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Visualization & Display

Commands for controlling visualization options, display settings, window management, and view enhancements. These commands appear primarily in the Home ribbon tab's Options and Windows panels, with some in Interpretations and Map View tabs.

Display Options​

Auto Highlight​

Ribbon button: Auto Highlight Tooltip Automatically highlight objects on mouse hover.

What it does Toggles automatic highlighting of objects as you move the cursor over them in the 3D view. When enabled, objects under the cursor are temporarily highlighted (typically with a distinct colour or outline) without clicking, providing visual feedback about which object would be selected if clicked. Useful for identifying objects in dense scenes.

When to use it

  • Identifying objects in cluttered scenes
  • Previewing which object will be selected before clicking
  • Visual feedback during navigation
  • Locating specific objects among many similar items
  • Teaching or demonstrations

Notes

Performance Impact

Auto highlighting performs real-time object picking on mouse movement, which may impact performance in very complex scenes (millions of triangles, large point clouds). Disable if navigation feels sluggish.

Highlighting typically shows object boundaries, bounding boxes, or changes object colour temporarily. The effect disappears when the cursor moves away from the object.

Highlight BBox​

Ribbon button: Highlight BBox Tooltip Display bounding boxes around selected objects.

What it does Toggles display of bounding boxes (rectangular boxes enclosing objects' full extents) around selected objects. Bounding boxes show the XYZ limits of objects in axis-aligned orientation, providing quick visual reference for object size and position. Boxes are typically drawn as wireframe outlines.

When to use it

  • Visualizing object extents and spatial relationships
  • Identifying object sizes quickly
  • Checking object positions relative to coordinate axes
  • Quality control (objects at unexpected locations show obvious bbox positions)
  • Understanding object overlap or separation

Notes Bounding boxes are axis-aligned (edges parallel to X, Y, Z axes), not oriented to object geometry. They always enclose the entire object, which can result in large boxes for diagonally oriented objects. Boxes update automatically if objects are transformed.

Show Labels​

Ribbon button: Show Labels Tooltip Toggle display of object labels and annotations.

What it does Toggles visibility of text labels associated with objects, measurements, annotations, and features. Labels typically show object names, measurement values, coordinate values, or custom text annotations. When disabled, labels are hidden but the objects they label remain visible. Useful for reducing visual clutter or creating label-free views for export.

When to use it

  • Reducing visual clutter in label-heavy scenes
  • Creating clean views for screenshots or presentations
  • Toggling between annotated and unannotated views
  • Focusing on visual data without text distractions
  • Printing or exporting views without labels

Notes

Selective Display

Some applications allow selective label display (e.g., show only measurement labels, hide object name labels). Check display settings for granular control if all-or-nothing toggling is too coarse.

Labels may overlap or occlude data in dense scenes. Consider hiding labels when data visibility is more important than identification.

Backface Culling​

Ribbon button: Backface Culling Tooltip Hide back-facing triangles for performance and clarity.

What it does Toggles backface culling, which hides triangles facing away from the camera (back-facing triangles). Only front-facing triangles are rendered, improving performance and reducing visual clutter from internal geometry. Backface culling assumes closed meshes (watertight) where interior faces shouldn't be visible. Improves rendering speed for large meshes.

When to use it

  • Improving rendering performance for large meshes
  • Hiding interior geometry in closed meshes
  • Reducing visual confusion from seeing "inside" objects
  • Standard visualization of solid objects
  • Scenes with many closed meshes (buildings, geological bodies)

Notes

Open Meshes

Backface culling can make open meshes appear incomplete - triangles facing away disappear, creating "holes". Disable backface culling for open meshes, single-sided surfaces, or when you need to see both sides of geometry (e.g., viewing inside caves, buildings).

Backface culling is standard for solid object visualization but inappropriate for planar surfaces (geological cross-sections, orthopanels) viewed from both sides.

