In RenderBoy, the design process takes place in three-dimensional (3D) space. This is fundamentally different than a two dimensional application such as Clarisworks. In RenderBoy, the design process involves creating and manipulating 3D solid objects such as spheres, cones, tubes, etc. You do this within the "Design Window", in which the objects of your design will be displayed in one or more views.
Before you can really manipulate 3D objects, you need to understand the design views and how to manipulate them. That is what this chapter describes.
Design View Definitions
When you create a new untitled design document, the views of the design are organized as an "orthographic projection", as shown below.
 
"What the h*ll is an orthographic projection?", you may be asking yourself. In an orthographic projection, the lower left view is the "Front View", the lower right view is the "Side View", and the upper left view is the "Top View". These three orthogonal (a.k.a. perpendicular) views are maintained so that the objects which are displayed in them are aligned with each other. In other words, they are orthographically projected, hence the name.
The upper right view is the "Isometric view", or Iso-View. In the iso-View, you are viewing the same objects shown in the other three views, but from an offset angle. The following diagram should help clarify this. It is the isometric view from above, showing how the front, side, and top views are defined within the three dimensional world of RenderBoy.
 
Each gray frame shown above represents a view into the three dimensional world. Collectively, they are intended to help you visualize and design things in 3D. Hopefully it is clear by now that the previous diagrams show two 3D objects: a tube and a block. Relative to the front view, the block is behind the tube. If this is not clear, at least take some comfort in the fact that I will not try to define any more boring and esoteric drafting terms such as "orthographic projection". I guess you should have payed more attention in drafting class :-)
Design View Manipulation
Manipulating the views of an object is not the same as manipulating the object itself. This point is important, so I will repeat it: Manipulating the views of an object is not the same as manipulating the object itself. This section explains how to manipulate the four design views. In the previous diagram, this would be equivalent to moving and re-sizing the viewing frames that define the front, side, top, and iso views. This does not cause the 3D objects to move or change size in 3D space.
As previously mentioned, a new untitled design initially displays four views, each of which occupies a quarter of the design window. However, sometimes it is useful to have just one of the design views (front, side, top, or iso) take up the whole window. The menu items "Layout -> Active Views -> [views]" lets you do this. This functionality is also described in the "Menu Functions" chapter.
The next method of manipulating the design views is with the "Zoom In/Out" and "Shift View" tools, which are available under the "Tools" menu. The zoom tool lets you zoom in (or out) on part of a view you want to see more closely. The shift tool allows you to shift or slide a view, so that you can see different parts of it. Again, these actions do not change the 3D objects which make up the design, they only change how you are viewing them. Usage of these tools is described in more detail in the "Menu Functions" chapter.
There is only one more way to manipulate the design views, and it is the easiest one. When you choose "Auto Scale" from the "Layout" menu, it will automatically zoom/shift your current design view(s) so that all objects are entirely visible, yet appear as large as possible. That's all there is to it!
View Manipulation Exercises
Launch RenderBoy and let it create a new untitled design document. Create a new object by selecting a "New Positive Object" from the "Design" menu. Notice how each view of the design window is showing the exact same object, but from different directions. Delete or clear this object, and try creating some of the other types.
For each object, try to understand why it looks the way it does in each view. If it will help, shade the object by choosing "Render Image" from the "Render" menu. Visualizing things in 3D is a skill which some people acquire more quickly than others, but anyone can do it, even managers and politicians. Study the view definitions until you can visualize what they are showing, and try to think three dimensionally.
Practice using the "zoom" and "shift" tools to manipulate the views of the design. These tools are found under the "Tools" menu, so you should reference the "Menu Functions" chapter for an explanation of how to use these tools. Also practice zooming-out by using the zoom tool with the shift key held down. After using the view manipulation tools for a while, try selecting the menu item "Layout -> Auto Scale". Notice how this automatically shifts/scales all views so that all objects are visible again.
You now know everything there is to know about manipulating the design views. Congratulations!
