Rhino 3D Tip: Maximizing Insight into Complex Models with Rhino 3D Clipping Planes

Today's tip is focused on efficiently utilizing Rhino 3D's Clipping Planes to gain insight into the inner workings of complex models. Clipping Planes are a powerful feature that allow you to create sectional views, offering a glimpse inside your 3D creations without permanently altering your geometry. Here's how to make the most out of this tool:

• Creating a Clipping Plane: To create a clipping plane, simply go to View > Clipping Plane or use the command ClippingPlane. This will insert a plane in your 3D space that you can position as needed.
• Manipulating the Plane: Once inserted, you can move, rotate, and scale the clipping plane just like any other object in Rhino. This allows you to adjust the section view dynamically.
• Viewing Inside Models: Clipping planes are immensely useful for examining interiors of complex assemblies, checking alignments, or peering into architectural spaces.
• Multiples and Direction: You can have multiple clipping planes active at once, each slicing the model in different directions. The direction of the plane determines which part of the model is visible.
• Control Visibility: Toggle the visibility of individual clipping planes without deleting them, allowing you to switch between various section views quickly.
• Clipping in Rendered View: Clipping planes work in rendered views as well, which can help in creating interesting visuals for presentations or client discussions.
• Exporting Sections: Use the Make2D command to create a 2D drawing of the clipped view, which can then be exported for documentation or further detailing.

Remember that while a clipping plane hides parts of your model, it does not delete or modify the geometry. Your full model remains intact, ready for further modeling or unobstructed viewing.

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