Copyright: © 1998 Superscape Ltd. All rights reserved.
Citation: © 1998 Superscape Ltd. All rights reserved.


What is Viscape?

Viscape gives you complete freedom to move around and interact with 3D worlds within Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. You can interact directly with objects within each world using the mouse, and use linked objects to jump to any URL address specified by the world designer.

If a Web page contains a 3D world (*.SVR file), Viscape is launched automatically if it is installed. To open a file on a local drive you must choose File>File Open in your Web browser or drag-and-drop the .SVR file onto the browser window or executable.

You can move around a world by clicking-and-dragging on the icons in the Movement Bar, using the mouse in movement mode or a proportional device such as a joystick or Magellan (Spacemouse). You can also jump to preset viewpoints in a world.

The Options Bar lets you configure devices (such as a joystick or Spacemouse), set display options, and access additional Viscape functions.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To use the Movement Bar to move around a world

You can change the position of your viewpoint using the icons in the Movement Bar. Click on the graphic below to display further information on each icon.

Click and hold the left mouse button on one of the three movement icons, and then drag the mouse. As you drag the mouse the icon indicates the direction you are moving, and the viewpoint moves in the corresponding direction. The further you move the cursor from the icon the faster you move. Release the mouse to stop the movement.

You can move faster by pressing the following keys as you drag the icons:

SHIFT x2 speed	CTRL x3 speed	SHIFT+CTRL x4 speed
The three icons on the right let you reset the world to its default viewpoint, level the world, and display the Options Bar that provides access to additional Viscape functions. If these icons are not visible, increase the size of the browser window or frame that contains Viscape to display the Options Bar.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


Click-and-drag the mouse forward to move forward, back to move back, left to turn to the left, and right to turn to the right.


Click-and-drag the mouse forward to move up, back to move down, left to move left and right to move right.


Click-and-drag the mouse forward to look up, and back to look down.


Click to set the viewpoint so that you are looking straight ahead, level with the ground.


Click to display a list of preset viewpoints that you can choose from. Click the left arrow to select the previous preset viewpoint, or the right arrow to select the next.


Click to display a Options Bar that you can use to access the Viscape pop-up menu and additional functions. Use the Pin icon on the Options bar to fix it on screen.


Click to select the next preset viewpoint.


Click to fix the Options Bar on the screen. If the bar is pinned on the screen, click the pin to close it.


Click to reset the world to its original position.


Click to display the Viscape pop-up menu.


Click to go to the Virtual World Wide Web.


   Menu icon


   Pin icon


   Options Bar icon


To display the Options Bar

To position the Options Bar

To jump to preset viewpoints

To use the pop-up menu


To display the Options Bar

Click the Options Bar icon in the Movement Bar to display a Options Bar that lets you access the Viscape pop-up menu as well as the Reset World, Level World and Select Viewpoint functions.

For details on each icon on the Options Bar click on the graphic below:

To fix the Options Bar on the screen, drag the mouse cursor over the Pin icon.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To position the Options Bar

Once you have pinned the Options Bar to the screen, you can position it anywhere on the screen by clicking-and-dragging on the bar background. The Level World, Reset World and Select Viewpoint functions and pop-up menu are available wherever you position the Options Bar.

Click the Pin icon again to close the Options Bar.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To adjust the mouse movement setup

You can adjust the following options for mouse movement:

Position - the position of the Mouse Home on the screen.

Sensitivity - how much force you need to apply to the mouse to move.

Switch - how you switch between movement and selection modes.

Axes - the direction you move the viewpoint as you you move the mouse.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To use the mouse to move around a world

When you start Viscape, the mouse is set to selection mode which lets you select items by clicking on them. If you press the SPACEBAR once, a small square (known as the Mouse Home) is displayed at the tip of the mouse pointer indicating that you are in movement mode. Now you can move around the world by moving the mouse. The direction that you move depends on whether you are moving just the mouse or holding down the left or right mouse button at the same time.

When the mouse pointer is over the top of the Mouse Home any movement stops.

To switch back to selection mode press the SPACEBAR.

Note: If the Mouse Home does not appear when you press the SPACEBAR, click the left mouse button inside Viscape (and not on the browser) to make it the active program. Now press the SPACEBAR again.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


Mouse movement with no buttons pressed.


Mouse movement with the left button pressed.


Mouse movement with the right button pressed.


To adjust the Mouse Home position

You can adjust how the Mouse Home is displayed and the default position.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Devices tab.

3.	Select Proportional: Mouse Movement from the devices list.

4.	Select one of the Mouse Home radio buttons.

Floating - sets the Home Position to the point where the tip of the mouse cursor is when you switch to movement mode.

