How to control rotation in model view

[Ingrid91]

Hi,

So this is a basic question but I've honestly never learned how to.

In Microstation when you rotate in your model view to see objects from different angles, you can grip your crosshairs and snap them to a specific object. You can also place the crosshairs at another place anytime you want as long as you're in the command (say you're interested in the ditch at 0/020, and then you need to look at a intersection at 0/500).

So my question is basically: how do I gain greater control when trying to rotate in CAD/C3D?

Often, especially when the model or surface is kilometers long, I just get zoomed out of oblivion when trying to rotate. Or an arbitrary place is placed in front of me.

I'm sadly only using <shift + press down scroll on mouse>.

[ianjchap]

Hi @Ingrid91,

The method you mentioned about hold shift + mouse wheel is my preferred. And even with large corridor models I still find this the easiest way. If you're zooming out, are you using Zoom Extentents first with other random objects somwhere in model space? My view usually goes straight to the view im looking at in 2D, it is imporant where to pick the first spot to rotate to. I usually Zoom out a bit first and pick a point just to the side of my objects.

There are other preset 3D views you could use, plus by clicking on the View Cube. Or a cobination of all.

[Ingrid91]

Thanks for your reply! It's a bit disappointing to be honest, that there isn't another way to control it more specifically like in Microstation. 

Could you explain a bit more about what you wrote: "it is imporant where to pick the first spot to rotate to. I usually Zoom out a bit first and pick a point just to the side of my objects." Do you mean that the position I place my mouse makes that much of a difference? I haven't experienced that yet.

[ianjchap]

Hi @Ingrid91,

I've attached a quick clip to show you how my operation works when holding Shift+ mouse wheel. I find this pretty successful. 

I tried picking further away when I click the mouse wheel, and it doesnt make any difference, so that was a bit of a bum steer. But it should'nt zoom out like you've mentioned.

If you zoom extent first and then Shift + wheel you should be ok and have full control from there. Including being able to zoom and pan, then shifht + wheel again. etc.

Hope this helps. Let me know if not. 

[RobertEVs]

I prefer this option over Shift mouse. Give it a try. Once done, to get back to top click the TOP of the view cube (image-2). For me Shift Click has to regen or is not in real time like 3dorbit. Also, 3dorbit is mouse use only no need to keep holding down the shift key. (DO NOT select it in general. Make sure to select your desired object first i.e. surface, corridor. featureline etc.)

Of course, with the addition of the Add to Model Viewer in 2026 none of this other matters. Model viewer stays open while your work area can stay in plan view

[tcorey]

If you're using Civil 3D 2026, there is a new tool called Model Viewer. It will place a Station Tracker along your Corridor

, letting you know where to zoom in.

[AllenJessup]

There is the VPoint command. I prefer changing the VTwist  https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-5357731F-8FC6-4413-A7B2-3E152CD3127B

You can access that through the DView command or change the variable directly. I often use a Lisp to change the drawing rotation. The attached will let you pick an object to set the twist.

Both methods above do not affect the coordinate system. That's why I prefer them to a UCS.