Running models : Working with visualization tools : 3-D Shape Viewer

3-D Shape Viewer

This is another helper that can superimpose shapes representing information from a number of different model components which may represent different types of object and have different array dimensions. In this case, a set of model components can be used to provide data for a shape or group of shapes in a 3-D scene. For instance in this representation of a plant, a sphere is used to show the root volume, cylinders are used to show the leaf stems (petioles) and ellipses are used to show the leaves themselves.

When the helper is first invoked, the grid is displayed showing X axis indices in red, Y in blue and Z in black. There are currently three types of shape which can be added. The dimensions of all model values used to create each set of shapes must be the same. To add a set of shapes, select the type using the menu button at the bottom. You will then be prompted to identify the model components to be used, and choose the colour(s) using a standard colour selection dialogue. All shapes in each set will have the same colour(s). When the selections are complete, the shapes will be added to the display.

Sphere

This is the simplest type. It requires model components representing the X, Y and Z coordinates of the sphere centres, and one for the radii of the spheres. The colour must also be specified.

Line

This requires seven model components, representing the X, Y and Z co-ordinates of the start and end of the line, plus one representing the line thickness. The colour must also be specified.

Ellipse

This requires eight model components. The first three are the X, Y and Z co-ordinates of the ellipse centre. Then there is one for the radius of the ellipse along the X (major) axis, and one for the eccentricity, which is the factor by which the Y axis radius is smaller. The ellipse will be drawn parallel to the XY plane if the next two are zero. The first of these is the rotation about the X axis, which rolls the ellipse around the major axis. Then comes rotation about the Y axis, which tilts it around the minor axis. The last one is rotation around the Z axis, which revolves the ellipse in its plane. Note that each rotation also rotates the axes for subsequent rotations. In addition to the model components, two colours must be specified for ellipses, the first for the front (initially upper) surface, the second for the back.

Navigating the scene

The view in the shape viewer can be adjusted using the mouse. The camera can be swivelled around the centre of the view by left-dragging in the view window, and zoomed in and out using the scroll wheel. Right-dragging will cause the camera to move perpendicularly to the direction in which it is looking.

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