Instructions

The scene in the left frame includes two gray navigation bars, each of which has several buttons. Manipulating the 3D scene is accomplished by using these buttons. In addition, the various VRML scenes in both frames have text-related links that provide interactivity.

On the vertical bar, the upper two buttons are deactivated; they have no use in this application. The third button from the top is ordinarily active by default; you won’t need to use it. The “roll” and “goto” buttons are available, but not very useful in this application. The functions of the others are best learned by simply using them; select a button, then click and drag. Experiment with the simple scene below (red cube with Greek text). The “plan” button provides primarily for an in-out motion (up and down, respectively, with the mouse). This button can also for rotation about the vertical axis (left and right with the mouse). The “pan” button provides for an up-down and left-right motion. The “turn” button provides for rotation about the vertical and horizontal axes.

On the horizontal bar, the “align” and “fit” buttons have little use in this application. The “restore” button is useful if you have manipulated the scene using the buttons on the vertical bar and you want to retrieve the original configuration. In the middle of the horizontal bar, you will find two buttons to the right and left of the word “view.” These call certain predetermined viewpoints (available for some scenes).

In addition to the navigation bars, the scenes can be manipulated via customized links. Almost all of these are associated with text. Running the cursor over text shapes will cause a color change (blue) if there is an associated on-click event.

In many scenes, you will find a red “R” (for “Restore”) surrounded by a square border . This is used to get back to a prior configuration. In some scenes, you will also see a similar button with an “A,” This is used to produce an animation. Another button, a simulation of the original scene in the left frame, will act to restore that scene. There are various other such buttons. If you get lost, keep clicking the button until the button appears. Click that, and you will be taken back to the original scene.

Many buttons in the unified schematic will load graphics to the right frame. If the scenes are too large for the frame, drag the horizontal border inward.

Also, right click in the window below (with red cube). This will open the Cortona preferences menu. Select Preferences Renderer and then whichever option (Open GL or DirectX) that matches the corresponding functionality for your computer. If you aren’t sure which one applies, experiment to find the one that gives the best appearance for the VRML scenes. If the text shapes are not crisp, you will need to adjust your video settings to higher quality. Close this window when you are done with it; having multiple VRML windows open interferes with performance.