The Clipping Plane and Cross Section tools in Novorender allow you to cut through models, analyze interiors, and generate sectional views in both 2D and 3D.
They are essential for detailed inspection, measurement, and design validation.
Part 1 – Clipping Plane Widget
1. Accessing Clipping Planes
You can access clipping planes in three ways:
Click the scissor icon → Clipping Plane.
Use the Clipping menu → Clipping Plane.
On tablet/phone: long press / right-click → Add Clipping Plane.
A clipping plane is always created orthogonal to the point on the model where you clicked.
2. Using Clipping Planes
A clipping plane slices through the model, hiding everything behind the plane.
Move the plane:
By dragging the scissor in the viewer.
Or by adjusting it in the Clipping Plane Widget.
Add multiple clipping planes to cut the model from different sides.
Remove planes:
Delete removes a single plane.
Clear removes all active planes.
3. Outlines
Outlines add stronger edge lines to clipped geometry for clarity.
Can be toggled on/off globally or per clipping plane.
This setting is auto turned off for weaker devices to speed up the performance.
4. Switch Between 2D and 3D
Click 2D/3D switch to enter a 2D orthographic cross-section aligned with the clipping plane.
In 2D mode, you can perform precise measurements.
Click again to return to 3D view.
5. Additional Options (Three Dots Menu)
Open Widget: Opens the Clipping Plane Widget panel.
Cross-Section: Opens the Cross Section Widget (see Part 2).
2D View: Toggle to switch between 2D and 3D.
Outlines: Toggle edge visibility.
Show Plane: Displays or hides the plane itself for orientation.
Delete: Removes the selected clipping plane.
Part 2 – Cross Section Widget
The Cross Section Widget expands clipping planes into an interactive tool for analyzing sections in both 2D and 3D.
1. Interactive Viewing
Shows a 2D cross-section overlay inside a widget, together with the 3D view.
Lets you zoom in for more detail.
Synchronizes with 3D view:
Moving in 3D shows a marker in the 2D view.
Clicking in the 2D section updates the 3D view location.
2. Managing Cross Sections
Move the section in 3D → widget updates automatically.
If multiple clipping planes are active:
The list on the top of the widget let you choose which clipping plane to view.
Labels: Toggle measurement labels on/off.
Color Coding: Highlight elements with different colors for easier interpretation.
Part 3 – Creating Cross Sections (from 4:45)
The Cross Section Tool creates vertical clipping planes aligned with user-defined points.
1. Accessing Cross Section
Click the scissor icon on the left side menu.
Select Cross Section.
2. Creating a Cross Section
Select two points in the model.
A vertical clipping plane is created between them.
An arrow indicates the direction of view.
3. Viewing the Cross Section
The section opens instantly in the Cross Section Widget.
Options available:
Switch to 2D cross-section view by clicking the three dot menu.
Stay in 3D with the cross-section overlay active.