Relative Depth

Default shortcut: r + d
Opens a window that lets you reposition the work plane of an elevation view or plan view using (+ or -) controls.
  • Step-By-Step
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Related Tools

1 . Click the Relative Depth icon, which is pictured above. The icon can be found on the Layout page > Views/Grids section.

Alternative: Invoke Relative Depth using the Find Tool by searching the command name and clicking the icon, which is pictured above.

2 . The Change View Depth window appears. Enter a positive or negative (-) distance in the Change view depth by field. A positive distance moves the view out from the screen. A negative distance moves the view into the screen. Click OK to reposition the work plane of your current view.

Note 1: At this point you have not actually created a new view; you have simply changed your current view in Modeling. Use Save View As to save a complete view or Save Area to save a partial view.

Note 2: The relative depth reported in parentheses (currently...) is the distance that your current view is from the 3D model's global coordinate point 0,0,0. In the example above, the current depth is 114-6.

Alternative: Press Esc or click Cancel to end the command.

  • The position of the work plane of an elevation view is measured along the X and Y global axes relative to the 0,0,0 point of the 3D model. A plan view's relative depth is its elevation. Elevation is measured along the Z global axis . The concept of relative depth is basically the same as elevation, but is defined with respect to the X and Y global axes rather than with respect to the Z global axis (unless your are in a plan view).
  • The Change View Depth dialog, which opens when you invoke Relative Depth, reports the location of the work plane of your current view with respect to the global coordinate system and allows you to enter a positive or negative distance (- is into the screen, + is out of the screen) to adjust that current location.
  • How much you see into or out of a view at a particular relative depth is set by the depth checking limits of that view.
  • The relative depth is the work plane of your view. Work plane highlighting is done on surfaces that are at that depth in the view. Changing the relative depth moves the work plane of the view.
  • Relative Depth alters the location of your current view. If you want to undo your change, you can Undo View Change ( u ) or Revert ( Ctrl + r ). To make a permanent copy of your change, Save View As ( s + v ).