Centered - sets the Home Position to the center of the screen.

5.	Set the Home Visible check box to visible or invisible.

Checked - the Mouse Home is shown as a small square in the viewing area.

Unchecked - the Mouse Home is not visible.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To adjust the sensitivity of the mouse

You can adjust the speed at which you move around a world by changing the sensitivity of the mouse in movement mode.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Devices tab.

3.	Select Proportional: Mouse Movement from the devices list.

The current device setup is displayed.

4.	Adjust the Movement Sensitivity slider.

The further the slider is to the right, the more the mouse position is scaled as you move it away from its home position and the faster you move in the world.

5.	Adjust the Rotation Sensitivity slider.

The further the slider is to the right, the more the mouse position is scaled as you move it away from its home position and the faster you rotate in the world.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To set the way that you switch to mouse movement mode
To set the way that you switch to movement mode

You can change the way you switch between movement and selection modes, depending on the type of mouse that you are using.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Devices tab.

3.	Select Proportional: Mouse Movement from the devices list.

4.	Select the transition method from the Mode Change list box that you want to use to switch between selection and movement modes:

Key or center button - Pressing the SPACEBAR, or clicking the center mouse button on a three button mouse.

Keyboard - Pressing the SPACEBAR.

Center button (Hold) - Clicking and holding the center mouse button on a three button mouse. Releasing the button switches back to selection mode.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To set the axes for mouse movement
To change the axes for mouse movement

You can change the direction you move or rotate the viewpoint as you move the mouse in movement mode, by assigning different functions to the six basic axes of movement.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Devices tab.

3.	Select Proportional: Mouse Movement from the devices list and then click Functions.

4.	Select Move or Select for the Left Mouse Button and the Right Mouse Button.

Move - moves or rotates the viewpoint in one of the axes.

Select - the mouse acts as it does in selection mode.

5.	Select a movement option from the six list boxes for each mouse movement. The top row of list boxes set the sideways movement of the mouse and the bottom row set the forward and backward movement.

Move X, Move Y, Move Z - moves the viewpoint in each axis.

Rotate X, Rotate Y, Rotate Z - rotates the viewpoint in each axis.

These options are only effective if you select Move in Step 5.

6.	Select Relative or Absolute below each movement option.

Relative - the distance of the mouse pointer from the home position determines the speed of rotation of movement.

Absolute - the distance of the mouse from the home position determines the absolute orientation or position of the viewpoint.

For example, holding the mouse stationary in Relative mode might rotate at a constant speed, while in Absolute mode it would keep the viewpoint at a constant orientation.

Note: You can set the buttons to their default setup by clicking Restore.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To use the mouse to move around a world

To adjust the mouse movement setup

To use a proportional device to move around a world

Proportional device configurations

To set up devices

To change the control type of a proportional device


To use proportional devices to move around a world

Proportional devices, such as the Magellan (Spacemouse) and joystick, are the main control devices for 3D worlds. Each device has (or emulates in some way) six basic axes of operation, X, Y and Z translational motion and X, Y, Z rotations. In a ‘normal’ setup the Z+ axis translational movement defines forward movement and the Y- axis rotational movement defines an anti-clockwise spinning in the vertical axis.

Each device has a control type configuration that dictates how the viewpoint moves when you use it. Viscape lets you choose from 10 preset proportional device configurations which should be sufficient to cover most applications. If they are not entirely suitable, however, you can fine tune the configuration to match the requirements of particular viewpoints and object control. You can:

redefine the number of axes the device can operate in simultaneously;

adjust the sensitivity and deadzone of the device in each axis.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


Proportional device configurations

Viscape is supplied with ten basic device configurations, each with four levels of sensitivity. Each configuration is designed to restrict the axes of operation that are not required and adjust the sensitivity of the required axes.

Car Cntl	Lets you control and 'drive' car type objects.

Fly Cntl	Provides total control over an object.

Fly No Z	Same as Fly Cntl but with no object tilt.

Man Cntl	Lets you control and 'walk' humanoid type objects.

Plane Cntl	Lets you control and 'fly' aeroplane type objects.

View Move	Provides total control over the viewpoint.

View No Z	Same as View Move but with no viewpoint tilt.

View Spin	Moves a viewpoint around an object.

View Stat	Provides control from a stationary viewpoint. It only has movement in the three rotational axes.

View Walk	Where vertical movement or tilt is not required.

Note: You can use the four User Types to define your own control type configuration.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To set up devices

The default installation of Viscape assumes that you have no devices other than the keyboard and mouse connected to your system. If you have an additional device, such as a joystick or Magellan (Spacemouse), you must configure the Viscape software before you can use the device.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Devices tab.

