Form: Set Building View Limits
Use the View menu > Set Building View Limits command to display the Set Building View Limits form and set the limits for a view. When the view limits are set, only objects that lie entirely inside of the view limits are displayed. The view limits affect objects only; they have no effect on the grid lines, which still display in their entirety.
The Set Building View Limits form can be used to specify X-axis (Set X Axis Limits), Y-axis (Set Y Axis Limits) and story level (Z-axis) limits. The story level limits are set by specifying a top story level and a bottom story level from the Top Story and the Bottom Story drop-down lists in the Set Story Range area of the form.
Two methods are available for specifying the X- and Y-axis limits.
Type minimum and maximum X and Y coordinates in the edit boxes in the Set X Axis Limits and Set Y Axis Limits areas of the form respectively.
Graphically set the limits in the small plan view area of the form. In the Plan Limits area, there is a box with selection handles on the four sides superimposed over a plan view of the structure. The box defines the view limits. Modify the size and location of the box as follows:
Left click on one of the selection handles on the sides of the box, and while holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to resize the box.
Left click inside the box, and while holding down the left mouse button, drag the box to a new location.
Show All buttons. Each of the three areas of the form has a Show All button. After adjusting the view limits, click this button to restore the full view in the associated areas. For example, if the Show All button in the Set X Axis Limits area of the form is clicked, the full view along the X axis is restored.
Ignore Limits check box. Check the Ignore Limits check box and ETABS will display the entire model. This check box can be used to "toggle" between the set limits and the full model display.