How To Use the 3D Viewer

Movement

How movement works on the keyboard/controller depends on what camera mode the 3D Viewer is currently set.  By default, the 3D Viewer is set to Helicopter mode (), which means the movement keys will move the viewer as if it's on a geometric plane.  For example, pressing the forward key will move the viewer forward. 

Movement for the mouse works the same for either camera mode.  If the cursor is currently the Select cursor (), middle-click and drag on the terrain will move the viewer proportional to how much the mouse is dragged.  If the cursor is the Pan cursor (), then a left-click and drag is all that is needed.

Changing View/Rotation

Changing the view of the viewer is accomplished through the mouse or the right stick on the controller.  It can also be done through the keyboard but the keys are unbound by default to discourage using the keyboard. 

To change the view with the mouse right-click and drag on the screen.  This only applies when the mouse cursor is visible.  If the view changes too little with the mouse drag then you can change the mouse sensitivity in the options.  When the mouse cursor is not visible there is no need to right-click, the view will change with mouse movement.  See Mouse Lock/Unlock for more information.

To change the view with a game controller, use the right stick. This only applies when the mouse cursor is not visible.  If the view changes too little with the right stick then you can change the controller sensitivity in the options.  When the cursor is visible the left stick controls the mouse.  See Mouse Lock/Unlock for more information.

Changing Elevation

To change the elevation with the mouse, scroll up to decrease in elevation, scroll down to increase in elevation.

Changing elevation with the keyboard or game controller depends on what camera mode the 3D Viewer is currently set.  By default the 3D Viewer is set to Helicopter mode (), in Helicopter mode elevation is changed by pressing the Elevation Up or Elevation Down keys.  In Airplane mode (), these keys are disabled, and to change elevation in this mode look in the direction you wish to ascend/descend.

Mouse Lock/Unlock

By default, the mouse is shown and it considered to be "unlocked".  The purpose of an unlocked mouse is to allow easy access to the buttons on the user interface. 

To make changing the view with the mouse less tedious, the mouse can be "locked" to the screen by pressing the Tab key.  This will hide the mouse cursor, but will no longer require the mouse to right-click to change view.