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Camera Controls

Master the camera system to efficiently navigate both 2D and 3D views in Brain Visualizer. This guide covers all camera operations, navigation techniques, and shortcuts.

2D Camera (Circuit Builder)​

The Circuit Builder uses a 2D camera for navigating the node graph.

Panning (Moving the View)​

Mouse:

  • Middle Mouse Drag: Click and hold middle button, then move mouse
  • Shift + Left Mouse Drag: Hold Shift, click and hold left button, move mouse

Keyboard:

  • Arrow Keys: Move view in that direction
  • W/A/S/D: Alternative movement keys

Tips:

  • Pan smoothly for precision
  • Use keyboard for incremental adjustments
  • Combine with zoom for efficient navigation

Zooming​

Mouse:

  • Scroll Wheel Up: Zoom in (get closer)
  • Scroll Wheel Down: Zoom out (see more)

Keyboard:

  • Page Up: Zoom in
  • Page Down: Zoom out
  • +/-: Alternative zoom keys

Tips:

  • Zoom centers on mouse cursor position
  • Scroll gradually for fine control
  • Quick scroll for rapid zoom changes

Fit All​

Auto-frame all visible objects:

Method 1:

  • Right-click empty space
  • Select Fit All or Frame All

Method 2:

  • Press Home key (if bound)

Method 3:

  • Menu → View → Fit All

Use Cases:

  • Lost in large circuits
  • After creating many areas
  • Quick overview of entire circuit

Focus on Object​

Center view on specific object:

Method 1:

  1. Select cortical area or region
  2. Press F key

Method 2:

  1. Use top toolbar dropdowns (Inputs/Circuits/Outputs)
  2. Select area from list
  3. View auto-focuses

Method 3:

  • Right-click object → Focus

3D Camera (Brain Monitor)​

The Brain Monitor uses a 3D camera with full six-degree-of-freedom movement.

Rotation (Orbit)​

Rotate camera around focus point:

Mouse:

  • Left Mouse Drag: Click and hold left button, move mouse
    • Left/Right: Rotate horizontally (yaw)
    • Up/Down: Rotate vertically (pitch)

Keyboard:

  • Arrow Keys: Rotate camera
    • Left/Right: Horizontal rotation
    • Up/Down: Vertical rotation

Tips:

  • Camera orbits around point of interest
  • Combined with pan for full control
  • Smooth movements for best view

Panning (Lateral Movement)​

Move camera sideways without rotating:

Mouse:

  • Middle Mouse Drag: Click and hold middle button, move mouse
  • Shift + Left Mouse Drag: Hold Shift, click and hold left button, move mouse

Keyboard:

  • A/D: Move left/right
  • Q/E: Move up/down

Tips:

  • Use to reposition without changing angle
  • Combine with rotation for complex navigation
  • Good for framing specific views

Zooming (Forward/Backward)​

Move camera closer or farther:

Mouse:

  • Scroll Wheel Up: Move forward (zoom in)
  • Scroll Wheel Down: Move backward (zoom out)
  • Right Mouse Drag: Drag up to zoom in, down to zoom out

Keyboard:

  • W/S: Move forward/backward
  • Page Up/Down: Alternative zoom

Tips:

  • Use to get close for details
  • Pull back for overview
  • Combines with rotation for orbiting

Focus on Object​

Auto-frame cortical areas or regions:

Method 1:

  1. Click on a cortical area volume
  2. Camera smoothly transitions to frame it

Method 2:

  1. Select area in Circuit Builder
  2. Press F key
  3. Both views focus

Method 3:

  1. Use top toolbar dropdowns
  2. Select area or region
  3. Camera focuses and flashes indicator

Transition:

  • Smooth animation to target
  • Maintains approximate angle
  • Adjusts distance to frame object

Free Flight Mode​

Unrestricted camera movement:

Enable:

  • Hold Shift while moving
  • Camera moves in view direction

Controls:

  • W: Forward in view direction
  • S: Backward in view direction
  • A/D: Strafe left/right
  • Q/E: Move up/down in world space

Use Cases:

  • Flying through complex structures
  • Cinematic views
  • Exploring large genomes

Reset View​

Return to default position:

Method:

  • Press Home key
  • OR Menu → Camera → Reset
  • OR Re-focus on main region

Default View:

  • Shows entire genome
  • Standard orientation
  • Appropriate zoom distance

Camera Settings​

Customize camera behavior:

Access Settings​

  1. Click Options in top toolbar
  2. Navigate to Camera section
  3. Adjust preferences

Available Settings​

Movement Speed:

  • Faster: Navigate large genomes quickly
  • Slower: Precise positioning and fine control
  • Adjustable per axis (X, Y, Z)

Rotation Sensitivity:

