Using Present3D

In this page we have a walk through of how to start and run a Present3D presentation, also describing all the run time functionality and how to use it.

Starting a Presentation

Present3D is a command line application, therefore starting a a presentation is done on the command line. Change directory to the location where the Present3D presentation file is located. Then using the command: 

present3D file.xml

A presentation file will be loaded.

Moving through your slides

The following key commands will allow you move throw the presentation slides in different ways.

  • The left and right arrow keys allow movement back and forward through the slide in a presentation.
  • The up and down arrow keys allow movement through the layers in each slide.
  • The "a" key will start the presentation running in auto-play mode.
  • The "n" key will auto step through the slides and their layers.
  • The diagonal keys beside the "help" and "del" will jump between the first and last slide respectively.
  • The "p" key will pause all rotations and movies.
  • The "o" key will resume all rotations and movies.
  • The "r" key will reset the slide, so all movies/animations will start from the beginning.
  • The "c" key will hide the cursor.
  • The escape key will exit Present3D

Interacting with objects

A three button mouse is useful when interacting with presentation content. However a single button mouse can be used, and the modifier keys "alt" and "command" can be used to replicate the middle and right buttons respectively.

  • The three buttons do as follows:
    • Right button with up and down movements will cause the object to zoom in and out respectively.
    • Left button will object to be rotated.
    • Middle Button will move the position of the object in 3D space.
  • The "space" key will reset the object to its default position.
  • The "l" key toggles dynamic lighting on and off.
  • The "k" key will allow you to move the light source if your model has normals.
  • The “w” key will change the model to wireframe view
  • When using Volumetric data, the "u" key separates the data by luminance and the "i" key will increase the transparence of the volumes layers.
  • When using Point Cloud data. the "+" and "-" keys will increase and the decrease the point size of the data.

Manipulators

Present3D has four main manipulators, Trackball, Flight, Drive and Terrain.

Using the Trackball Manipulator

  • This is toggled on or off by using the "1" key.
  • This works as described above.

Using the Flight Manipulator

  • This is toggled on or off by using the "2" key.
  • The left mouse button will cause acceleration and the right mouse button will cause deceleration or a backwards movement. Clicking both the left and right mouse button will cause an emergency stop.
  • The up and down mouse movements will cause a decent or lift motion respectively.
  • The left and right mouse movement will cause a banking left and right respectively.
  • To move straight centre the mouse on the screen.

Using the Drive Manipulator

  • This is toggled on or off using the "3" key.
  • The left and right mouse buttons will cause acceleration and deceleration respectively.
  • The left and right mouse movements will cause a left and right turn respectively.
  • The "6" and "9" will cause an upwards or a downwards look.

Using the Terrain Manipulator

  • The right mouse button and push up/pull down to zoom in/out.
  • The left mouse button and move the mouse to translate the models position.
  • The middle button to rotate or travel over the surface of the model, when close in terrain following will be enabled.

Other key Commands

  • The "z" key will start recording a motion path. Pressing "Z" (shift-z) will stop the recording.
  • The "f" key will toggle between full screen and windowed mode.