Constrain Z axis

Rhino Rhino for Windows
1

Hi everyone,

My question is simple, how to constrain the Z axis in perspective 3D view? I can active ortho mode with the SHIFT key, but can’t seem to work in z axis (which is totally logic). I don’t want to be forced to switch the view to snap in Z axis.

Best regards,
David Larouche

2

You can activate the elevator mode by holding Ctrl down while clicking a point.
If you have planar mode on, your next points will be at the same z-elevation.

1 Like
3

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work with polyline. Trying to figure out how you could make a polyline to be constrained on the z axis so you doesn’t have to interrupt the process.

Otherwise, I’d need to join the lines, but it’s not quite efficient.

Best regards,
David

4

Hmmm… I just tried this and it worked for me using a polyline when I clicked on Control first, then L clicked to start the polyline. I was constrained to only Z axis movements after the polyline was started. When I started the polyline first, then held the Control key, it did not constrain in the Z axis.

Good luck,
Doug

5

Oh yeah, it works. Thanks

I had to hold CTRL and click again. I wish z axis could be constrained the same way it works for Y-X axis, by simply holding the key down. By the way, why would rhino also use two different keys to constrain the axes?

I don’t think it’s user-friendly, or maybe there is some explanation for advanced users?

Best regards,
D.L

6

Glad you got it to work!

Perspective view is great for selecting objects, and can be challenging to model in, since it’s really the Top view, with the camera in a different place. Placing and moving objects in Perspective can be a wild ride; like a laser beam with a mind of its own. Control “elevator mode” is an older way to make Perspective more usable for modeling. The Gumball levels the field quite a bit in making the Perspective view much more friendly for modeling.

Best regards,
Doug

1 Like
7

FWIW, There has been some experimentation going on to make the CPlane in the perspective view follow the camera to a certain degree. The most useful implementation of this functionality (to me) is in the attached script. This way, when drawing a polyline with the camera at one place will draw on the XY plane. When you move the camera you can continue drawing in e.g. the XZ plane.
KyleMode_NoViewSnap_Label.py (9.0 KB)