Using Backdrop Plans

3D Canvas provides a way to use plans as an aid to modelling. These Backdrop Plans can be displayed instead of 3D Canvas' standard grid.

To select a plan, click the side view, the top view, or the front view buttons on the Primary Toolbar.

Each plan you use for your model must be to the same proportions. i.e. the pixel height and width of the object on the plan must match the height and width on all other plans. For example, in the above plan the height of the image is 180 pixels. This means that the front view height must be 180 pixels as well.

In addition, the number of pixels of white space on the bottom of the side and front view plans must be the same. For example there are 60 pixels of white space on the bottom of the above plan. This means that the front view must have 60 pixels of white space on the bottom of its plan.

If you use top and front view plans, you must ensure that the same number of pixels of white space exists on the left of each plan.

Once you have chosen a plan using , you need to click and drag on the plan image to draw a line of a known length. Once you have drawn the line enter its length in real world units (meters for example). 3D Canvas will then scale the image appropriately. If your model is in feet and inches, you can change the units used by your model by selecting Options from the Tools Menu.

Once you have your plans ready, select backdrop plan from the Grid Options on the Primary Toolbar.

used to select a backdrop plan.

used to reset the view to defaults.

Origin is used to specify a specific origin position of the drawn line on the image.

End is used to specify a specific end position of the drawn line on the image.