CosmoPlayer is a Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) browser that is a plug-in for Netscape and Internet Explorer. CosmoPlayer can be downloaded from the Computer Associates web site.

When the VRML file is displayed on the screen, a dashboard like one of the views below is shown at the bottom of the scene. Two sets of controls are available: 'Examine Controls' and 'Movement Controls'. The user is able to toggle between these controls by clicking on the 'Change Controls' lever. The buttons on each control panel are explained below. For the majority of worlds on this site, it is easiest to use the Examine Controls.

Examine Controls

To examine objects in a world, click the Rotate, Pan or Zoom button and then drag the pointer in the CosmoPlayer window. Once you click a
control, it stays selected until you click another.
 

Rotate	Click and then drag to rotate an object.
Pan	Click and then drag to pan right, left, up, or down.
Zoom	Click and then drag up to zoom in or drag down to zoom out.

Movement Controls

To move around in a world, click the Go, Slide or Tilt button and then drag the pointer in the CosmoPlayer window. Once you click a control,
it stays selected until you click another.
 

Go	Click and then drag to move in any direction.
Slide	Click and then drag to slide straight up and down or to slide right or left.
Tilt	Click and then drag to look up or down or from side to side.

Undo/Redo

The 'Undo Move' and 'Redo Move' buttons can be used to undo the last move carried out or repeat it.

Viewpoints

Many VRML worlds have pre-set viewpoints for viewing the world. Different viewpoints can be chosen from the 'Viewpoints List', or the viewpoints can be scrolled through using the arrows to each side of the viewpoints list. The 'Current Viewpoint' box displays the current viewpoint.
 

Alistair Evans, September 2002