3.	Scroll through the devices list until you find your device, and select it.

The current state of the device is displayed - Enabled or Disabled.

4.	If the device is disabled, select the Enable button to enable it.

The current settings for the device are displayed below the scroll box.

5.	Enter the necessary details, referring to the documentation supplied with the device.

6.	Repeat Steps 3 to 5 for each additional device.

7.	Click OK.

If you want to save any changes that you make to your setup so that devices use the new configuration when you start Viscape again, you must save the Viscape preferences file. Click on Other Topics for further details.

Note: To configure devices that are Windows resources, such as your graphics card or sound card, you must use the Windows Control Panel Application.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the control type of a proportional device

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Proportional Control Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Select the device that you want to edit by clicking the correct tab at the top of the dialog box. If you are using one proportional device, you only need to edit Device 1.

3.	Click Select and click a configuration from the Proportional Control Type list.

Note: If there is no control type that fits your requirements, select one of the User Types and set the number of simultaneous axes, sensitivity and deadzone for the device in each axis.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the number of simultaneous axes
To change the number of simultaneous axes for a proportional device

Defines how many axes (1 to 6) the proportional device may operate in simultaneously. When set to 1, only the axis with the greatest force applied passes information to the 3D world at any one time. When this field is set to 6, information from all the axes affects the viewpoint or object.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Proportional Control Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Select one of the Number of Simultaneous Axes options from the drop-down list.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To adjust the sensitivity of a proportional device

Sets the translation and rotation sensitivity for the device in the X, Y and Z axes in 16 steps. The higher the value, the more sensitive the device is in that axis.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Proportional Control Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Adjust the Sensitivity slider for each of the six basic axes.

Setting the sensitivity to zero switches the device off in that translation or rotation axis.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To adjust the deadzone of a proportional device

Sets the amount of force needed to start an action in the X, Y and Z axes in 64 steps. The higher the value, the greater the input required to start the device operating in that axis.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Proportional Control Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Adjust the Deadzone slider for each of the six basic axes.

Setting the deadzone to zero switches the deadzone off entirely, making the device sensitive to tiny amounts of input.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the drawing options

To lock a viewpoint to an axis

To use Viscape with 3D glasses and HMDs

To change the display mode


To change the drawing options

Viscape lets you adjust the following drawing options which effect the way objects are rendered in a world:

Detail Level - sets globally the distance at which objects are replaced by less or more detailed objects.

Zoom Ratio - sets the ratio of magnification on the screen.

Background - sets the background to an horizon, a solid color or a backdrop (if there is one in the world).

Note: We recommend that you do not change the current settings which have been set by the world designer.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the detail level

The detail level sets globally the distance at which objects are replaced by less or more detailed objects. The default value for the detail level is 0. As you increase the detail level value, the replacement distances are pushed further away from you so that more detail is retained. If you set the detail level to a negative number, the replacement distances are brought closer to you, so that objects are replaced with similar ones nearer to you. Detail level has a range -10 to 10.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Adjust the Detail Level slider.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the zoom ratio

The zoom ratio sets the ratio of magnification of an image on the screen. If you think of the viewpoint as a camera, zoom sets the focal length of the lens from telephoto (small values) to wide angle (large values). Zoom has a range of 256 to 16384 with the default setting of 8192.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Adjust the Zoom Ratio slider.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the background

The default horizon lets you orientate yourself in a world. You can, however, change the background to a solid color or a backdrop (if it is included in the world).

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Select a background from the Background list box:

Horizon - displays the ground and sky with a horizon.

Solid - displays a solid color behind the world (this is black by default).

Backdrop - displays a backdrop (if the world contains one) behind the world.

Note: Each background has a No Redraw option. When selected Viscape does not clear the drawing buffer each frame. This may cause image trails to be left on the screen.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To lock a viewpoint to an axis

You can lock a viewpoint to one or more axes so that a rotating object appears to rotate in the axes.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Click the Display tab

3.	Select the Viewpoint Lock check box for the axes that you want to lock.

Note: Normally all locks are off, and a viewpoint attached to a rotating object rotates with it. In this case the object is always seen in the same orientation.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To use Viscape with 3D glasses and HMDs

Some worlds are designed for use with 3D glasses (such as Virtual I/O glasses) or other HMDs; they have two views of the same world, one above the other. To see the world you need to set up your screen in interlaced mode, so that your output device can interpret the images.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Interlace Display from the pop-up menu.

The screen is displayed in interlaced mode.

