Problem description

In some cases, the display of the PLAXIS 2D 2017.01 drawing area does not get updated anymore when zooming in or out. This makes the interaction with the model’s visualization difficult.

The issue is caused by tunnel arc segments that are of a relatively small size to which a distributed load is assigned. In this case, the data sent to the drawing area for the visualization is not correct and as a result, the drawing area will not be updated after initial drawing.
As a consequence:

• you will not be able to zoom in or out in the model view;
• selecting points, lines or polygons in the drawing area seems not to work.

Note: The data model of the project is still intact: it is only the visualization of the model that does not work properly.

Solution

This issue is now resolved in PLAXIS 2D 2018.00

When using PLAXIS 2D 2017.01:

When switching modes, the complete geometry is redrawn and the model appears properly on screen. So, if you zoom in when in Structures mode, switch to Soil mode and back to Structures mode to get the updated zoom level.

When dealing with a lot of tunnel models with these relatively small arc segments that cause the described issue, users are advised to update to PLAXIS 2D 2018.00, or downgrade to PLAXIS 2D 2017.00 in order to have a fluent workflow.