---
title: "Basic Tutorial | Understand meshes orientation"
slug: "cyclone-3dr-understand-meshes-orientation"
updated: 2026-09-07T11:51:46Z
published: 2026-09-07T11:51:46Z
canonical: "rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/cyclone-3dr-understand-meshes-orientation"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Basic Tutorial | Understand meshes orientation

> [!TIP]
> Open the file **FillHoles.3dr** ([download](https://www.cyclone3dr.com/download_helper.php?File=Cyclone3DRSampleData/FillHoles.3dr)).

In the software, the default color for meshes is gold. Select “4-Closed Mesh” and show only the mesh. Select it again, right click and then select **Properties**. Have a look at the volume, and if it is positive: everything is OK.

Now select the mesh and right click and select **Reverse**. The color will change to its opposite. Have a look again at the properties; the volume is now negative because normals are oriented inwards. Try to change the color of the mesh (select the mesh and right click and go to the **Color** menu). The mesh will not take the selected color (it will be an opposite color).

![image2016-5-27 14:54:3.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image2016-5-27%2014543.png)

On the left the normals are facing outwards; on the right the normals are facing inwards.