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Using Rotation Constraints to Speed Up Your Workflow in Trimble RealWorks

Using constraints on how you rotate the view around the point cloud is a great way to get just the view you need quickly and easily.

In Trimble RealWorks there are various options to do this.

The most common is setting a rotation point. By default, TRW will rotate around the position of the mouse cursor.

TRW Rotation

This setting can be changed under the View tab in the Navigation section. Alternatively, you can select to have the center of rotation manually defined by pressing the X key and then using the mouse to select the specific location you would like the view to rotate around. You can use the shortcut key Q to toggle between the two options.

Trimble RealWorks Navigation

Another unique feature is locking the view to Heads Up. This is turned on by default and helps to not get disoriented why navigating the point cloud. When this is active you will notice that you can’t rotate the Z or Elevation axis side to side, only toward you and away from you.

Trimble RealWorks Orientation

The option to turn this off is also found under the View tab under the Navigation section. As you can see when this is turned off you can end up with some strange views. It is easy to turn the Heads Up lock back on by simply pressing the shortcut U button.

Trimble RealWorks Navigation Block

However, there are some useful options available with the Heads Up lock is turned off. Moving the mouse cursor to the far left or right of the screen will allow you to rotate the project around a horizontal axis through the middle of the 3D display.

Trimble RealWorks Horizontal Orientation

Moving the mouse cursor to the far top or bottom of the screen will allow you to rotate the project around a vertical axis through the middle of the 3D display.

TRW Rotation Verticle

Moving the mouse cursor to the corners of the screen will allow you to rotate the project in a circular motion around a point in the center of the 3D display.

Trimble RealWorks Rotation

These rotation options are even more effective when combined with the View toolbar and remember you can always use the U button to quickly return to the more familiar Heads Up locked view.

Trimble RealWorks Toolbar

I think that you'll finding using the different rotation options in Trimble RealWorks can greatly improve your productivity and help you to get just the view you need.

To learn more about RealWorks click here