is completely uncontrollable - the view just pans right off the screen.
There appears to be no difference at all whether "Keep in View" is selected or not.
"Zoom to Cursor" does put the centre on the object, but does not keep the object in view.
Although there is an option to turn OFF rotate, it seems "PanZoom" are a combined option on the 3DControl menu, and act uncontrollably in tandem
Regards,
'Drew
I had already tried all options and combinations within the 3DCOntrol-Properties-Options page before posting. "Keep In View" is probably what I would like it to do, but the view will always track across the screen no matter what I try. Zooming IN is difficult to control, up to the point where all input to the SpacePilot is necessary to try to hold the object on screen, and rate of zoom grinds to a halt. Zooming out is completely uncontrollable - the view just pans right off the screen.
There appears to be no difference at all whether "Keep in View" is selected or not.
"Zoom to Cursor" does put the centre on the object, but does not keep the object in view.
Although there is an option to turn OFF rotate, it seems "PanZoom" are a combined option on the 3DControl menu, and act uncontrollably in tandem
Regards,
'Drew
Re: Solidworks Large Model uncontrolable zooming
Some time later...
I was also suffering from a problem where this large model could only be manipulated with the SpacePilot in Solidworks View Setting 'Perspective'. It would not zoom out or scroll from a very close up view of a particular location on the model. I was considering this a secondary issue, as at least in 'Perspective' view I could almost work the model.
Then I re-read your first line "navigation limited or constrained in a way that you do not expect". Yes, that could be applied to the issue I had in non-perspective View Setting. "Keep In View" was currently selected (from having re-tried all options whilst in 'Perspective' View Setting). I am VERY pleased to be able to report that de-selecting "Keep In View", as you suggested, returned navigation (in 'Non-Perspective' View Setting) to a way that I would expect. "Zoom To Cursor" is a function that I was not aware of, but is beneficial when working with this (dimensionally) large model.
Many thanks for your assistance. I have re-gained full navigation control over my model in 'normal' (non-perspective) View Settings. That the model pans uncontrollably in "Perspective' View Setting is no longer an issue now that navigation is restored in Normal View Setting.
Best regards,
'Drew
I was also suffering from a problem where this large model could only be manipulated with the SpacePilot in Solidworks View Setting 'Perspective'. It would not zoom out or scroll from a very close up view of a particular location on the model. I was considering this a secondary issue, as at least in 'Perspective' view I could almost work the model.
Then I re-read your first line "navigation limited or constrained in a way that you do not expect". Yes, that could be applied to the issue I had in non-perspective View Setting. "Keep In View" was currently selected (from having re-tried all options whilst in 'Perspective' View Setting). I am VERY pleased to be able to report that de-selecting "Keep In View", as you suggested, returned navigation (in 'Non-Perspective' View Setting) to a way that I would expect. "Zoom To Cursor" is a function that I was not aware of, but is beneficial when working with this (dimensionally) large model.
Many thanks for your assistance. I have re-gained full navigation control over my model in 'normal' (non-perspective) View Settings. That the model pans uncontrollably in "Perspective' View Setting is no longer an issue now that navigation is restored in Normal View Setting.
Best regards,
'Drew