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Master 3D scene navigation

Complete a scavenger hunt through the playground to learn the basics of navigation.  

 view is an absolutely critical skill for working in Unity. Trying to create something in Unity without first mastering this skill would be like trying to learn how to draw without first learning how to hold a pencil.  

If you’ve never worked with other 3D creator tools before or played many 3D games, working in a 3D environment can be pretty challenging at first. But don’t worry, you'll get some practice here to set you up for success.

In this tutorial, you'll get comfortable moving around in the 

 view through a short series of fun challenges in a playground scene.

Overview

To get started, you'll first need to open the 

Open the playground scene

 window represents the structure of the current scene in a tree-like format. It shows you every GameObject in your scene. 

When you double-click a GameObject in the 

 window, you can quickly zoom in on it and frame it nicely in the 

 GameObject using the foldout (triangle).



 Double-click all four of the child GameObjects to quickly frame them in the 

  After framing each individual object, double-click the parent 

 GameObject. This will neatly frame all four of the child GameObjects in view. 

Frame the four playground areas

In the previous tutorial, you used the arrow keys to move around in the 

 view and used the right mouse button to look around. 

Now, you'll learn how to use 

 which lets you move and rotate your view at the same time.

Rather than using the arrow keys, you'll use the 

 keys on the keyboard. You'll notice that the 

 keys are in a similar layout to the four arrow keys, with the following mappings:



 - Right

This type of navigation might be familiar to you if you’ve played desktop video games before. 


 view, press the right mouse button and move the mouse to look around.



  While still holding down the right mouse button, press the 

 key on your keyboard to move forward. 



  If this is your first time using Flythrough mode, just tap the 

 keys to move a little at a time. As you get more confident, you'll be able to hold the keys for longer periods. 



  Using a combination of the right mouse button and the W, A, S, and D keys, fly around to different areas of the scene.

If you get lost in the scene, double-click the 

 window to reorient yourself. 

You’re going to get a lot more practice with Flythrough mode throughout the rest of this tutorial.

Use Flythrough mode in the Scene view

The Unity Editor has a lot of keyboard shortcuts. While you're learning to use them, we have provided a helpful cheat sheet that you can reference.


 window. 

You'll see some shortcuts you're not familiar with yet, but we'll get to those very soon.



 Continue to the next step to begin the playground scavenger hunt with these shortcuts at your side.

Open the Keyboard shortcut reference sheet

Now that you have a basic understanding of how to navigate in the 

 view scavenger hunt. 

The purpose of this scavenger hunt is to find four hidden numbers that combine to form a four-digit secret code.

If you enter the correct code in Play mode, you'll be rewarded with some fireworks!



  Don't try to find the hidden numbers yet! You'll be given clues on how to find them in the coming steps. 

For now, you'll just see what happens when you enter an incorrect code. 


 to enter Play mode and locate the text entry box in the center of the 

 view that says "Enter 4-digit code...".

Remember, when you are in Play mode (in the 

 view), you will no longer be able to fly around the environment like you do in the 

  Enter any four-digit number in the input box to see what happens. 



 mode. 

In the next step, you'll start looking for the numbers that make up the correct code.

Enter Play mode and enter an incorrect code

In this step, you'll practice using Flythrough mode to zoom in and find a hidden number on the back of the swingset.

In the video demo above, the number appears as a red square, but it will be a real number in your scene.

Remember, you can always reorient yourself by double-clicking on a GameObject in the 

 view by holding the right mouse button and using the 

 Locate the hidden number on the back of the top bar of the swingset. 



 You might want to write down the hidden numbers as you find them so you don't forget!

Use Flythrough mode to find the number on the swingset

 view and allows for closer inspection. You have already framed objects when you double-clicked them in the 

 window.

Now you're going to learn a new, more convenient way to frame an object by pressing the 

 view. 

After framing an object, you can then use the scroll wheel on a mouse (or two fingers on a trackpad) to zoom in or out on that framed object. 

Now, you'll use these techniques together to discover the second number hidden inside the grill.

In the video demo above, the number appears as a red square, but it will be a real number in your scene.



 view toolbar. 

It’s the second tool, just after the View tool. 

The 

 tool allows you to select objects directly in the 

 view.  You'll learn a lot more about the 

 view, select the grill by clicking directly on it, then press 

 to frame it. This is the same effect you'd get by double-clicking on it in the 

 key a few more times and notice what happens: the view will alternate between a more zoomed in and zoomed out framing of that object. 



