When you run the MTEC browser for the first time, the controls will be set to their default assignments which you can change to suit your own likings. The instructions on this page address the default controls.

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to walk. First, click inside an empty space in the virtual reality window. Second, depress your arrow keys. All of the keys you need to move around and change your view are located on the number pad, which is on the right side of a standard extended keyboard. 

Fast Walking:

Use the arrow keys in combination (at the same time) with the CTRL key to walk faster.

Walking Left and Right/Moving Through Objects

Use the arrow keys in combination (at the same time) with the  the SHIFT key to walk left and right and to move through objects.  

Be careful when moving through objects. If you find that your avatar is not moving, walking or flying, you are stuck! Press the shift key with the arrow keys until you are free.

Tip: Using the front camera view helps you see your avatar while stuck in an object, making it easier when freeing it. 

The diagram below indicates what each key on the numeric keypad does. 

Flying (Moving Up and Down)

The + (plus) key on the numeric keypad moves you up, and the - (minus) key moves you down. You can hold these keys down to keep moving up or down. Use them in combination with the CTRL key to fly faster and the SHIFT key to fly through objects.

Note: Laptop computers, which don't have numeric keypads, the + and - keys are usually accessible via a combination of a function key and some other key on the laptop keyboard.

                                                      Looking Around

At the top of the browser are three icons of "Eyes." One is looking up, one level and one looking down. Clicking on any of these icons will allow your avatar to look in any of those directions.

The short cut easier way of looking around is as follows:

Look Up: Tilts your view upwards in increments of 5 degrees. The Page Up key on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for Look Up.

Look Down: Tilts your view downwards in increments of 5 degrees. The Page Down key on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for Look Down.

Clicking the Look Level icon, returns your view to the level position immediately. 

First person: returns your view to straight ahead if you have selected Third Person. The Home key on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for First Person. Third Person: changes the view to look at your own avatar from behind. Selecting this option repeatedly will change the distance between you and the camera. The End key on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for Third Person.

Sitting In Chairs

To sit in chairs throughout the campus, clicking on the chair will sit your avatar in that seat. Press the car/arrow icon  to stand up out of the chair.

                                                          Camera Views

First person: 

Is a straight ahead view of your avatar. This icon also returns your view to straight ahead if you have selected any other camera views. The "Home key" on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for First Person. First person is the view you will mostlikely maintain during your MTEC visits.

Third Person/Chase Camera:

Changes the view to look at your own avatar from behind. It's like having a camera man walking behind you and following you every step of the way. 

The "End key" on the numeric keypad is a keyboard shortcut for Third Person. Selecting this option repeatedly will change the distance between you and the camera. 

Front Camera:

Allows you to look at your own avatar from a front view.

Visibility

The Visibility menu allows you to quickly and easily change the distance you can see while in the MTEC environment.

 The default Visibility setting is Float. The visibility always reverts to float each time you re-enter MTEC. Float means that the browser attempts to balance the current visible range with the default settings located in the options-settings-performance window. 

When a particular visible range is chosen from this menu, the browser will "lock" the current visible range at that distance, regardless of the current frame rate. 

Note: Choosing high visible ranges in densely built areas of MTEC will result in extremely poor (slow) computer performance! Meaning over all movement and navigation of your avatar will be slow!

Remember: Distances in this menu that are less than the current default settings minimum visibility will be disabled.