Using the 3D Navigate tool in ArcGlobe

The 3D Navigate tool Navigate is the most adaptable of the 3D navigation tools, incorporating functionality from several other tools, and will be the tool you use to navigate the 3D view much of the time.

In ArcGlobe, the 3D Navigate tool has two modes: Global and Surface. Global mode locks the target position to the center of the planet, creating a 2D top-down view that is very similar to the ArcMap experience. Surface mode allows the target position to move, creating a 3D oblique view of your data. You can toggle between the two modes by using the Navigation Mode Navigation Mode button on the Tools toolbar. Certain tools and navigation actions will also switch you out of one mode and into another automatically. When the Navigation Mode button is pushed in, ArcGlobe is in Globe mode.

Learn more about 3D navigation concepts

In both modes, clicking the left, middle, and right buttons and dragging up, down, left, or right allows you to rotate the view, zoom in, and zoom out. Other navigation functions, such as setting the target location, are exposed through the use of keyboard shortcuts. The wide variety of functions built into the 3D Navigate tool means it will most likely be the main navigation tool you use in ArcGlobe

Global Mode - Mouse navigation lookup table

Mouse

Action

Description

Replicates

Mouse Left Button

Hold and drag

Pivots the globe around the center of the earth

Note: this feels like Pan, looking directly down

Pan

Double-Click

(or CTRL-Click)

Re-centers the view over that point

Note: also switches view to Surface Mode

Center on Target

CTRL-SHIFT-Click

Enables / disables animated navigation

Mouse Middle Button

Hold and drag

Pans the view

Note: also switches view to Surface Mode

Pan

Spin scroll-wheel

Zooms In / Out (center of view)

Zoom In / Out

Mouse Right Button

Hold and drag

Zooms In / Out (center of view)

Zoom In / Out

Double-Click

(or CTRL-Click)

Centers and zooms into the clicked point

Note: also switches view to Surface Mode

Zoom to target

Learn more about navigating in Global Mode

Surface Mode - Mouse navigation lookup table

Mouse

Action

Description

Replicates

Mouse Left Button

Hold and drag

Pivots the view around the clicked point

Note: this feels like Pan, looking directly down

Double-Click

(or CTRL-Click)

Re-centers the view to look at the clicked point

Center on Target

CTRL-SHIFT-Click

Enables / disables animated navigation

Mouse Middle Button

Hold and drag

Pans across (moves the camera horizontally)

Pan

Hold and drag (+ hold SHIFT)

Pans up / down (moves the camera vertically)

CTRL-Click

Moves the camera location to the clicked point

Note: the target location does not change

Set Observer

Spin scroll-wheel

Zooms In / Out (center of view)

Zoom In / Out

Mouse Right Button

Hold and drag

Zooms In / Out on the clicked point

Double-Click

(or CTRL-Click)

Centers and zooms into the clicked point

Zoom to target

Learn more about navigating in Surface Mode

3/5/2014