3D compass

3D compass

Located in the lower-left corner of the Canvas, the 3D compass acts as an orientation and shortcut device. It has active and passive states, depending on whether the pointer is positioned over it. In its passive state, it displays the orientation of the three world axes (X, Y, and Z). In its active state, the compass presents color-coded shortcuts to activate the reference (orthogonal and perspective) cameras.

Canvas showing 3D Compass in passive and active states

Show or hide the 3D compass

  • Click the View pop-up menu above the Canvas, then choose Show 3D Overlays and 3D Compass.

    A checkmark next to an overlay type in the pop-up menu indicates that the overlay is enabled in the Canvas.

Select a reference camera view using the 3D compass

  1. Position the pointer over the compass.

    The compass changes to its active state, displaying a labeled icon for each reference camera view.

  2. Click the icon representing the camera to activate.

    The view in the Canvas updates to the selected reference camera view.

Select a camera view using the 3D compass

  1. Position the pointer over the 3D compass.

    The compass changes to its active state.

  2. Control-click the 3D compass, then choose a scene camera or reference camera view from the shortcut menu.

    The view in the Canvas changes to the selected camera view.