This article walks you through how to use CoLabs 3D viewer to visualize and manipulate 3D models.
The 3D Model Toolbar is displayed at the bottom of the 3D viewer any time you have a 3D file open.
The 3D model toolbar includes the following tools:
Orbit
Rotates the model. There are two ways to orbit the model:
By default, holding down left-click on your mouse will always orbit the model. You might find this quicker than selecting the orbit icon every time.
Click the orbit icon in the toolbar. Once selected, holding down left-click on your mouse will orbit the model.
Pan
Scrolls the part or assembly in the Viewer. There are two ways to pan the model:
By default, holding down right-click on your mouse will always pan the model. You might find this quicker than selecting the pan icon every time.
Click the pan icon in the toolbar. Once selected, holding down left-click on your mouse will pan the model.
Walk
Enables first-person walk through mode when the drawing is under review for markup. This tool allows users to navigate through the model through a point of view mode by clicking and dragging towards a direction.
Reset camera
Resets the model to the 'home' view set in the CAD tool before importing to CoLab.
View mode
Allows you to modify the model view’s shading or lines.
Box select
Selects a grouping of parts within the 3D model. The box select tool is a quick way to highlight multiple parts at once. With the box select tool active, dragging your mouse left to right highlights all the parts within the box, and dragging your mouse right to left highlights all the parts that the box is touching.
Measurement tools
Allow you to measure the distance between faces, edges, radius, centre to centre, or the angle between faces on a 3D model.
Cutting Plane Tools
Allow you to section the model in the X, Y, and Z plane and toggle cutting planes on and off.
Explode
Allows you to create an exploded view of the model.
Model tree
Shows you sub-assemblies and parts, with a properties menu.
Save view
Allows you to save your current model view to return to or for others to view. These are accessible from the Model Browser.
Settings
Adjust options for navigation, measurement, cutting plane colours, walk mode, and drawings.
BOM
Shows you the properties of the sub-assemblies and parts.