Navigation & View Control
Commands for navigating the 3D view, positioning the camera, and controlling view modes. These commands appear primarily in the Home and Interpretations ribbon tabs, with some also available in context-sensitive tabs.
Navigation Modes
Move Mode
Ribbon button: Move
Tooltip Switch to move mode for panning and zooming the view.
What it does Activates move mode, the primary navigation mode in VRGS. In move mode, left-click-drag pans the view (translates the camera horizontally), right-click-drag zooms in/out, and middle-click-drag rotates the view around the centre point. This mode is essential for exploring large point clouds, meshes, and geological models.
When to use it
- Navigating through large datasets (point clouds, meshes, geological models)
- Repositioning the view to frame specific features
- Moving between different areas of a model
- Default navigation mode for most visualization tasks
Notes
Press I to quickly toggle move mode on/off without accessing the ribbon.
Move mode is the most commonly used navigation mode. Alternative modes include Interrogate (for querying data) and Expert Mode (for advanced camera control with enhanced movement capabilities).
Interrogate
Ribbon button: Interrogate
Tooltip Activate interrogate mode to query point and mesh data.
What it does Activates interrogate mode, allowing you to click on points, mesh vertices, or triangles to display detailed information. When you click on a data element, VRGS shows coordinates (X, Y, Z), attribute values (if present), colour information, and object metadata in a popup or status panel. This is the primary tool for inspecting data properties.
When to use it
- Querying coordinates of specific points or vertices
- Inspecting attribute values (colour, intensity, classification, computed attributes)
- Examining mesh topology (triangle indices, normals)
- Verifying georeferencing accuracy
- Investigating data anomalies or features of interest
Notes Interrogate mode temporarily disables standard navigation (you cannot pan/zoom whilst interrogating). Click away from data or switch back to Move mode to resume navigation. The information displayed depends on the object type - point clouds show point properties, meshes show vertex/triangle data, and interpretations show measurement values.
Standard Mode
Ribbon button: Standard Mode
Tooltip Switch to standard navigation mode with basic camera controls.
What it does Activates standard navigation mode, providing basic camera controls suitable for most users. Standard mode uses simplified mouse interactions: left-click rotates around a fixed centre point, right-click zooms, and middle-click pans. This mode constrains camera movement to prevent disorienting navigation in complex 3D spaces.
When to use it
- Default navigation for most users
- When working with well-defined models with clear up/down orientation
- Preventing accidental camera flips or disorientation
- Teaching new users VRGS navigation
Notes Standard mode maintains a fixed "up" direction, preventing the view from becoming inverted. For more freedom of movement (including roll), use Expert Mode.
Expert Mode
Ribbon button: Expert Mode
Tooltip Switch to expert navigation mode with unrestricted camera movement.
What it does Activates expert navigation mode, providing unrestricted 6-degree-of-freedom camera movement. Expert mode allows full rotation including roll (tilting the horizon), useful for examining models from unusual angles or navigating inside complex structures. Mouse controls are more sensitive and allow complete freedom of orientation.
When to use it
- Examining overhanging structures or cave interiors
- Viewing models from non-standard orientations
- Navigating inside geological formations
- Advanced users comfortable with free-form camera movement
- VR-style exploration of 3D environments
Notes
Expert mode allows camera roll and arbitrary orientations, which can be disorienting if you lose track of "up". Use "Reset Rotations" or "Reset to North" to restore standard orientation if needed.
Expert mode is particularly useful when combined with FPV/Camera View (first-person perspective) for immersive exploration.
FPV/Camera View
Ribbon button: FPV/Camera View
Tooltip Switch to first-person view mode for immersive navigation.
What it does Activates first-person view (FPV) mode, also known as camera view or walk mode. The camera behaves like a first-person video game: mouse movement controls look direction, and keyboard controls (typically WASD or arrow keys) control movement forward/backward/left/right. This immersive mode is ideal for exploring models at human scale or navigating inside structures.