Base Plane​

Ribbon button: Base Plane Tooltip Display reference base plane (ground plane) in 3D view.

What it does Toggles display of a reference base plane (ground plane, horizontal reference plane) in the 3D view. The base plane is typically a large horizontal grid at a specified elevation (e.g., Z=0, mean sea level, or model base). Provides visual reference for horizontal, scale, and spatial orientation. Often displayed as a grid with subtle lines.

When to use it

  • Providing horizontal reference and scale
  • Orienting viewers to "ground" or "up" direction
  • Visualizing elevation relative to reference datum
  • Presentations and teaching
  • Preventing disorientation in sparse scenes

Notes Base plane elevation may be configurable (Z=0, minimum model elevation, mean sea level, etc.). Grid spacing typically adjusts to view scale. The base plane is purely visual reference - it doesn't affect data or measurements. Disable for uncluttered views or when horizontal reference isn't needed.

Compass​

Ribbon button: Compass Tooltip Display compass rose showing north direction and orientation.

What it does Toggles display of a compass rose (directional indicator) showing cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) relative to the current view orientation. The compass typically appears as an overlay in a corner of the view and rotates as you rotate the view, always indicating north direction. Essential for georeferenced models to maintain orientation awareness.

When to use it

  • Maintaining orientation awareness in georeferenced models
  • Identifying north direction for field comparison
  • Presentations showing geographic orientation
  • Navigation in large models where orientation can be lost
  • Documenting view direction for screenshots

Notes

Geographic North

The compass indicates the model's north direction (typically +Y axis for georeferenced models). This may be true north, magnetic north, or grid north depending on the coordinate system. For non-georeferenced models, "north" is arbitrary (typically +Y axis).

Compass typically shows view azimuth and may include tilt/inclination indicators. Some implementations allow clicking compass to quickly orient to cardinal directions.

Ribbon button: Navigator Tooltip Display 3D navigation cube for quick view orientation.

What it does Toggles display of the navigation cube (3D orientation gizmo, ViewCube), an interactive 3D widget showing the current view orientation. The cube has labeled faces (Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom), edges, and corners that can be clicked to instantly orient the view to those directions. Provides both orientation feedback and quick navigation controls.

When to use it

  • Quick orientation to standard views (top, front, side)
  • Visual feedback of current view orientation
  • Rapid navigation between standard viewpoints
  • Training new users on 3D navigation
  • Maintaining orientation awareness during exploration

Notes Clicking cube faces orients the view perpendicular to that face (e.g., clicking "Top" gives a plan view from above). Clicking edges or corners gives oblique views. The cube rotates in sync with the view, providing real-time orientation feedback. Particularly useful when combined with orthographic projection for engineering/technical views.

Full Screen​

Ribbon button: Full Screen (duplicate from Navigation section) Tooltip Toggle full-screen mode for immersive viewing.

What it does Expands the 3D view to fill the entire screen, hiding the ribbon, project tree, and window decorations. Maximizes viewing area for presentations, detailed examination, or immersive exploration. Press Esc or F11 to exit full-screen mode.

When to use it

  • Presentations and demonstrations
  • Maximizing view area for detailed work
  • Immersive exploration of large models
  • Screenshot capture without UI elements
  • Public displays or kiosks

Notes Full-screen mode hides UI but keyboard shortcuts remain active. Exit full-screen to access ribbon commands or panels. Some systems use Alt+Enter instead of F11 for full-screen toggle.

Record Movie​

Ribbon button: Record Movie Tooltip Capture animated movie of 3D view navigation.

What it does Activates movie recording mode to capture the 3D view as a video file. Records all navigation, object changes, and animations as they appear in the view. Recording continues until stopped, creating a movie file (typically MP4, AVI, or WMV format) suitable for presentations, training, or documentation. Frame rate and resolution are typically configurable.