  • Higher: Quick rotation with small movements
  • Lower: Smooth, controlled rotation
  • Separate horizontal and vertical sensitivity

Zoom Speed:

  • Fast: Rapid in/out transitions
  • Slow: Gradual zoom for precision

Inertia:

  • Enabled: Camera continues moving after release (smooth)
  • Disabled: Camera stops immediately (precise)

Smoothing:

  • Amount of motion smoothing
  • Reduces jitter
  • More natural feel

Field of View (FOV):

  • Wider: See more, fish-eye effect
  • Narrower: Telephoto, focused view
  • Typical: 60-90 degrees

Advanced Navigation​

Waypoints​

Save and return to positions:

Using Camera Animations:

  1. Position camera at desired view
  2. Open Camera Animations window
  3. Save current position as animation
  4. Play animation to return

See Camera Animations for details.

Quick Positions​

Keyboard shortcuts for common views:

Front View: Top toolbar → Camera → Front Top View: Top toolbar → Camera → Top Side View: Top toolbar → Camera → Side Isometric: Top toolbar → Camera → Isometric

(If available in your version)

Multi-Monitor Setup​

Use split views on multiple screens:

  1. Open multiple Brain Monitor tabs
  2. Drag tabs to separate windows
  3. Move windows to different monitors
  4. Navigate independently

Exploring New Genome​

  1. Start zoomed out: Get overview with Fit All
  2. Identify regions: Note spatial organization
  3. Focus on region: Use dropdowns to navigate
  4. Explore details: Zoom in on specific areas
  5. Return to overview: Press Home or Fit All

Working on Specific Area​

  1. Use dropdowns: Navigate directly to area
  2. Focus (F key): Frame the area
  3. Zoom in: Get close for details
  4. Isolate in tab: Open region in dedicated 3D tab

Comparing Areas​

  1. Split View: See two areas side-by-side
  2. Or Toggle: Focus on one, remember position, focus on other
  3. Or Tabs: Open each in separate tab

Presenting/Demonstrating​

  1. Plan route: Decide what to show
  2. Save waypoints: Use camera animations
  3. Practice: Play through sequence
  4. Present: Smooth navigation with saved paths

See Camera Animations for demo techniques.

Touch and Tablet Support​

If using a touch device:

Gestures:

  • One finger drag: Rotate camera
  • Two finger drag: Pan camera
  • Pinch: Zoom in/out
  • Double tap: Focus on object

Stylus:

  • Stylus functions as mouse
  • Use stylus buttons for middle/right-click

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference​

Circuit Builder (2D)​

  • Arrow Keys: Pan view
  • Page Up/Down: Zoom in/out
  • Home: Fit all
  • F: Focus on selected
  • Shift + Drag: Pan with mouse

Brain Monitor (3D)​

  • W/S: Move forward/backward
  • A/D: Move left/right
  • Q/E: Move up/down
  • Arrow Keys: Rotate camera
  • Page Up/Down: Zoom in/out
  • Home: Reset camera
  • F: Focus on selected
  • Shift + WASD: Free flight mode

Tips for Efficient Navigation​

In Circuit Builder​

  1. Use dropdowns for long distances: Faster than panning
  2. Fit All frequently: Regain orientation
  3. Focus shortcuts: Quick navigation to specific objects
  4. Tabs: Keep important views open

In Brain Monitor​

  1. Click to focus: Fastest way to target
  2. Orbit around focus: Use rotation after focusing
  3. Save positions: Use camera animations for important views
  4. Split View: Work with 2D and 3D simultaneously

General​

  1. Learn keyboard shortcuts: Much faster than mouse-only
  2. Customize speeds: Adjust to your preference
  3. Use the right tool: Dropdown vs manual navigation
  4. Practice: Muscle memory makes navigation effortless

Troubleshooting​

"Camera moves too fast/slow"

  • Adjust camera speed in Options
  • Use keyboard for fine control
  • Scroll gradually for smooth zoom

"Lost my position"

  • Press Home to reset
  • Use Focus (F) on any object
  • Use dropdowns to navigate to known regions

"Can't see what I'm looking for"

  • Use Fit All to see everything
  • Try different zoom levels
  • Check you're in the correct region/tab
  • Use Search or dropdowns to find objects

"Camera feels sluggish"

  • Disable inertia in Options
  • Reduce smoothing amount
  • Check system performance
  • Close unnecessary tabs

"Camera jumps or jitters"

  • Enable smoothing in Options
  • Check mouse/trackpad settings
  • Reduce sensitivity
  • Ensure stable input device

"Can't rotate in 3D"

  • Ensure you're clicking on background (not object)
  • Try arrow keys instead
  • Check camera isn't locked (if feature exists)
  • Reset camera and try again

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