Navigation Modes

instant3Dhub’s webvis provides several navigation modes to support different workflows and user backgrounds. Each mode defines how the camera behaves, how users interact with the scene, and which movement constraints apply. All navigation modes operate by manipulating the camera around the model, using functions such as setViewMatrix, setProjectionMatrix, and setCenterOfRotation provided by the ViewerAPI.

Note

The controls below use the following abbreviations:

• LMB = Left Mouse Button

• RMB = Right Mouse Button

• MMB = Middle Mouse Button (scroll wheel click).

WEBVIS

This is the default navigation mode in webvis, designed for general 3D exploration and model inspection.

• Orbit around a Center of Rotation

• Rotate, pan, and zoom using pointer input

• Zoom direction follows the cursor position

• Smooth dolly movement along the viewing direction

Controls

• Rotation: Hold LMB + drag

• Translation (Pan): Hold MMB + drag

• Zoom (continuous): Hold RMB + drag vertically

• Zoom (incremental): Scroll wheel

• Set pivot: Double-click LMB on a surface to set a new Center of Rotation

• Rotation Center: Defaults to model center; updated on double-click

D_CAD

This is a Catia-style navigation mode for users familiar with Catia applications.

• CAD-style orbit, pan, and zoom

• Familiar interaction patterns for engineers

Controls

• Translation (Pan): Hold MMB + drag

• Zoom: Hold MMB, then single-click LMB or RMB + drag vertically

• Rotation: Hold MMB + hold LMB or RMB + drag

• Set pivot: Set manually via context menu

• Rotation Center: Set explicitly via context menu; not updated automatically

TURNTABLE

This navigation mode enables orbit navigation with clamped movement of the camera in the vertical direction.

• Rotation around a fixed up-axis

• Vertical tilt is limited but full 360° horizontal rotation

• Limits configurable via the ViewerSettingStrings

Controls

Largely identical to WEBVIS, with rotation constrained to keep the model’s vertical axis aligned with the world up-axis.

• Rotation: Hold LMB + drag — vertical axis stays fixed

• Translation (Pan): Hold MMB + drag

• Zoom (continuous): Hold RMB + drag vertically

• Zoom (incremental): Scroll wheel

• Set pivot: Double-click LMB on a surface to set a new Center of Rotation

• Rotation Center: Defaults to model center; re-defined via double-click. Vertical tilt is clamped (configurable via ViewerSettingStrings).

FLY

This navigation mode allows free camera navigation through the scene.

• Controlled by keyboard input and mouse movement

• Similar to first-person navigation

• Explore large scenes or position your camera freely

Controls

• Movement: W A S D keys — first-person style

• Speed boost: Hold Shift while moving

• Default speed: Configurable via ViewerSettingStrings

XR_TURNTABLE

This navigation mode is optimized for Augmented Reality and is only available when running on an AR capable device.

• Scene aligned with real-world gravity

• Horizontal gesture: rotate scene

• Vertical gesture: zoom

• Rotation center based on scene volume

Related

NavigationMode

Reference documentation for the NavigationMode enum in the webvis API.

ViewerAPI

Reference documentation for the ViewerAPI in the webvis API.

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