When to use it

  • Creating presentation videos of 3D models
  • Recording flythrough tours or navigation paths
  • Documenting workflows or demonstrations
  • Creating training materials
  • Animated figures for publications or reports

Notes

File Size

Movies can be very large, especially at high resolution or long duration. A 1080p movie at 30fps uses ~3-5 MB per second. Ensure adequate disk space before recording long movies.

Movie quality (resolution, frame rate, codec) affects both file size and playback quality. Higher quality requires more disk space and processing power during recording. Consider reducing frame rate or resolution for long recordings or lower-powered systems.

Window Management​

Show All Tabs / Project Explorer​

Ribbon button: Project Explorer / Show All Tabs Tooltip Display the project explorer panel with all data tabs.

What it does Toggles visibility of the project explorer panel, which contains multiple tabs for organizing project content (Data, Interpretations, Imagery, Collections, Properties, etc.). The project explorer is the primary organizational UI, showing hierarchical trees of objects, layers, and data. Hiding it maximizes the 3D view area; showing it provides access to project organization and selection.

When to use it

  • Accessing project data and organization
  • Selecting objects from the project tree
  • Managing visibility and properties of objects
  • Standard workflow for most tasks
  • Restoring project explorer if accidentally hidden

Notes The project explorer typically docks to the side of the main window. It can be resized, moved, or hidden. Individual tabs (Data, Interpretations, etc.) can often be shown/hidden independently - see specific tab toggles below.

Data Tab / Interpretations Tab / Imagery Tab​

Ribbon buttons: Data Tab, Interpretations Tab, Collections Tab, Charts Tab, Properties Tab, VFT Tab, Web Tab, Chat Tab Tooltip Show specific project explorer tab.

What it does Shows the specified tab within the project explorer panel:

  • Data Tab: Raw data (point clouds, meshes, photographs, voxel models)
  • Interpretations Tab: Interpreted features (polylines, faults, geobodies, structural measurements)
  • Collections Tab: Grouped collections of objects for batch operations
  • Charts Tab: Graphical displays (stereonets, rose diagrams, histograms)
  • Properties Tab: Object properties and attributes for selected objects
  • VFT Tab: Virtual Field Trip management and waypoints
  • Web Tab: Integrated web browser
  • Chat Tab: LLM chat interface for AI assistance

Each tab provides specific functionality - switch tabs to access different project aspects.

When to use it

  • Organizing workflow by data type (raw data vs interpretations)
  • Accessing specific functionality (stereonets in Charts, properties editing)
  • Switching between different project views
  • Keeping related objects grouped (Collections)

Notes

Tab Organization

Tabs help organize complex projects with many objects. Use Data for raw imported data, Interpretations for digitized features, Collections for grouping related objects. This separation maintains clarity as projects grow.

Multiple tabs can often be visible simultaneously if the project explorer is wide enough, or tabs can be torn off as separate floating windows.

Reset Layout​

Ribbon button: Reset Layout Tooltip Reset window layout to default configuration.

What it does Resets all window panels, tabs, and UI layout to the default configuration. This restores the standard arrangement of project explorer, properties panels, 3D view, and other windows if they've been moved, resized, hidden, or rearranged. Useful for recovering from accidental UI changes or returning to a known configuration.

When to use it

  • Recovering from accidentally hidden or misplaced panels
  • Returning to standard layout after custom configurations
  • Resetting after screen resolution changes
  • Training scenarios where consistent layout is needed
  • Fixing UI issues or glitches

Notes Reset layout doesn't affect project data, only UI arrangement. Custom panel arrangements are lost - save layouts if you want to preserve custom configurations before resetting. The default layout typically shows project explorer on the left, 3D view in the centre, and properties on the right.

New 3D Model Window​

Ribbon button: 3D Model Window Tooltip Open additional 3D view window for simultaneous viewpoints.