2.	To return to normal mode choose Interlace Display from the pop-up menu again.

Note: This mode is only useful if you are using an output device that can interpret the display. For further information on using HMDs refer to the documentation supplied with the device.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To change the display mode

When you start Viscape it checks your hardware and selects the best display mode for it (Auto Detect option). If your display looks poor and the world runs slowly, the display mode may be incorrect. You may be able to solve the problem by switching to another mode.

Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, choose Display Mode and then select the mode from the list.

Some of the following modes may be available, depending on the graphics card you have in your PC:

DirectDraw - The default mode that gives the best quality graphics on computers without Direct3D hardware acceleration. All the graphic data is processed at the screen depth you are using (8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit or 32-bit). A 16-bit screen depth is recommended for this mode.

WinG - May increase the speed of the graphics on computers without Direct3D hardware acceleration, but at the loss of some graphics quality. All the graphical data is processed at 8-bit color depth regardless of the screen depth you are using. If lighting is on in the world a special palette is used and colors are dithered to create smooth shaded objects.

Direct3D HAL - This can provide good graphics and fast worlds, but it is only available if you have a Direct3D graphics card in your computer. You must also have Direct3D software installed on your system and be running Windows 95 to use this mode.

RGB Emulation - A Direct3D software emulation mode. Worlds run in RGB Emulation mode may run very slowly compared to worlds using any of the other modes. An MMX enhanced processor may improve performance in this mode if MMX Emulation mode is not available.

MMX Emulation - Same as RGB Emulation mode but uses an MMX enhanced processor. This option is only available on MMX machines with Direct3D version 5.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To activate linked objects

To display information about a world

To save changes to the Viscape configuration


To activate linked objects

When the mouse cursor passes over a linked object, it changes to a hand with a pointing finger indicating that the object has been assigned a URL address by the world designer.

Click the left mouse button to go directly to the URL.

Click the right mouse button to display a context menu that lets you:

Open the link in place of the current browser window.

Open the link in a new browser window.

Copy the link to the clipboard.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


Opens the link in place of the current browser window.


Opens the link in a new browser window.


Copies the link to the clipboard.


This option is currently unsupported.


To use the pop-up menu

Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar to display the Viscape pop-up menu.

This lets you access functions that:

go to a preset viewpoint.

change the display mode.

change the display options.

configure devices.

display information about the world and Viscape.

Click on the graphic below for details on each function.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


Displays the Viscape Setup dialog box which you use to:

enable and configure input and output devices.

change the mouse movement setup.

change display options.


Displays the Proportional Control Setup dialog box which you use to configure up to three active proportional devices. You can:

change the control type.

change the number of simultaneous axes.

set sensitivity and deadzones.


Switches the display to interlaced mode for use with 3D glasses and other HMDs.


Lists the available display driver modes for your system. Which modes are available depends on your hardware.

We recommend that you use the Auto Detect option (default) which checks your system everytime you start Viscape and selects the best match for it. If you have trouble with the selected mode, you may be able to solve the problem by switching to another mode.


Displays information about your version of Viscape.


Lets you go to a preset viewpoint in the world.


Displays information about the world.


Displays this Help file.


Displays the Superscape license and warranty agreement.


To display information about a world

Some worlds have information supplied by the designer. This may include tips on how to interact with the world, copyright details, or any additional information relating to the world that is not supplied in the Web document.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose World Information from the pop-up menu.

2.	Use the Previous and Next buttons to go to different pages of information.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To jump to preset viewpoints

Each world can have up to 100 preset viewpoints (set by the designer) that you can jump to using the Select Viewpoint icon on the Options Bar. These viewpoints can be static, follow predefined paths, or attached to objects to create controlled objects which you can steer around the world.

Click the Select Viewpoint icon on the Options Bar to display a list of viewpoints that you can go to. Click the left arrow to go to the previous viewpoint, or the right arrow to go to the next viewpoint.

Note: You can also switch to preset viewpoints using Select Viewpoint from the Viscape pop-up menu. This function displays the Active Viewpoints dialog box which shows a list of the preset viewpoints. Select a viewpoint to change the world to the new position. When you have selected the correct viewpoint click Close to shut the dialog box.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


To save changes to the Viscape configuration

If you change a device configuration and you want to use the new settings when you start Viscape again, you must save the Viscape preferences file before you close your browser.

1.	Click the Menu icon on the Options Bar, and choose Setup from the pop-up menu.

2.	Select the Save Settings check box and click OK.

The current preferences file is selected (NET.CFG).

3.	Click Save.

An alert box warns you that the file already exists.

4.	Click OK to overwrite the current data with the new configuration.

Movement Bar     Options Bar     Devices     Display Options     Other Topics


The mouse cursor changes to a pointing hand when it passes over an object with a URL.


   Select Viewpoint icon