When to use it
- Exploring cave systems or building interiors
- Walking through geological outcrops at human scale
- Immersive visualization for presentations
- Navigating inside volumetric models
- VR-style exploration without VR hardware
Notes FPV mode changes the camera metaphor from "orbit around objects" to "move through environment". Movement speed can be adjusted via settings. Combine with Expert Mode for full 6-DOF movement including looking up/down without constraints. Press Esc or switch navigation modes to exit FPV mode.
VRGSEarth Mode
Ribbon button: VRGSEarth Mode
Tooltip Earth View Mode
What it does Activates VRGSEarth mode, an experimental navigation mode designed for global-scale models spanning large geographic areas (hundreds of kilometres). This mode uses spherical navigation suitable for planetary-scale visualisation, similar to Google Earth. The camera orbits the centre of the dataset with appropriate scaling for large extents.
When to use it
- Visualising regional or continental-scale geological models
- Working with satellite imagery or large GIS datasets
- Models spanning hundreds of kilometres or more
- Global reconstructions or planetary-scale visualisations
Notes
VRGSEarth Mode is experimental and optimised for very large geographic extents. For typical outcrop or site-scale models (metres to kilometres), use Standard or Expert mode instead.
This mode adjusts navigation sensitivity based on zoom level - movements are faster when zoomed out (viewing large areas) and slower when zoomed in (viewing details).
View Positioning
View From North
Ribbon button: North
Tooltip Position view looking south from the north.
What it does Instantly positions the camera looking horizontally from the north side of the model towards the south. The view is oriented with north at the camera position, south in the distance, east to the right, and west to the left. The camera is placed at an appropriate distance to frame the entire visible model.
When to use it
- Establishing a standard reference view orientation
- Viewing cross-sections perpendicular to north-south trends
- Comparing models in consistent orientations
- Setting up views for reports or presentations with north-reference
Notes This command assumes your model is georeferenced with correct north direction. If the model lacks georeferencing or uses an arbitrary coordinate system, "north" refers to the positive Y-axis direction. See also: South, East, West, Reset to North.
View From South
Ribbon button: South
Tooltip Position view looking north from the south.
What it does Instantly positions the camera looking horizontally from the south side of the model towards the north. This provides the opposite perspective from "View From North", useful for examining the southern aspect of geological features or structures.
When to use it
- Examining southern exposures or faces
- Viewing features that face north (and thus are best viewed from the south)
- Comparing with north-facing views
- Creating complementary viewpoints for analysis
Notes Combined with View From North, provides 180° opposing perspectives of the model. The camera maintains horizontal orientation (no tilt) unless you've previously rotated the view.
View From East
Ribbon button: East
Tooltip Position view looking west from the east.
What it does Positions the camera on the east side of the model looking horizontally towards the west. This orientation shows east-west trending features in profile and is perpendicular to north-south views.
When to use it
- Examining east-west cross-sections
- Viewing eastern exposures or faces
- Analysing strike directions for north-south trending features
- Creating orthogonal views to north-south perspectives
Notes East and West views are particularly useful for examining dip directions of north-south striking geological features like bedding planes, faults, or fold axes.
View From West
Ribbon button: West
Tooltip Position view looking east from the west.
What it does Positions the camera on the west side of the model looking horizontally towards the east. Provides the opposite perspective from "View From East", showing western exposures and aspects.
When to use it
- Examining western exposures or faces
- Viewing features that face east
- Complementing east-facing views
- Analysing structures from opposing perspectives
Notes West and East views together provide complete 180° opposing perspectives perpendicular to north-south views.
View From Above
Ribbon button: Above
Tooltip Position view looking down from above (plan view).
What it does Positions the camera directly above the model looking straight down, creating a plan view or map view. This orthogonal top-down perspective is ideal for examining spatial patterns, measuring map distances, and comparing with 2D maps or aerial imagery. The view is oriented with north typically upward (if model is georeferenced).
When to use it
- Creating plan-view maps or map comparisons
- Measuring horizontal distances and areas
- Examining spatial distribution patterns
- Comparing 3D models with 2D maps or orthophotos
- Identifying lateral geological trends
Notes
"Above" creates a true orthographic plan view if Ortho Camera mode is enabled. Without orthographic projection, it creates a perspective view from above which may show slight distortion at model edges.