What it does Opens a new 3D view window showing the same project data as the main view. Multiple 3D windows can display different viewpoints, zoom levels, or rendering settings simultaneously on the same data. Useful for comparing views from different angles, examining overall context while zoomed into details, or multi-monitor workflows.

When to use it

  • Viewing models from multiple angles simultaneously
  • Comparing different rendering settings (e.g., textured vs wireframe)
  • Multi-monitor setups with separate views on each monitor
  • Maintaining context view while zooming into details
  • Presenting to multiple screens

Notes

Window Synchronization

Multiple 3D windows can be synchronized (same camera) or independent (different cameras). Independent windows allow examining different viewpoints; synchronized windows allow comparing rendering settings from the same viewpoint.

Each window has independent camera control unless synchronized. Changes to data (adding/deleting objects, transforms) affect all windows since they show the same project.

Split 3D View​

Ribbon button: Split 3D View Tooltip Split 3D view into multiple synchronized panes.

What it does Splits the 3D view into multiple panes (typically 2 or 4 panes) within the same window, each showing the same data from different viewpoints. Panes can be synchronized (all cameras move together) or independent. Common configurations: horizontal split, vertical split, quad-split (2×2 grid). Useful for multi-view examination without managing separate windows.

When to use it

  • Examining models from orthogonal views simultaneously (top, front, side)
  • CAD-style multi-view modeling workflows
  • Comparing viewpoints without window management
  • Single-screen multi-view visualization
  • Cross-section analysis (plan view + 2 profile views)

Notes Split views share the same window and rendering context. Each pane has independent camera unless synchronized. Typical split configurations: Top/Side, Top/Front/Side, or Quad (Top/Front/Side/Perspective). Split views are particularly useful for technical work requiring standard orthogonal views (engineering, architecture, CAD-style workflows).

Tabbed 3D Model​

Ribbon button: Tabbed 3d Model Tooltip Create tabbed 3D views for switching between scenes.

What it does Creates a new 3D view as a tab within the main 3D view area, similar to browser tabs. Multiple scenes or projects can be loaded in separate tabs, and you switch between them by clicking tabs. Each tab has independent camera, rendering settings, and potentially different loaded data. Useful for comparing multiple projects or maintaining multiple scene configurations.

When to use it

  • Comparing multiple projects or datasets
  • Maintaining different scene configurations (different data visible, different rendering)
  • Working on multiple projects simultaneously
  • Quickly switching between different visualization setups
  • Organizing complex workflows with multiple views

Notes Tabbed views allow rapid switching between different scenes without losing view configurations. Each tab is essentially an independent 3D session. Consider memory usage with many tabs - each tab consumes resources for its loaded data and rendering state.

Stereonet Window​

Ribbon button: Stereonet Window Tooltip Open stereonet window for structural analysis.

What it does Opens a dedicated stereonet window for visualizing and analyzing orientation data (planes, lineations) using stereographic projection. Stereonets display structural measurements as poles, great circles, or vectors, with contouring, statistics, and selection tools. Essential for structural geology analysis. See Interpretation Tools - Stereonet Analysis for detailed stereonet commands.

When to use it

  • Structural geology analysis of orientation data
  • Visualizing and analyzing bedding, foliation, or fracture orientations
  • Statistical analysis of structural fabrics
  • Identifying preferred orientations and structural domains
  • Creating publication-quality stereonet plots

Notes Stereonet windows are specialized for orientation data analysis. They display data from selected structural measurement objects in the project. Multiple stereonet windows can be opened to compare different datasets or structural domains.

New Map Window​

Ribbon button: New Map Window Tooltip Open 2D map view window for plan-view visualization.

What it does Opens a 2D map view window showing a plan-view (top-down) projection of the project data. Map views display data in 2D with pan and zoom controls, suitable for map-style visualization, GIS integration, and plan-view measurements. Complementary to 3D views, particularly for georeferenced data.

