Chapter 9: Sensing Viewer Actions

Understanding How Viewer Actions Are Sensed

Sensing Touch

Sensing Motion

Using Multiple Sensors

Sensor Offsets

Pointing Devices

The TouchSensor Node Syntax

The PlaneSensor Node Syntax

The SphereSensor Node Syntax

The CylinderSensor Node Syntax

Experimenting with Sensors

Triggering Animation with Cursor Proximity

Figure 9.1


A cube that spins when the viewer's cursor moves over it.

Triggering Animation with Touch

Figure 9.2


A cube that spins when the viewer touches it.

Translating Shapes on a Plane

Figure 9.3


A cube that translates in the XY plane when the viewer drags it.

Figure 9.4


A cube that translates within a limited range of the XZ plane when the viewer drags it.

Figure 9.5


Four stacking blocks.

Rotating Shapes within a Sphere

Figure 9.6


Two shapes that rotate when the viewer drags them.

Rotating Shapes within a Cylinder

Figure 9.7


Two shapes that rotate about the Y axis when the viewer drags them.

Using Multiple Sensors in the Same Group

Figure 9.8


A cube that spins when the viewer's cursor moves over it and translates when the viewer drags it.

Using Multiple Sensors in Nested Groups

Figure 9.9


A desk lamp that can be adjusted using nested sensors.

Summary