  Use your mouse's scroll wheel (or two fingers on a trackpad) to zoom in and find the number hidden inside the grill.

Make sure to write down this number, too! You'll need it to complete that four-digit code.

Frame and zoom to find the second number inside the grill

 is an essential navigation technique that lets you rotate your view around a selected object, providing a 360-degree perspective. 

Orbiting is different from using the View tool to look around in the scene, which you did before by right-clicking and dragging:

Using the View tool and looking around is like moving your own head — your position stays in place but the rotation changes.

Orbiting is like moving around an object while you stare at it — your focal point stays the same, but your position changes.

In this step, you'll orbit around the play structure and inspect it from underneath to uncover the third hidden number.


  If you are still inside the grill, zoom out and then rotate your view (right-click and drag) to face the play structure with a slide.



 tool still selected, click directly on the play structure in the 

 Once the play structure is framed, hold 

 and drag with your mouse to orbit around the play structure. 

You will find the third hidden number on the bottom of the play structure.



 After you've noted the number, orbit back up around to get a front-facing view of the play structure again.

Soon, you'll get so much practice framing and orbiting, it will eventually be muscle memory. You also have that shortcut cheat sheet to help you remember all the ways you can navigate! 

Orbit around the play structure to find the third number

 view gizmos — which look like a series of colorful cones sticking out of a cube in the upper-right corner of the 

 view — are another helpful tool for 3D navigation. 

You will use the gizmos and something called Isometric mode to uncover the fourth and final digit of your code. 

In the video demo, the digit looks like three red cubes, but in your scene, it will appear as a real number.


 view gizmos more clearly against the background, right-click them and select 

If you don’t see the gizmo, you can make it visible in the Overlay Menu at the bottom by clicking the Orientation button.

 view, click directly on the firepit set between two outdoor chairs, then 

 to frame it in view. You might notice some strange black lines beneath the firepit.



  With the firepit framed, use the cone-shaped gizmos to view it directly from the side.



  Right-click the gizmo again and disable 

 to enter Isometric view. 

Depending on your orientation, the label beneath the gizmos will say 'Front', 'Back', 'Left', 'Right', 'Top' or 'Bottom'. You'll know that you are in Isometric view when the three lines to the left of the label are parallel to one another.



  If you don't immediately see the fourth hidden digit, continue rotating around the firepit with the help of the gizmos to reveal it.

You are able to see the number clearly in Isometric view because all of the 3D perspective is removed. There is no longer any distortion of objects based on your angle and all objects appear the same size, regardless of how far they are from you. You're looking at a 2D version of a 3D scene.



  Once you figure out the final digit, right-click the gizmos and re-enable 

Use the Scene view gizmos to reveal the final hidden number

Congratulations! If you made it here, you’ve found all four hidden numbers. It's now time to verify whether they are correct. 



 The correct code is actually the year Unity was created. 


 button to enter Play mode and enter your code into the input box.



  If you entered the correct code, you should be treated to a fireworks display at the center of the scene — and you now know the year Unity was created!



Enter the correct code in Play mode

Congratulations on successfully navigating the 

 view and completing the scavenger hunt! 

Here are some of the things you learned how to do along the way:

Proceed to the next tutorial to fly through rings around the playground and solidify your 

Review and proceed to the next tutorial

Confidently operate the Unity Editor from an empty default project. 

Unity Editor Essentials

NealEdu

Product Manager at Unity

Scene view navigation

2D and 3D mode settings

Games

Film

Automotive

Explain Unity’s 3D Y-up coordinate system.

Identify the Toolbar button(s) used for changing your view.

Change your view in the Scene view using the mouse and keyboard.

Change your view in the Scene view by focusing on a selected GameObject.

Change your view in the Scene view using the Scene Gizmo.

Use the 2D button to change the view of Scene view.

Navigate the Scene view confidently in all three dimensions, demonstrating the ability to quickly relocate to desired position and orientation in 3D space.

3.1 Explain Unity’s 3D Y-up coordinate system.

3.2 Identify the Toolbar button(s) used for changing your view.

3.3 Change your view in the Scene view using the mouse and keyboard.

3.4 Change your view in the Scene view by focusing on a selected GameObject.

3.5 Change your view in the Scene view using the Scene Gizmo.

3.6 Use the 2D button to change the view of Scene view.

3.7 Navigate the Scene view confidently in all three dimensions, demonstrating the ability to quickly relocate to desired position and orientation in 3D space.

Unity Version 6.0