When to use it

  • Plan-view (map) visualization of data
  • GIS-style analysis and measurements
  • Comparing 3D data with 2D maps or aerial imagery
  • Measuring horizontal distances and areas
  • Preparing map-style figures for publications

Notes

2D vs 3D

Map views project 3D data to 2D, potentially losing elevation information in the visualization (though Z-data remains in the model). Color-coding by elevation or overlaying contours helps convey 3D information in 2D maps.

Map views typically support GIS basemaps (satellite imagery, topographic maps) as backgrounds. Zoom and pan controls are 2D (horizontal only), unlike 3D view's full 6-DOF camera.

Web Browser / Python Script​

Ribbon buttons: Web Browser, Python Script Tooltip Open integrated web browser or Python scripting window.

What it does Opens specialized windows:

  • Web Browser: Integrated web browser for accessing documentation, web services, or online resources without leaving the application
  • Python Script: Python scripting console for automation, custom analysis, or extending functionality via Python API

These windows provide access to advanced features and external resources.

When to use it

  • Web Browser: Accessing online documentation, web-based tools, or data services
  • Python Script: Automating repetitive tasks, custom data analysis, batch processing, or extending application capabilities

Notes Python scripting provides programmatic access to project data and functions. Scripts can read/modify data, automate workflows, or implement custom algorithms. The web browser can load local HTML files (e.g., custom reports, documentation) or access internet resources if connected.

Basic Menus​

Ribbon button: Basic Menus Tooltip Switch to basic menus for simplified interface.

What it does Switches the user interface from the full ribbon interface to a simplified "basic menus" mode with reduced functionality. Basic menus hide advanced features and present a streamlined interface for common tasks, suitable for new users or simple workflows. Toggle back to full ribbon for access to all features.

When to use it

  • Training new users with simplified interface
  • Simple projects not requiring advanced features
  • Reducing UI complexity and cognitive load
  • Quick access to common commands without advanced options
  • Presentations where simplified UI is clearer

Notes

Feature Access

Basic menus hide many advanced features. If you can't find a command in basic menus, switch back to full ribbon. Basic menus are recommended for learning, but most users eventually prefer full ribbon for its complete functionality.

Basic menus typically expose 20-30% of available commands, focusing on navigation, basic interpretation, and essential operations.

Scale & Reference​

Scale Bar​

Ribbon buttons: Scale Bar, 1.0 Metre, 5.0 Metres, 10.0 cm, Triaxial 5.0 Metres Tooltip Add scale bar to 3D view for size reference.

What it does Adds a scale bar (reference scale object) to the 3D view showing physical size. Scale bars are 3D objects with known dimensions (e.g., 1 metre, 5 metres, 10 cm) that can be placed in the scene for size reference. Variants:

  • 1.0 Metre: Single 1m bar
  • 5.0 Metres: Single 5m bar (default)
  • 10.0 cm: Small 10cm bar for detailed views
  • Triaxial: 3-axis bar showing X, Y, Z dimensions

Scale bars are essential for understanding model scale in photos, screenshots, and presentations.

When to use it

  • Providing size reference in 3D views
  • Screenshots or images for publications
  • Field comparison (how big is this feature?)
  • Presentations and demonstrations
  • Quality control (verifying scale is correct)

Notes

Scale Bar Placement

Place scale bars on flat surfaces or in clear areas where they're visible but don't obscure important features. Consider scale bar size relative to features of interest - too large dominates the view; too small is hard to see.

Scale bars should be placed in the 3D scene at appropriate locations (on surfaces, near features) rather than as 2D screen overlays. This allows them to be viewed from multiple angles and ensures they're included in 3D screenshots. For georeferenced models, verify scale bars match model units correctly.

Map View Controls​

Zoom In / Zoom Out (Map)​

Ribbon buttons: Zoom In, Zoom Out Tooltip Zoom in or out in 2D map view.

