How to Use Clipping Planes

Clipping Planes let you slice through a 3D model to reveal its interior. Use them to inspect room layouts, understand floor relationships, and share precise cross-sectional views of any captured space.

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Overview

Clipping Planes are a viewing tool in the 3D model viewer. They work by cutting through your model along a chosen axis (Top, Left, Right, Front, Back, or Bottom) and letting you drag a slider to control how deep the cut goes. The model updates in real time as you move the slider, so you can scan through an entire floor or isolate a specific wall section in seconds.

Clipping Planes are non-destructive: they never alter your scan data. Turning them off instantly restores the full model.

Using Clipping Planes

1Turn Clipping Planes On

Open any processed 3D model and locate the vertical toolbar on the right side of the screen.

  • Tap the cube icon (solid box with visible edges) in the right toolbar.
  • The Clipping Planes bar will appear at the bottom of the screen and the model will immediately enter clipping mode.

To turn clipping off, tap the cube icon again. A "Clip off" label will appear next to the icon confirming the clip has been removed and the full model restored.

2Use the Clipping Planes Bar

Once activated, a control bar appears at the bottom of the screen with three elements:

  • × (close button): Exits clipping mode entirely and restores the full model.
  • Slider: Drag left or right to move the clipping plane through the model. The model updates in real time as you drag.
  • Direction arrows < Direction >: Tap the arrows to cycle through the available clip directions. The current direction is displayed between the arrows.

3Choose a Clip Direction

Tap the < or > arrows to switch between directions. Each direction cuts through the model along a different axis:

Direction What You See
Top A top-down cross-section looking straight through the floor plan, useful for understanding the full layout of a level
Left A horizontal slice from the left side of the model, showing rooms and walls in elevation
Right A horizontal slice from the right side, the mirror of the Left view
Front A cross-section from the front of the model
Back A cross-section from the rear of the model
Bottom A view sliced upward from the base of the model
Tip: The Top direction is the fastest way to move through floor levels. Start there to get your bearings, then switch to Left or Right for elevation detail.

Best Practices

1Explore Floor Relationships

Select the Top direction and drag the slider slowly from one end to the other to move through each floor level of a multi-story property. This lets you see how rooms on different levels stack and align without switching views.

2Inspect Wall and Room Layout

Switch to the Left or Right direction for an elevation cross-section. This makes it easy to see how rooms connect side-by-side, check wall positioning, and understand ceiling heights relative to each space.

3Capture a Clipped View

Once you've positioned the clipping plane exactly where you want it, tap the camera icon in the right toolbar to take a screenshot of that cross-sectional view. Screenshots save the current orientation and clip position, making them easy to share with clients or include in reports.

4Combine with the Floors Button

For multi-story properties, use the Floors button in the top-left corner to isolate a specific floor first, then apply a clipping plane for a more focused view of that level. This reduces visual complexity and makes it easier to highlight a single floor to a client.

Tip: Clipping Planes work in any 3D view orientation. Rotate the model into a useful angle before activating a clip to get the most informative cross-section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clipping permanently affect my model?

No. Clipping Planes are a viewing tool only and do not modify your scan data. Tapping the cube icon again or pressing × restores the full model exactly as it was.

The slider is at the edge and I can't see my model. What happened?

If the slider is dragged all the way to one extreme, the clipping plane may cut away the entire model. Drag the slider back toward the center to bring the model back into view.

Why don't I see all six clip directions?

The available directions may vary depending on the capture. Some models only expose the most useful orientations for that particular space.

Can I save a clipped view?

Yes. Position the clip where you want it and use the camera icon in the right toolbar to capture a screenshot of the current view. Clipped views are not saved as a persistent state but can always be recreated by returning to the same direction and slider position.