How Do I Use The Camera?

Being able to "cam around" in SL is an invaluable skill. If you learn how to use the camera effectively there are several benefits, including causing less server side lag. Another benefit is that you can zoom in on things and people to see them clearly without having to walk right up to them.

There is more than one way to use your camera. You can use the on-screen camera controls or use keyboard shortcuts, this material will cover both.

The on-screen camera controls have a few functions.

the three small icons on the bottom of the floater allow you to toggle between "Preset Views" "Orbit Zoom Pan" and "Viewing Mode"

Preset Views allows you to have the camera facing the front of your avatar, looking over your left shoulder or the default from behind view..

Orbit allows you to rotate (left, right, up or down) the camera around its "focus" point by using the circle with arrows

Zoom allows you to zoom in or out on the focus point with the slider.

Pan lets you move your camera left, right, up or down from the cameras focus point.

Object view allows you to click on an object or person to focus your camera on them. This is the focus point mentioned previously. You can also hold down the alt key and click on them for the same effect.

Mouselook view places the camera in front of you; the camera then moves with your mouse and turns your avatar. The camera controls disappear in this view. Hit Esc to leave mouselook.

Alt click will focus your camera on that object or person

Alt up/down arrow will zoom in or out

Alt left/right arrow will rotate the camera left or right

Alt Ctrl up/down arrow will rotate the camera up or down

Alt Ctrl Shift arrows will pan the camera

Practice your camera skills. If you master them you'll find your SL is more enjoyable.