Navigating in surface mode

In ArcScene, surface mode is the only navigation mode. As your most likely means for navigation in ArcScene, it helps provide a perspective view of your data and easier navigation when near the surface.

In surface mode, the Navigate tool allows you to rotate around the surface target, zoom in and out, and pan. The surface is always toward the bottom of the viewer to simulate the effect of gravity.

To familiarize yourself navigating ArcScene in surface mode, use the following steps.

Steps:
  1. Click the Navigate Navigate button on the Tools toolbar.
  2. Hold down the CTRL key and click the location in the scene where you want to set your target and center the view.
  3. The point you clicked is centered in the view.

  4. Click the 3D view and drag it to the right. This rotates the data counterclockwise around a vertical axis through the target location.
  5. Right-click the 3D view and drag down. This zooms in toward the target location. This is the same functionality as the 3D Zoom In/Out tool.
    • The 3D Zoom In/Out tool is also exposed with the mousewheel (if your mouse has one).
    • You can change the mouse wheel direction of the zoom on the General tab of the Customize > ArcScene Options dialog box.
  6. Other options in Surface mode include

    Look to a new target

    To do this you can either:

    Zoom to a new target

    To do this you can either:

    Pan across the 3D view

    To do this you can either:

    • clicking and dragging the middle mouse button
    • Use the3D Pan tool
ArcScene mouse navigation lookup table
3/5/2014