> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual-2.karamba3d.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual-2.karamba3d.com/2-getting-started/2-getting-started-1/setting-up-a-structural-analysis/2.2.2-view-the-model.md).

# 2.2.2: View the Model

There are three components for controlling how a model is displayed in the Rhino viewport:

|                 |                                                                                                                                                |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **“ModelView”** | sets the general display properties. These are stored in the model and stay valid until overwritten by a downstream **“ModelView”**-component. |
| **“BeamView”**  | lets you control the display properties specific for beams. Renders e.g. the cross section as a mesh.                                          |
| **“ShellView”** | contains the display-settings for shells.                                                                                                      |

Fig. 2.2.2.1 shows how the **“ModelView”**- and **“BeamView”**-component can be combined for rendering the beam model. In order to unfold the viewing components click on the black section headings on the components. In the **“Tags”** section of **“ModelView”** the **“Elements”** checkbox is on by default. This enables the display of the element's middle axis. When activated, the **“Node tags”**-option makes the node numbers show up. The nodes in a Karamba3D model are numbered starting with zero. The same applies to model elements. Showing their identifiers via **“Element Ids”** is sometimes more useful.

![ Fig. 2.2.2.1: “ModelView”- and “BeamView”-components are used to display a model](/files/-MCkEZPTDWIyk1wwOBHB)

In case of more than one element the **“Assemble”**-component rigidly connects them if their nodes coincide. If working with imprecise geometry this can give unexpected results: although two elements may appear connected, there could be in fact inaccuracies in the node positions. A gap in a model usually has a large impact on its physical behavior. Enabling the display of node indexes can help to find such gaps, since there will be two node numbers in one place.
