# Make an object wireframe or transparent, to see through an object

**URL:** https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-an-object-wireframe-or-transparent-to-see-through-an-object/27385
**Category:** Modeling Questions
**Created:** [August 18, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-an-object-wireframe-or-transparent-to-see-through-an-object/27385 "2023-08-18T14:12:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![five](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@five](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/five)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-an-object-wireframe-or-transparent-to-see-through-an-object/27385/1 "2023-08-18T14:12:32Z")

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I’m working on a small mechanical knife, and I need to see the extends of the surrounding frame at all times to make sure the parts will fit inside. I am using the free plan.

Currently, I just hide the frame so I can see the parts inside, or I will zoom in and fight the camera to get a good look at whatever I’m working on.

**I’m imagining there’s some way to make objects slightly transparent so I can see where they are but work through them on internal parts.** The isolate feature is good for working on one part at a time, but not fitting parts together.

The frame of the knife and the smaller parts inside:

 ![Screenshot 2023-08-18 at 9.11.11 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/c/3/c3c96d69b1765a20bd1247b1a87acaca48e698d8.jpeg)

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### Author: ![five](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@five](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/five)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-an-object-wireframe-or-transparent-to-see-through-an-object/27385/2 "2023-08-18T15:41:11Z")

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Using `View -> Show Hidden Edges`, I am able to get a wireframe of objects, that helps a ton. Not transparent, but I would say it’s all you really need, so I’m pretty happy with it.

 ![Screenshot 2023-08-18 at 10.40.04 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/3/2/322ca1109464c8cd552ee2ea39eb7bea1f94583a.jpeg)

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### Author: ![five](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@five](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/five)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/make-an-object-wireframe-or-transparent-to-see-through-an-object/27385/3 "2023-08-18T15:43:03Z")

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So I can see how to make it transparent if I use Visualize, but in order to work with the model while parts have become transparent, I would need the Pro plan to keep the material changes. Making a part transparent shouldn’t be part of the Pro plan, in my opinion.