Changing the Detail of the 3D Images

You can change the level of detail in which 3D objects and Entities are rendered. Reducing the level of detail of objects and Entities may reduce the processing demand on your computer, which may in turn speed up your work.

On the other hand, if you are preparing visual materials for a presentation or report, you may prefer to keep the level of detail high. LEGION 3D enables you to choose the appropriate level for your needs.

Object rendering

To change the level of object rendering, select View > Objects and then one of the following options, or click the corresponding icon on the toolbar. Some options require you to click two icons.

Textured–the highest level of detail.
Textured and Contour Lines–basic texture plus some highlighting of edges. +
Facet–the basic shape of the object. IMAGE: ObjectRendering002.jpg
Facet + Contour Lines–the basic shape plus some detailing. +
Wireframe–the structural ‘skeleton’ beneath the facade of the object.
Transparency–select None , Simple (‘Simple’ makes all objects which are capable of being rendered as such partially ‘see-through’. or Advanced ('true transparency').
Colour scene by objects–display standard object colours.
Colour scene by layers–display layers according to their predefined layer colours (SketchUp files only).

The rendering of all objects is updated accordingly in the viewing area.

You can also access these settings by right-clicking in the workspace and selecting options from the Objects menu.

Entity rendering

LEGION 3D offers three levels of Entity texture rendering. In order of highest to lowest detail they are: ‘Textured Entity’, ‘Cell Shaded Entity’ and ‘Skeleton Entity’. The visual impact of these differing levels of Entity rendering is illustrated here.

To change the level of detail of Entity rendering:

Select View > Entities and then one of the following options, or click the corresponding icon on the toolbar.
- Textured–the highest level of textured rendering.
- Cell Shaded–a sketchier version of fully textured Entities.
- Skeleton–a version where Entities resemble ‘stick-men’.
- Mock Floor Shadow–places a faint circular shadow at the feet of the Entity. The rendering of all objects is updated accordingly in the viewing area.
To affect how Entities are coloured, select one of the three optional settings.
- Do not colour Entities
- Colour by Entity Type
- Colour Entities by Fruin LOS–colour Entities according to which predefined Fruin Level of Service they currently reflect.

Note: You can also access these settings by right-clicking in the workspace and selecting options from the Entities menu.