Plan views are essential for structural geology (mapping fold patterns, fault traces) and spatial analysis.
View From Below
Ribbon button: Below
Tooltip Position view looking up from below.
What it does Positions the camera directly beneath the model looking straight up. This unusual perspective shows the underside of surfaces, useful for examining overhanging features, cave ceilings, or the base of geological structures. Essentially creates an inverted plan view.
When to use it
- Examining overhanging cliffs or cave ceilings
- Viewing the base of structures (building undersides, bridge decks)
- Inspecting mesh undersides for topology issues
- Visualising upward-facing surfaces (e.g., seafloor from below)
Notes "Below" view is less commonly used than other standard views but valuable for specific scenarios involving overhangs or inverted structures. Be aware that lighting may be unexpected from this angle (shadows typically assume light from above).
Centre In Model
Ribbon button: Centre In Model
Tooltip Centre the view on the active model's geometric centre.
What it does Repositions the camera to centre on the geometric centre (centroid) of all currently visible objects. The camera maintains its current orientation (viewing direction) but moves to place the model's centre point at the screen centre. Zoom distance is adjusted to frame the entire model comfortably.
When to use it
- Recentring after panning away from the model
- Framing the entire model in view
- Establishing a centred reference before rotating
- Recovering from navigation disorientation
Notes "Centre In Model" calculates the bounding box of all visible objects and centres on that region. If only some objects are visible (others hidden), it centres on the visible subset. This is similar to a "Frame All" or "Zoom Extents" command in other 3D software.
Reset View
Ribbon button: Reset View
Tooltip Reset view to frame all visible data.
What it does Resets the camera to a default isometric view that frames all currently visible objects. The camera is positioned at a 45° oblique angle from above and to one side, providing a standard 3D perspective view. Zoom, pan, and rotation are all reset to show the entire model clearly.
When to use it
- Returning to a neutral default view
- Framing all data after zooming in
- Starting point for exploration after loading new data
- Recovering from disorienting navigation
Notes Reset View is the most comprehensive view reset command - it affects camera position, orientation, and zoom. For more targeted resets, use "Reset Rotations" (resets only orientation) or "Centre In Model" (resets only position).
View Rotation
Reset to North
Ribbon button: Reset to North
Tooltip Reset view rotation to north-up orientation.
What it does Resets the view rotation so that north (or positive Y-axis) points upward on screen whilst maintaining your current zoom level and centre point. This removes any rotation you've applied via mouse dragging, restoring a standard north-up orientation common in maps and geological diagrams. Does not change camera position or zoom, only orientation.
When to use it
- Restoring standard north-up orientation after rotation
- Preparing views for export to maps or reports
- Ensuring consistent orientation across multiple views
- Recovering from disorienting rotation
Notes "Reset to North" assumes your model is georeferenced. For non-georeferenced models, it resets to align the Y-axis upward. This command is less comprehensive than "Reset Rotations" - it only removes azimuth rotation, not tilt.
Reset Rotations
Ribbon button: Reset Rotations
Tooltip Reset all view rotations to standard horizontal orientation.
What it does Resets all camera rotations, removing tilt (pitch), roll, and azimuth rotation. The camera returns to a standard horizontal orientation with the horizon level and north (Y-axis) upward. Unlike "Reset to North", this command also removes any tilt or roll, ensuring a completely level view. Camera position and zoom remain unchanged.
When to use it
- Recovering from disorienting rotation (especially after Expert Mode)
- Restoring level horizon after tilting
- Removing all rotation to start fresh
- Ensuring horizontal orientation for measurements
Notes
"Reset Rotations" is more comprehensive than "Reset to North" - it removes all rotation including tilt and roll, not just azimuth. Use this when your view has become disoriented in Expert Mode.
This command is particularly useful after using Expert Mode or FPV mode, which can leave the camera in unusual orientations.
Forward View
Ribbon button: Forward View
Tooltip Align view with forward direction (typically north).
