5.1.4 Clipping

The position of the near and far clipping (or slabbing) planes can be controlled using the mouse wheel. The near clipping plane can be translated by holding down the Shift key while using the mouse wheel. The far clipping plane can be translated by holding down the Ctrl key while using the mouse wheel. Holding down both the Shift and Ctrl keys simultaneously while using the mouse wheel will translate both the near and far clipping planes in a mirrored fashion. It is important to note that slabbing must be enabled for these operations to actually be performed.

**Figure 5.1:** Graphics page of the Style Window

For users without mouse wheels, clipping can also be controlled on the Graphics page of the Style Window (see figure 5.1). At the top of the page there is an ``Enable Slabbing" check box which toggles whether or not clipping should be performed. Next to the check box is another check box titled ``Mirror" which dictates whether or not the back and front clipping planes should be controlled together such that their movements mirror each other around the center of the scene.

Beneath these check boxes is an interactive control which allows the user easy control over the clipping planes. Displayed in the control is a top-down view of the current scene in the 3D display. The front of the scene is at the bottom as indicated by the label.

When clipping (or slabbing) is enabled, two yellow lines will appear in the control which indicate the position of the near and far clipping planes. These can be moved by simply clicking on the triangular tab at the left of the line and dragging the line to the desired location. The 3D display will dynamically update as these lines are moved.

In the center of the control is a small white dot that corresponds to the center of scene that the camera is pointing at. The position of the center can be changed in the z plane by dragging the dot in the vertical plane. The position of the center can be changed in the x plane by dragging the dot in the horizontal plane.

				VIDA User Manual

				VIDA User Manual