What it does Controls zoom level in 2D map view windows:

  • Zoom In: Increases magnification, showing more detail
  • Zoom Out: Decreases magnification, showing broader area

Map zoom is 2D (changes scale but not elevation/perspective). Zoom typically centres on cursor position or current view centre.

When to use it

  • Navigating between overview and detail in map views
  • Examining fine-scale features in plan view
  • Viewing entire project extent
  • Matching specific map scales for comparison
  • Preparing figures at specific scales

Notes Map zoom is distinct from 3D view zoom (which changes camera distance). Map zoom maintains plan-view projection whilst changing scale. Some map implementations snap to common map scales (1:1000, 1:5000, 1:10000) for standardization.

View Enhancement​

Lock Rotation Centre​

Ribbon button: Lock Rotation Centre Tooltip Lock the centre of rotation to prevent drift during navigation.

What it does Locks the rotation centre (the point around which the view rotates) to the current position, preventing it from automatically repositioning during navigation. Normally, the rotation centre updates as you pick new points or navigate; locking it maintains a fixed centre useful for examining objects from all angles whilst keeping them centred.

When to use it

  • Examining objects from all angles whilst keeping them centred
  • Preventing rotation centre drift during complex navigation
  • Maintaining focus on specific features during rotation
  • Controlled rotation around known points
  • Precise camera control for animations

Notes

Rotation Centre

The rotation centre is the 3D point around which view rotation occurs. It's typically set to clicked points or the visible centre. Locking prevents automatic updates, giving precise control but requiring manual centre updates when focusing on different features.

Unlock rotation centre when you want it to automatically update to new clicked points. Locked rotation can feel constraining if you navigate to different areas without updating the centre.

Auto Properties​

Ribbon button: Auto Properties Tooltip Automatically display properties of selected objects.

What it does Toggles automatic display of object properties in the Properties panel when objects are selected. When enabled, selecting an object in the 3D view or project tree immediately shows its properties (attributes, style settings, metadata). When disabled, properties must be manually accessed. Useful for rapid inspection of multiple objects.

When to use it

  • Rapid inspection of object properties
  • Comparing properties across multiple objects
  • Quality control workflows checking many objects
  • Learning what properties objects have
  • Workflows heavily utilizing property editing

Notes Auto properties updates the Properties panel with each selection, which can be distracting if you're frequently selecting objects for other reasons (navigation, visibility toggling). Disable if property panel updates are disruptive. Enable for workflows focused on property inspection and editing.

Connect GNSS​

Ribbon button: Connect GNSS Tooltip Connect to GNSS/GPS device for real-time position tracking.

What it does Opens dialogue to connect to a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or GPS device for real-time position tracking. Once connected, your live position from the GPS device is displayed in the 3D view, allowing real-time navigation of the model based on your physical location. Essential for field use, enabling virtual outcrops aligned with physical locations.

When to use it

  • Field navigation using virtual outcrops
  • Real-time position tracking in georeferenced models
  • Field validation of interpretations
  • Guided field trips or geological site navigation
  • Recording GPS tracks in 3D context

Notes

GPS Accuracy

GPS accuracy varies (typically 3-10m for consumer devices, sub-metre for RTK/differential GPS). Ensure model coordinates match GPS coordinate system (datum, projection). GPS performance depends on satellite visibility - poor in forests, canyons, or urban areas.

GPS connection typically requires Bluetooth or USB connection to GPS receiver. Configure GPS settings (coordinate system, update rate) in connection dialogue. Real-time tracking displays your position as a moving marker in the 3D view, useful for navigating to specific locations in large georeferenced models.

