Section Generation dialog box

Used to control the creation of sections (which show interior detail that is too complex to see clearly in an ordinary wireframe view). Opens when Utilities > Generate Section is chosen.

Section Generation dialog box

Output File

Identifies the 3D design file in which the section geometry is placed. By default, the section geometry is placed in the active design file.

Tolerance

The section geometry consists of straight line segments. If the model has curved surfaces, the curves are approximated by straight line segments. The Tolerance control sets the variance between the true section curve and the approximation. Reducing the tolerance makes the section geometry more accurate by increasing the number of vertices. It also increases the file size and the time it takes to generate the section.

Flatten Section

If on, the section geometry is flattened to two dimensions along an axis perpendicular to the section plane; the Active Angle and the Active Depth will be applied to section placement. This is useful when using a fence to define a section. The section created by a fence is a 3D replica of the elements lying within the fence.

Interactive Positioning

If on, the position of the section geometry is determined by the active scale, active angle, and a data point. By default, Interactive Positioning is off, and the section geometry is generated “in place.”

When the section geometry has been generated and is about to be placed interactively, it is displayed dynamically as the screen pointer is moved. If the section was based on a plane perpendicular to the screen, the section geometry is displayed rotated 90° so that it is easier to see. As the section geometry is moved to other views, it is rotated so that it appears in the same orientation in each view.

When the section geometry is placed, it is placed in the rotated orientation. This is convenient for placing sections “flat” in a sheet file. For an example of interactive placement, see Section by Projection > Element.

Assemble Segments

If on, the section geometry segments for all adjacent model surfaces are assembled into complex chains or shapes. This can be useful for models with many adjacent elements, such as triangulated digital terrain models.