QUICK START TO VIRTUAL LANDSCAPE™

Quick Help

Use the Question Mark cursor to point at any Icon in the Navigation window or any Menu Selection to find out more about its function.  Click on it again to return to normal operation.  A summary of instructions is graphically displayed if you click on the Help icon on the Trails menu screen.  More detailed help is available from the Docs Menu.  Read below to get a summary of the navigation capabilities. 

The Menus

There are two menu options available with this program:  (1) the short menu, the default setting and the menu to use if you simply want to enjoy your "hike" with the basic options available; and (2) the long menu – for those of you who want to take advantage of all the program features.  The menu option is found under the Edit menu.  Once your menu selection is chosen, it will remain selected until you change it again or trash the VLOnePreferences file in the System folder.

Moving Through the Virtual Landscape
with the Default Settings

To navigate, move the cursor until it turns into a pointing hand, then click on the top, bottom, left, or right side of the image to move forward, turn around, view left, or view right, respectively.  If the cursor is a Stop sign you may not go in that direction.  You may also click on the Green Arrows on the Navigation face of the Cube located in the lower right corner of the image, or use the arrow keys on your extended keyboard.  Pressing on the space bar will temporarily hide the Cube; it will also bring it back.  The red arrow in the center of the Green Navigation Arrows on the Cube indicates the actual direction you are facing relative to the path using the Relative Map. 

To turn around and travel the opposite direction, click on the backward arrow to turn, then click on the forward arrow to go in the new direction you are facing.  Clicking on the left or right arrows will turn to the left or right relative to your current position.  

Click on the Up or Down arrow (if Green) on the Cube to see an Up or Down view or a Panorama (P) or Map (M).  Click on the forward arrow, or the up or down arrow, to return to the normal view.  Use the option key and mouse to move around (panning) to view a Panorama.

Using the (Nav) Cube

Flip the six-sided Cube to a different face by moving the cursor to a Cube edge until an arrow cursor appears, then click to rotate the cube.  You can always return to the Navigation face by clicking on the green and red symbol in the upper right corner (in the center on the "Supplemental Icons" face).  

Navigation Interface Preferences

VLNavigate™ has several navigation options in the Edit->Preferences dialog box.  Default navigation includes the Nav(igation) Cube combined with Screen Navigation.  Choose other navigation styles in the Preferences dialog.  Once a Preference item is chosen, it will remain selected until you change it again or trash the VLOnePreferences file in the System folder.

Additional Views and Information

If supplementary information is available for any view,  the appropriate Icon will be highlighted.  Click on the highlighted Icon to activate the function.  Click on the Icon again or click on the image itself to return to the Landscape view.

Navigation Aids

Select the Geographic Map from the Windows menu to follow your path.  Click on the desired location on the path to jump to a new location.  The red square is your current location.  The green squares are past locations, or your path.  Select the Relative Map to navigate according to the database orientation.  The Green side of the square cursor is oriented in the direction you are facing.

For Optimum Brightness and Color

Some monitors display the images with less contrast than others.  First make sure your own monitor brightness and contrast controls are adjusted properly.  Secondly, the program contains a brightness and darkness control.  You can use the b (brighter) and d (darker) keys on your keyboard, or use the controls under Display–>Adjust Screen Colors.