Interactive Tools

The Tools panel controls what happens when you double-click (or Ctrl+Click) on an object in the scene. Open it by clicking the Tools button in the toolbar or pressing Alt+T.

Tools panel Tools panel

ToolAction
ProbeShow information about the object at the clicked point (default)
MeasureMeasure distance, slope, and direction between two points
SelectSelect the clicked object in the Model Tree for editing
NoneDisable double-click and Ctrl+Click interaction
Tip

Ctrl+Click works the same as double-click for all tools. This is helpful on laptop trackpads where double-clicking precisely can be difficult.

Subsections of Interactive Tools

Probe is the default tool. Double-click (or Ctrl+Click) on any object to see detailed information about it at that location. A fuchsia-colored wireframe sphere marks the probed point.

Probe result displayed in the scene Probe result displayed in the scene

Probe Results

The Probe Results section in the Tools panel shows:

FieldDescription
CoordinateThe X, Y, Z location of the probed point
UnitThe name of the object that was probed
AnalyteThe chemical or substance being measured (if the object contains analytical data)
ValueThe interpolated data value at that location. This is an approximation based on the 3D model, not the exact value from the original data.
Data RangeThe minimum and maximum values for this dataset
DatamapA visual color bar showing how values map to colors
Info

The fields shown depend on the type of object probed. Objects without analytical data show only the coordinate and unit name.

Action Buttons

Three buttons appear below the probe results:

  • Clear — Remove the probe marker and results
  • Center — Move the camera to orbit around the probed point. After clicking Center, all mouse rotations pivot around this point instead of the center of the scene.
  • Edit — Open the Model Tree with the probed object selected for editing

The Measure tool calculates distance, slope, and direction between two points. Double-click (or Ctrl+Click) on the first point, then double-click (or Ctrl+Click) on the second point to see the results.

Measurements

MeasurementDescription
3D DistanceStraight-line distance between the two points
2D DistanceHorizontal distance only (ignoring elevation)
Vertical Distance (ΔZ)Difference in elevation between the two points
SlopeAngle of the line between the points (0° = horizontal, 90° = vertical)
Aspect (degrees)Compass bearing from point 1 to point 2 (0° = North, 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West)
Aspect (direction)Compass direction as a label (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)
Info

The measure tool accounts for Z scale (vertical exaggeration) correctly. Slope and distance values reflect true-scale geometry, so the reported numbers are accurate even if the visual appearance looks steeper due to vertical exaggeration.

Click Clear to remove the measurement and start a new one.

The Select tool opens the Model Tree and automatically selects the clicked object, making it easy to immediately edit properties such as opacity, wireframe, or visibility.

Double-click (or Ctrl+Click) on any object in the scene to select it. The Model Tree panel opens with that object highlighted and its properties loaded in the Editor.