Because Second Life is 3-D, you have total and infinite control over where you place the camera (your eyes).

Camera control is a little tricky to get the hang of, but once you do, you'll really enjoy it.

1. Hold down the ALT key to activate Focus mode.

The cursor changes to a magnifying glass.

3. With ALT held down, click and release on various spots on the landscape.

Notice that the view re-centers on the place where you clicked.

4. Click on your avatar and drag the mouse SLOWLY around.

As you move the mouse forward and backward and side to side, the view zooms in and out and around your avatar.

5. Now hold down the ATL and CTRL keys at the same time.

The cursor changes again to indicate Orbit mode.

6. With both ALT and CTRL held down, click and drag SLOWLY on the avatar again.

Now, as you move the mouse, the view stays approximately the same distance from your avatar, but the camera orbits around it in all directions.

7. Now hold down ALT, CTRL, and Shift at the same time.

The cursor changes to indicate Pan mode.

8. Click and drag SLOWLY on the avatar again.

Now, as you move the mouse, the camera slides across the landscape. It looks like you're dragging the ground around.

9. Hit the Esc key to return to normal view.

You'll also find a Camera Control panel under the View menu at the top of the screen.

Mastering camera control will take some practice. One you have a feel for it, it's not only fun, but very useful when you start to build things and need to see them from all angles.

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