What it does Orients the camera to look in the "forward" direction defined by the model or scene coordinate system. For georeferenced models, this typically means looking north (positive Y direction). The view is horizontal (level horizon) and positioned to frame visible objects. Effectively similar to "View From South" but maintains current camera position rather than repositioning.
When to use it
- Aligning view with model's primary axis
- Establishing a forward-facing perspective for FPV mode
- Restoring standard orientation without repositioning camera
Notes "Forward View" changes camera orientation but not position, whereas "View From South" repositions the camera to a specific location. Forward View is useful when you want to maintain your current position but look in the standard forward direction.
Nadir View
Ribbon button: Nadir View
Tooltip Tilt camera to nadir (looking straight down).
What it does Tilts the camera downward to look directly at the nadir (straight down, 90° tilt from horizontal). This creates an orthogonal top-down view similar to "View From Above" but from your current camera position rather than repositioning above the model. Useful for quickly switching to plan view without changing camera location.
When to use it
- Creating plan view from current camera position
- Examining the ground/surface directly below in FPV mode
- Quickly switching to top-down perspective
- Aerial photography simulation (overhead view)
Notes Nadir View maintains your current camera X-Y position but tilts to look straight down. This differs from "View From Above" which repositions the camera above the model centre. Nadir View is particularly useful in FPV/Walk mode for looking down at the terrain beneath you.
Camera Options
Target Zoom
Ribbon button: Target Zoom
Tooltip Enable target-based zooming focused on a specific point.
What it does Enables target zoom mode, where zoom operations (mouse wheel or right-click-drag) zoom toward/away from a specific target point rather than the current view centre. When enabled, clicking on an object sets that point as the zoom target, and subsequent zooms focus on that location. This allows precise zooming to specific features.
When to use it
- Zooming precisely to a specific feature or point of interest
- Examining small details without losing focus
- Maintaining focus on a target while zooming in deeply
- Precise navigation in cluttered scenes
Notes
With Target Zoom enabled, left-click on any visible object to set it as the zoom target. A marker may appear indicating the target point. Subsequent zoom operations will centre on this point.
Target Zoom remains active until disabled. To zoom to a different location, click on a new target point. This mode is particularly useful when examining small features in large models.
Ortho Camera
Ribbon button: Ortho Camera
Tooltip Toggle orthographic camera projection (parallel projection, no perspective).
What it does Toggles between perspective and orthographic camera projection. Perspective projection (default) shows objects smaller as they recede into the distance, creating a natural 3D view. Orthographic projection uses parallel projection with no foreshortening - objects appear the same size regardless of distance. Orthographic mode is essential for accurate measurements and technical drawings.
When to use it
- Making accurate distance measurements (perspective distorts distances)
- Creating plan views or engineering drawings
- Comparing dimensions across different depth planes
- Exporting views for CAD or technical documentation
- Eliminating perspective distortion for quantitative analysis
Notes
Always enable Ortho Camera when making precise measurements. Perspective projection causes apparent size to vary with distance, making measurements inaccurate unless objects are at the same depth.
Orthographic projection is standard in CAD, engineering, and architectural applications. Most geological mapping and cross-sections use orthographic views.
Auto Pan
Ribbon button: Auto Pan
Tooltip Enable automatic panning to follow selections or animations.
What it does Enables automatic panning mode where the view automatically moves to keep selected objects or animated elements centred in view. When you select an object in the project tree or data updates dynamically (e.g., during flight path animation), the camera pans to keep the active element visible. Useful for tracking moving elements or automatically framing selections.
When to use it
- Following flight path animations
- Automatically framing objects as you select them in the project tree
- Tracking dynamic elements during playback or simulation
- Keeping focus on changing elements without manual navigation
Notes Auto Pan can be disorienting if you're manually navigating while objects are being selected automatically. Disable this mode if you prefer manual control of view positioning. The automatic panning speed is typically configurable in settings.
Controller Integration
Game Controller
Ribbon button: Game Controller
Tooltip Enable game controller input for navigation.
