Component Viewer
The Component Viewer provides a three-dimensional image of a part or an assembly. The image is automatically saved to the database and is available whenever the part or assembly is opened.
Icon | Function | Usage |
 | Reset | Click this icon to reset the image to its original state. |
 | Select | Click this icon, then click anywhere on the image to select a specific Geometric Cost Driver (GCD). The selected GCD is highlighted in the Geometric Cost Drivers table and information related to this GCD is displayed. To select multiple GCDs of the same type, for example, multiple holes or welds, press the Ctrl key and click GCDs one by one. To deselect a selected GCD, press the Ctrl key and click the selected GCD. |
 | Marquee Selection | Use this tool to draw a box on the screen and select all GCDs within that box of the same type. Choose from: Bending/Forming, Volume, Holes, Surfaces, Joining, Other, Not Supported |
 | Zoom | To zoom in, click this icon, press the left mouse button and move the mouse toward you. To zoom out, click this icon, press the left mouse button and move the mouse away from you. Alternatively, move the middle mouse button wheel forwards and backwards to zoom in and out. |
 | Pan | To move to a certain part of an image, click this icon, press the left mouse button, then move the image by moving the mouse. Alternatively, press the Shift key and the middle mouse button to move the image. Panning is especially useful when the image is zoomed out so that it does not fit into the Component Viewer. |
 | Rotate | To rotate an image, click this icon, press the left mouse button, and move the mouse. Alternatively, press the middle mouse button and move the mouse |
 | Render mode | To change the way the image is displayed, click this icon and select Solid, Wireframe, Transparent. |
The viewer also provides the following shortcuts when you click on the origin symbol in the lower left of the view:
• Click on the origin: Reset. The part will snap to standard orientation, based on the position of the cursor relative to the axes on the origin. Continuing to click will toggle between different axes.
• Click and hold on the origin: Rotate. The part will rotate about its centerpoint (as opposed to the Rotate operation described in the table above, which causes the part to rotate in relation to the position of the cursor).
• CTRL-click and hold on the origin: Zoom.
• SHIFT-click and hold on the origin: Pan.
The Component Viewer also provides a number of tools and commands for displaying and editing Geometric Cost Drivers for the current part or assembly. For more information see Using the component viewer tools and commands on page 1.
You can import bills of materials into aPriori using the BOM Loader in the VPE Toolset. For more information, see Importing on page 1.
To change the size of the Component Viewer
Click the right bottom corner of the component viewer and drag it with your mouse cursor.