You can create and modify 3D geometry regardless of which visual style is active. Visual style options such as the X-Ray effect enable you to see through the model and you can snap to points on inside/obscured objects. For example, if I want to create an array of box-shaped ribs on the inside of the air hockey paddle, I can draw them directly in the model viewing and snapping to key points.
Just because I *can* do it, however, doesn’t mean I will. It might save a few steps by drawing geometry on the inside of a model but the mental energy it requires may not be worth it. Unless I’m performing a few quick picks and I’m very confident about my selection/pick points, I prefer to move geometry out where I can visualize it more easily. For example, I’ll move the bottom plate of the air hockey paddle away from the rest of the model. I could be sloppy and move it anywhere in 3D space, but in order to take advantage of existing geometry, I’ll be a more careful about how I move it.
First, I’ll turn off the X-Ray effect and orbit the model so that I’m looking at it from below. I could select the plate from an upper viewpoint with a strategic window selection but this way requires less brain power. I could use sever different tools for moving the plate but I’ll just use the plain old MOVE command. I’ll select anywhere in space (being careful not to snap to any objects) to specify the base point. Then I’ll drag the cursor along the X or Y axis (with polar tracking turned on) and pick to specify the second point (again being careful not to snap to any objects). Isn’t this exactly what you do with the MOVE command in 2D design? We just happen to be looking at the model from a 3D viewpoint.
As long as you were careful not to snap to existing geometry, you can be assured that the cylinder has not moved along the Z-axis. Why is that important? Because we’re eventually going to use the Z-values from both of our parts (the plate and the main part of the paddle) when we draw the box ribs.
Key Concept:
- Using the MOVE command with polar tracking.
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