What it does Enables navigation using a connected game controller (Xbox, PlayStation, or compatible gamepad). Controller input provides intuitive 3D navigation: left stick controls pan/move, right stick controls rotation/look direction, triggers control zoom, and buttons can be mapped to common commands. Game controller support is particularly useful for immersive exploration, presentations, or users comfortable with gaming controls.
When to use it
- Immersive exploration of 3D models
- Smooth, analog control of camera movement
- Presentations where keyboard/mouse are inconvenient
- VR-style navigation without VR hardware
- Users familiar with gaming controls
Notes
Connect your game controller (USB or Bluetooth) before enabling this mode. VRGS automatically detects most standard controllers (Xbox 360/One, PlayStation DualShock). Button mappings may be configurable in settings.
Game controllers provide analog input for smoother, more natural camera movement compared to keyboard/mouse digital input. Combine with FPV mode for console game-style exploration.
Full Screen
Ribbon button: Full Screen
Tooltip Toggle full-screen mode for immersive viewing.
What it does Toggles full-screen mode, expanding the 3D view to fill the entire screen by hiding the ribbon, project tree, and window borders. Full-screen mode maximises the viewing area for immersive exploration, presentations, or detailed examination of large models. Press Esc or F11 to exit full-screen mode.
When to use it
- Presentations and demonstrations
- Maximising view area for detailed examination
- Immersive exploration without UI distractions
- Capturing screenshots of the view without interface elements
- Working with large high-resolution displays
Notes Full-screen mode hides most UI elements but keyboard shortcuts remain active, allowing you to continue using common commands (navigation modes, visibility toggles, etc.). Exit full-screen to access ribbon commands or the project tree.
Laser Pointer
Ribbon button: Laser Pointer
Tooltip Enable laser pointer tool for presentations.
What it does Enables a laser pointer cursor visible in the 3D view, useful for presentations and demonstrations. When active, mouse movement controls a highlighted cursor (typically a red dot or crosshair) that appears over 3D objects in the view. This allows presenters to point out specific features to an audience without needing to navigate or modify the view.
When to use it
- Presentations and demonstrations
- Highlighting specific features during discussions
- Teaching and training sessions
- Collaborative review meetings
- Pointing out features without altering the view
Notes The laser pointer is purely visual - it doesn't interact with objects or change the view. It's designed for presentation scenarios where you want to indicate features without triggering commands or changing navigation. The pointer may be visible in screenshots or screen recordings.
Collision Detection
Ribbon button: Collision Detection
Tooltip Enable collision detection to prevent camera from passing through objects.
What it does Enables collision detection, preventing the camera from moving through solid objects (meshes, point clouds). When active, navigation stops when the camera would intersect geometry, creating a more realistic exploration experience similar to walking through a physical space. Particularly useful in FPV mode for exploring building interiors, caves, or confined spaces.
When to use it
- FPV exploration of enclosed spaces (buildings, caves)
- Realistic navigation simulations
- Preventing accidental camera movement through walls
- Training or demonstration scenarios requiring realistic movement
Notes
Collision detection performs geometric calculations for every camera movement, which may impact performance with very large or complex models (millions of triangles). Disable if navigation becomes sluggish.
Collision detection works best with closed, watertight meshes. Open meshes or point clouds may have gaps where the camera can pass through unexpectedly.
Navigation Tips
Related Commands:
- View positioning commands are also available via keyboard shortcuts - check Preferences for customizable shortcuts
- Most navigation commands maintain your current zoom level - only "Reset View" adjusts zoom automatically
- Navigation modes (Move, Interrogate, Expert, FPV) are mutually exclusive - activating one disables others
- Game Controller and keyboard navigation can be used simultaneously with mouse navigation
Performance Notes:
- Collision Detection impacts performance with large models - disable for large point clouds or detailed meshes if navigation is slow
- VRGSEarth Mode is optimised for very large extents and may behave unexpectedly at typical site scales
North
See View From North
South
See View From South
East
See View From East
West
See View From West
Above
See View From Above
Below
See View From Below
FPV Camera View
See FPV/Camera View for complete documentation of first-person view mode.