Abstract: An apparatus and related method permit viewer navigation and object manipulation within a three-dimensional graphical experience or "virtual world" displayed by a programmable digital computer. The apparatus and method include the display of a series of six buttons. Twenty-four operations are divided among the six buttons, with each button having two pairs of cooperating or complementary operations. Three of the buttons are used to accomplish movement of the viewer in relation to the three-dimensional virtual world, and the other three buttons are used to manipulate selected objects within the virtual world. A mouse cursor is used to select one of the buttons and to activate one of four quadrants associated with the selected button to accomplish the operation associated with the activated quadrant. When a button is selected, it expands from its inactivated or "at rest" state to a larger, activated state. Two adjacent quadrants may be activated to perform two operations concurrently.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method permit viewer navigation and object manipulation within a three-dimensional graphical experience or "virtual world" displayed by a programmable digital computer. The apparatus and method include the display of a series of six buttons. Twenty-four operations are divided among the six buttons, with each button having two pairs of cooperating or complementary operations. Three of the buttons are used to accomplish movement of the viewer in relation to the three-dimensional virtual world, and the other three buttons are used to manipulate selected objects within the virtual world. A mouse cursor is used to select one of the buttons and to activate one of four quadrants associated with the selected button to accomplish the operation associated with the activated quadrant. When a button is selected, it expands from its inactivated or "at rest" state to a larger, activated state. Two adjacent quadrants may be activated to perform two operations concurrently.