You're probably already familiar with how to use Blaxxun as your preferred VRML browser plugin, but it can also be used as a VRML developer's tool to view and proof models. If a model appears overly dark or shadowed, just switch from Graphics...Smooth to Graphics...Flat. Things will get sort of blocky looking, but most unlit surfaces will now be visible. Very handy when inside a large house (or similar) model. Right click a VRML screen to access the panel.

There's also some tricks on the movement panel just for developers. The most important one is how to switch from Movement...Walk to Movement...Examine. Once in Examine mode, left click a model (just once, slowly), then slowly drag up (or down) or right (or left). This action is very similar to "rubber band" mode in some of the older VRML plugins. The model will slowly spin inversely allowing you to examine it from many sides without the hassle of walking around it.

Another trick is using F3 (or Movement...Jump) to quickly hop inside a model. This is very useful when looking at a multistory model or to quickly examine a deep part without walking there. It allows you to enter a large model without using a normal entrance, by simply jumping through a window or over a balcony. After invoking Jump mode, left click the object and you will jump towards it very rapidly. When using F3 to invoke jump mode, it helps to slowly left click the destination once, then invoke Jump mode via F3 (hold the key down), then left click it again (release the F3 key). Not all systems can invoke Jump mode via F3, so if it does nothing, use the right click method (Movement...Jump). The cursor becomes a rounded crosshair when in Jump mode. It can sometimes help to uncheck Gravity (Movement...Gravity) if you'll be jumping a large distance up.

To walk through a glass wall (or similar) uncheck Collision (Movement...Collision). Turn it back on once done to avoid falling through stuff. To move directly up, use Slide mode (Movement...Slide). The Movement panels are accessed by right clicking the VRML screen.

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