The Component Menu

The Component pop-up menu is displayed when you right-click on the scene. It provides a number of functions relating to camera position, editing, component properties etc.

Operation Shortcuts

If you right-click on a shape you will be provided with shortcuts to common operations in addition to the standard menu items. The operations provided will depend on the clicked upon item. See Applying Operations for more information on operations.

Selection Options

If you right-click on a shape you will be provided with a list of selection options. This list will vary depending on the tool you are using. If you are using the Component Selection Tool you will be given the option to select a group or a group hierarchy. if you are using the Point/Edge/Face Selection tool you will be provided with options to grow your selection, select by direction, select by material etc.

The Edge Loop option is available when you right-click on an edge. It attempts to select a group of linked edges that travel around the selected shape. It will stop if it sees a Y junction, or an angle of 90 degrees or higher between edges.

Look

At Scene

Positions the view camera so that it looks at the scene.

At Selection

Positions the view camera so that it looks at the selected component.

With Selection

Positions the view camera so that it looks from the position of the selected component along its orientation.

View

Type

Allows you to select either Perspective or Orthographic for the selected view panel.

Draw

Smooth

Draws all shapes using smooth rendering

Flat

Draws all shapes using flat rendering.

Solid Outline

Draws all shapes using flat rendering, but also draws the edges of the faces that make up the shape.

Wireframe

Draws only the edges that make up the shape.

Cartoon

Draws in a simulated cartoon style.

Grid

Solid

Draws a solid grid.

Backdrop

Replaces the grid with a backdrop plan.

Translucent

Draws a translucent grid.

Wireframe

Draws a wireframe grid.

Camera

Allows you to select whether the scene is viewed through the Animation Camera which is used to record animations or the Layout Camera which is used for scene layout.

Grouping

Make Child

Moves the selected scene components to a new group that is a child of the first selected component.

Ungroup

Moves the selected scene components to their own groups in the scene hierarchy.

Group

Moves the selected scene components to the group of the first selected component.

Edit

Copy

Copies the selected scene component to the clipboard.

Cut

Cuts the selected scene component to the clipboard.

Paste

Pastes the scene component currently in the clipboard onto the scene. If a component is active, this new component will become a child of the selected component.

Delete

Deletes the selected scene component.

Add to Component Library

Adds the selected shapes to the currently selected component library.

Export Selection

Exports the selected shape to a 3D Canvas shape File (3DO).

Users of 3D Canvas Plus/Pro can also export the selected shape to a DirectX file (X).

Show Only

Hides all scene shapes, bones, lights, cameras and skins, except those currently selected.

Properties

Many component properties are also available via this menu. See Component Properties for more information on their use.