
When working with 3D models in ProE, users often need to rotate and pan their view to navigate and make adjustments. While keyboard arrow functions and the Viewpoint Toolbar can be used for this, many users prefer to use their mouse for faster and more intuitive navigation. By default, the middle mouse button is used for panning, while rotating is achieved by holding down Shift and middle mouse button. However, some users prefer to have the middle mouse button set to rotate, with an additional key like Shift for panning, as they find themselves rotating more often than panning. While there is currently no built-in option to remap these controls in ProE, some users have suggested mapping the middle mouse button to the F4 key as a workaround.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Software | Creo Elements/Direct 3D Access, Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, Solid Edge |
| Mouse buttons | Left, middle, right, scroll wheel |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Ctrl, Shift |
| Rotation | XY axis, Z axis, Viewport Center, Model Center, Selected |
| Panning | Ctrl + left mouse button |
| Zooming | Zoom in, Zoom out, Rest display projection |
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What You'll Learn

Using the Viewpoint Toolbar
The Viewpoint Toolbar is a useful feature that allows you to quickly change your viewpoint, adjust your display's perspective, and add rotations. It is an efficient tool for navigating 3D spaces and adjusting your view without having to use keyboard shortcuts or other navigation methods.
The Zoom/Pan Toolbar, which is part of the Viewpoint Toolbar, offers several functions for adjusting your view. The "plus" icon zooms in, while the "minus" icon zooms out, both centred on the middle of the display. The "house" icon resets your view to the initial projection. Additionally, arrow buttons are available to shift the display in the desired direction.
The Viewpoint Toolbar also provides various viewpoint options to rotate your display. "Rotate to top viewpoint" gives you a view from the top, looking down the z-axis, while "Rotate to bottom viewpoint" provides the opposite view. "Rotate to north viewpoint" orients your display to a northern view, and "Rotate to south viewpoint" orients it to a southern view. Similarly, "Rotate to east viewpoint" and "Rotate to west viewpoint" allow you to view your model from the east or west, respectively.
You can also set a parallel or perspective projection to maintain the selected viewpoint while adding a 3D perspective. Furthermore, the "Rotate to a user-specified view" option opens a Viewpoint Settings window, where you can input numerical values for Azimuth from North and Tilt down from the top, allowing for precise custom rotations.
The Viewpoint Toolbar also includes Undo/Redo buttons, enabling you to reverse or redo any changes made to the zoom, pan, rotation, or projection. Holding Shift while clicking these buttons will allow you to move forward or backward by 10 changes at once.
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Rotating with the scroll wheel
To rotate with the scroll wheel in Pro/Engineer (Pro/E), you can use the third mouse button, i.e., the scroll wheel. Here are the steps to enable this feature:
- Go to the "View" menu.
- Choose "Orientation" and select the "Orient Mode."
- Click on "Pan Zoom." You will see an orientation dialog box.
- Increase or decrease the level on the rotating symbol of "H," "V," and "C."
By following these steps, you can use the scroll wheel on your mouse to rotate in Pro/E. This method allows you to rotate the model without the need for keyboard shortcuts or additional clicks.
It is worth noting that some users have expressed a preference for using the middle mouse button for rotation, as is the default in some other CAD programs. This allows for more fluid navigation and rotation of the model. However, as of the sources' date of publication, Autodesk has not implemented this as an option.
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Using the shortcut Ctrl + mouse buttons
To rotate and pan in Pro/Engineer (Pro/E) by mouse, you can use the Ctrl key in combination with the mouse buttons.
Firstly, to rotate the 3D view, hold down the right mouse button (often referred to as MB3) and move the mouse in the desired direction. This will rotate the display, and it may take some practice to get used to this method.
Additionally, using the Ctrl key in combination with the scroll wheel on your mouse allows for more specific rotation adjustments. Holding Ctrl while scrolling will rotate the display along the Y-axis. If you want to rotate about the X-axis, hold the Shift key while scrolling. For rotation about the Z-axis, use the combination of Shift + Ctrl keys together while scrolling.
To pan the display, hold down the Ctrl key and the right mouse button simultaneously, then move the mouse in the intended direction. The display will follow the movement of the mouse. Alternatively, holding Ctrl and using the arrow keys on your keyboard will also allow you to pan in the direction of the arrow.
Some users have expressed a preference for using the middle mouse button for rotating and the right mouse button for panning, as is the case in other software such as Creo, Solid Edge, and Solid Works. This can be achieved by holding down an additional key, like Shift, while using the middle mouse button to pan.
It is worth noting that different software may have varying default settings for mouse button functions, and some programs offer more customization options than others. For example, specific mouse types, such as Razer or Logitech, may allow you to assign macros or commands to different buttons, providing greater flexibility in how you navigate and interact with your 3D space.
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Rotating with the middle mouse button
To rotate with the middle mouse button in ProE, you can press the middle mouse button and drag the model in the direction you wish to rotate. This is the default option in Creo Elements/Direct 3D Access, which rotates the model on the XY axis at the picked position.
However, some users have noted that the middle mouse button function for spinning the model is backwards in ProE compared to other software. In Autodesk, for example, the middle mouse button is typically used for panning rather than rotating. As a result, some users have expressed a desire for more flexibility to customize their interface, allowing them to choose how they want the middle mouse button to function.
If you are experiencing issues with the middle mouse button not working for rotating in ProE, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try. First, check your mouse settings and keymap settings to ensure that the middle mouse button is functioning correctly and is not accidentally programmed for another function. You can also try switching the USB port for your mouse, as this has been reported to fix similar issues.
Additionally, if you are using a high-end mouse with multiple buttons and options, you may need to set its preferences individually for ProE, ensuring that the middle mouse button is correctly assigned to the rotate function. By following these steps, you should be able to effectively use the middle mouse button for rotating in ProE.
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Rotating with the Shift key
To rotate and pan in ProE by mouse, you can use the Shift key in combination with other mouse buttons and keyboard functions.
The Shift key is particularly useful when rotating around the Z-axis. By holding down the Shift key and using the mouse to drag the model, you can rotate the model around the Z-axis, which is essential for navigating and viewing the model from different angles.
Additionally, the Shift key can be used in combination with the middle mouse button for rotating and panning. In some software, users have the option to customise their navigation settings, allowing them to use the Shift key in conjunction with the middle mouse button for a smoother workflow. This can be more intuitive and efficient, especially for those transitioning from other software with similar controls, such as SketchUp or SolidWorks.
It is worth noting that the default settings in some software may differ, and users may need to adjust their keybindings or preferences to achieve the desired functionality. For example, in Blender, users can customise their keybindings by navigating to User Preferences > Keymap > 3D View > 3D View Global and making the necessary adjustments to enable the use of the Shift key for rotating and panning.
By utilising the Shift key in combination with other mouse buttons and keyboard functions, users can efficiently rotate and pan their models in ProE, enhancing their workflow and overall modelling experience.
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Frequently asked questions
To rotate, use the shortcut Ctrl + middle (or left + right) mouse and drag the model in the desired direction. To pan, use the shortcut Ctrl + left mouse and drag the model in the desired direction.
Use the "Rotate to top viewpoint" option in the Viewpoint Toolbar to rotate the display to a view from the top, looking down along the z-axis.
Use the "Rotate to bottom viewpoint" option in the Viewpoint Toolbar to rotate the display to a view from the bottom, looking up along the z-axis.
Use the "Rotate to north viewpoint" option in the Viewpoint Toolbar to rotate the display to a view from the north, looking down along the y-axis.





























