Navigation Modes

This page describes the navigation modes of VRweb. You can switch among them by pressing the appropriate button in the toolbar or using the accelerator keys F4 - F8.

Every time you switch the navigation mode you get a short one-line message in the status line describing the functions of the mode. If the line is too long for reading you can scroll it with the middle mouse button.

Note: If your mouse has no 3rd button, the mouse driver of your X-server will emulate the middle one when pressing both mouse buttons simultaneously.

For complementary navigation tools and options see page Navigation Techniques.

Flip Mode

Use the flip mode for examination of objects. You manipulate the object whereas the viewpoint remains stationary.

The left mouse button controls translation.
The object will follow the mouse cursor.
The middle mouse button controls rotation.
You can rotate the object horizontally and vertically. All rotations are performed around the center of the object.
The right mouse button is used for zooming.
Drag it down to zoom in (move object towards you) or up to zoom out.

Tip: To examine details of objects use the fly to tool. After having set a point of interest, it serves as roation center with control+middle mouse button in flip mode.

You may also rotate around the center of the selected object (shift+click) by dragging with shift+middle mouse button in flip mode.

Walk Mode

The walk mode is designed for navigation in scenes. Beginners may prefer to use the heads up mode instead. The point where you press the mouse button is marked by a cross and is used as the origin for speed controls (unless you turn off the option velocity control).

The left mouse button is used for walking forwards/backwards by dragging the mouse up or down, in combination with a sideways motion to the left or right.
The middle mouse button is used for up and down motion (elevation/delevation) and sideways stepping.
The right mouse button is used to turn the view. You can turn your eyes up and down and to the sides. It also determines the direction of subsequent navigation.

Fly Mode

The fly mode simulates flying through the world with an aeroplane. The bar on the right side indicates your current flying speed, the position of the airplane cursor relative to the cross in the middle indicates your flight direction.

The left mouse button is used for starting and stopping the flight. To start flying, press the mouse button in the center region of the cross. It is possible to stop anywhere, causing the speed to be set back to zero.
The middle and right mouse buttons are used for speed control. Press the middle mouse button to increase speed and the right one to decrease speed. As long as your speed is zero you turn your direction without changing your viewing position. Flying backward is possible by decreasing the speed below zero.
The flight direction is controlled by the position of the mouse cursor. As long as you keep the mouse within the center region you will fly in a straight line.

Heads Up

The heads up mode is very simple to use. Icons superimposed on the scene show you the possible actions. All navigation can be done using the left mouse button only. Drag the mouse out of an icon and you perform the appropriate motion.

The eyes icon controls the viewing direction. Use it to turn your eyes up and down and to the sides.
The body icon is used for walking through the scene. Up/down corresponds to forward and backward motion, combined with sideward motion to the left or right.
The arrows icon is used for up and down motion (elevation/delevation) and sideways stepping.
The cross hair icon is used to activate the fly to mode temporarily (indicated by a change of the cursor shape). You can switch back to heads up with a double click.

If you get more experienced (or if you find the icons annoying), the walk mode offers you the same possibilities: walking (left), panning (middle), and looking (right).

Fly To

The fly to mode is an additional tool for examining details in the scene. A point of interest can be approached rapidly but in a controlled manner. The target point can also be used as rotation center for the flip mode.

Set the point of interest by clicking in the scene with the left mouse button. The target point will be indicated with a cross hair. You can also drag the mouse to move the point of interest around.
Use the middle or right mouse button to move towards or away from the point of interest respectively. The motion is done logarithmically for fast and controlled approach as long as you hold down the mouse button. You stop motion by releasing the mouse button.
Hold the shift key together with the middle mouse button to approach the surface on the normal vector. You arrive looking straight into the point of interest. Move back the same way using the right mouse button.
Hold the control key to perform a rotation only. You gradually get a view where the point of interest is centered on the window, looking straight onto the surface, and keeping the original distance from it constant.

Tip: scene creators interested in actual 3D coordinates may hold down the meta (alt) key while setting the point of interest; the coordinate and normal vector of the hitpoint are written to the terminal (world coordinate system).

Back to overview.