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CryEngine 3 SDK: Navigation, Interface, Viewports

October 17, 2011
Category: CryEngine 3 SDK

We continue with CryEngine 3 SDK tutorials. If you are just starting to learn and use CryEngine 3 SDK, start here.

In this tutorial we cover how to navigate around CryEngine, interface functions to get started and viewport configurations. After this tutorial you'll be ready to start creating your first map. Which what we will do in the next tutorial.

Topics covered:

• Navigate around CryEngine 3
• Interface overview
• Viewport configuration

Make sure to check this page for all the tutorials on CryEngine 3 SDK.

VIDEO TUTORIAL:

NAVIGATION

WASD keys will move you forward/back/side. Just like as if you were playing any fps game on a pc.

Middle Mouse Button Hold/Drag = Pan

Right Mouse Button Hold/Drag = Look Around

Scroll Wheel = Zoom in/out

HELPERS

Shift + Spacebar = on/off helpers

CAMERA SPEED MOVEMENT

Speed up how fast your camera moves within perspective viewport by changing the speed values on the bottom of perspective viewport panel.

TERRAIN COLLISION

Terrain collision function enables you to fly-around without going through the terrain.

This can be found on the bottom of perspective viewport panel next to Camera Movement Speed.

You can turn this on/off.

VIEWPORT OPTIONS

To access viewport options Right Click on the upper tab in the perspective viewport for drop down menu.

Here you can switch to various viewport options and/or Configure Layout.

Choose Configure Layout will give you options of how you want your viewport to display.

I stick with Perspective only, but sometimes for specific functions I choose to have orthographic viewports.

You can also open up various other windows within the perspective viewport that are used in CryEngine world creation. By going under View.

We will cover many of these in later tutorials when we need to use them.

CYCLE THROUGH VIEWPORTS

You can cycle through viewports by pressing Ctrl+Tab.

Ctrl+Tab = cycle viewports

ROLLUP BAR

Rollup Bar is very important part of CryEngine. You will be using this a lot.

It includes Terrain, Object, Display and Layer tabs.

We will cover Terrain and Objects in later tutorials. For now we will focus on Display and Layers.

Display Tab in the Rollup Bar allows you to turn on some predefined render settings within the engine.

Turning some of the Render Settings allows to clear up the scene to work on certain elements within the map.

Layers Tab allows the user, the designer to control what will be seen and/or selectable. You can create your own layers and place objects on those layers. This helps to organize large scenes that you will create.

IN GAME SPAWN

To spawn inside the game and run around the world from the editor, press Ctrl+G.

Ctrl + G = in game spawn