Performance and Rendering​

Display Option Effects on Performance:

  • Auto Highlight: Minimal impact except in very complex scenes (>10M triangles)
  • Backface Culling: Improves performance (reduces triangle count by ~50%)
  • Labels: Moderate impact with many labels (hundreds)
  • Full Screen: Slightly improves performance (fewer UI elements to render)

Window Management Tips:

  • Multiple 3D windows consume memory per window - close unused windows
  • Split views share resources efficiently (single rendering context)
  • Tabbed views allow many scenes but only active tab consumes GPU resources

Scale Bar Best Practices:

  • Use 1m or 5m bars for outcrop-scale models
  • Use 10cm bars for hand-sample or detailed views
  • Use triaxial bars when showing 3D orientation is important
  • Place bars on horizontal surfaces or in unobstructed areas
  • Consider scale bar colour contrast with background

Map View Considerations:

  • Map views are 2D projections - Z information flattened
  • Useful for horizontal measurements, areas, map comparisons
  • Complementary to 3D views, not replacement
  • GIS basemaps require internet connection (or cached tiles)

Related Commands:

  • Display options (Options dropdown) - Compass, Navigator, Base Plane, etc.
  • Window management (Windows dropdown) - Data Tab, Interpretations Tab, etc.
  • See Navigation & View Control for camera and view positioning
  • See Integration & Automation for Web Browser and Python detailed usage

1.0 Metre​

See Scale Bar - Sets scale bar to 1.0 metre length.

5.0 Metres​

See Scale Bar - Sets scale bar to 5.0 metres length.

10.0 cm​

See Scale Bar - Sets scale bar to 10.0 centimetres length.

Triaxial 5.0 Metres​

See Triaxial Scale Bar - Sets triaxial scale bar to 5.0 metres on each axis.

3D Model Window​

See New 3D Model Window

Data Tab​

See Project Explorer - Opens Data tab in Project Explorer showing the Data Tree.

Interpretations Tab​

See Project Explorer - Opens Interpretations tab showing the Interpretation Tree.

Collections Tab​

Ribbon button: Collections Tab Tooltip Open Collections tab in Project Explorer.

What it does Opens the Collections tab in the Project Explorer, which shows saved collections of objects, views, or workflows. Collections provide organization and quick access to frequently used object groups.

When to use it

  • Accessing saved object collections
  • Managing grouped datasets
  • Quick access to workflow sets
  • Project organization

Charts Tab​

Ribbon button: Charts Tab Tooltip Open Charts tab for data visualization.

What it does Opens the Charts tab which provides 2D data visualization tools (histograms, cross-plots, time series, etc.) for analyzing attribute data.

When to use it

  • Statistical data analysis
  • Cross-plot visualization
  • Histogram analysis
  • Quantitative data exploration

Properties Tab​

Ribbon button: Properties Tab Tooltip Open Properties panel showing selected object properties.

What it does Opens the Properties tab/panel displaying attributes, settings, and metadata for currently selected objects. Essential for viewing and editing object properties.

When to use it

  • Viewing object attributes
  • Editing properties and settings
  • Checking metadata
  • Configuring display options

VFT Tab​

Ribbon button: VFT Tab Tooltip Open Virtual Field Trip (VFT) tab.

What it does Opens the Virtual Field Trip tab for accessing VFT content, guided tours, or educational materials integrated with the 3D model.

When to use it

  • Accessing educational content
  • Following guided tours
  • Interactive learning workflows
  • Presentation mode with guided navigation

Web Tab​

Ribbon button: Web Tab Tooltip Open integrated web browser tab.

What it does Opens the integrated web browser tab for accessing online resources, documentation, or web services.

When to use it

  • Accessing online documentation
  • Loading web-based data services
  • Research and reference lookup
  • Integration with web resources

Chat Tab​

Ribbon button: Chat Tab Tooltip Open AI chat assistant tab.

What it does Opens the AI chat assistant tab for interacting with large language models for help, analysis suggestions, or code generation.

When to use it

  • Getting help with workflows
  • Asking questions about features
  • Generating Python scripts
  • Analysis guidance

Python Script​

See Python Console in Integration documentation or opens Python script editor.

Zoom Out​

See map view Zoom Controls or similar zoom operations in relevant view contexts.