Fly Mode Tool

Use

You can use this tool to move the camera through the 3D scene as if you are flying. The Fly Mode tool differs from the Walk Mode tool, in that it does not fix the camera to a particular height. With the Fly Mode tool, you can navigate forward and backward, controlling your speed, or simply stop and look around from your current position.

You can control the speed at which the camera moves by using either the mouse wheel, or the 1 (slower) and 2 (faster) keys. By default, the mouse wheel and number keys change the speed by 1 unit faster or slower at a time. If you press the shift key at the same time, then for speeds between -1 and 1, the speed change will be 0.1.

When you are in Fly Mode, you can see an indicator of the navigation mode, your current speed, and the position of the camera. This displays in the left lower corner of the viewport.

Activities

Selecting the Fly Mode Tool

To select the Fly Mode tool, do one of the following:

  • In the Navigation toolbar, choose Fly Mode

  • In the Navigation toolbar, choose Fly Mode, and drag a model in viewport

  • In the Navigation toolbar, choose Fly Mode, then press SHIFT and drag a model in viewport

  • On the keyboard, press F9 or CTRL + F9 and drag a model in viewport

Flying Through the Image or Scene in Fly Mode

  1. Select the 2D or 3D viewport.

  2. Choose Fly Mode in the Navigation toolbar.

  3. Left click and hold to move the camera. A small plus sign (cross hair) displays in the center of the window.

  4. Move the cursor up, down, left or right to fly through or around your model. The camera moves forward, for positive speeds, in the direction of the plus sign.

Looking Around the Scene in Your Current Position

  1. Select the 2D or 3D viewport.

  2. Choose Fly Mode in the Navigation toolbar.

  3. Set the speed to zero by moving the wheel up or down or using the 1 and 2 keys.

  4. Move the cursor up, down, left or right to pivot around your current position.

Breaking or Slowing Down While Flying

Press SHIFT on your keyboard.

Canceling Fly Mode

Do one of the following:

  • Press F9 on the keyboard.

  • Select another mode in the Navigation toolbar.