Documentation

Interface & Viewport Operations

Welcome to Chapter 5 of the SuperStage basic tutorial. An efficient, clear workspace is crucial when building and arranging complex systems. This document will detail the SuperStage main interface layout and dive deep into core viewport (Viewport) operations, helping you navigate freely in 3D/visual space to more efficiently manage and preview your project.

1. Main Interface Overview

When you open SuperStage, the entire workspace is divided into several core functional areas. Each area carries a specific task to ensure a smooth workflow.

1.1 Menu Bar

Located at the very top of the software, it contains all system-level operations such as File save and open, Edit operations, View settings, and Help documentation.

1.2 Toolbar

Typically located below the menu bar or to the left of the viewport. This gathers the most commonly used quick tools, such as the selection tool, move tool, rotation tool, and scale tool. Through the toolbar, you can quickly switch the current operating mode.

1.3 Main Viewport

The core area occupying the largest portion of the interface. This is the “stage” where you preview scenes, objects, and system operation status. All visual interactions and spatial positioning are completed in the viewport.

1.4 Hierarchy / Outliner Panel

Default located on the left or right side of the interface. This panel lists all entities, nodes, and agents in the current scene in a tree diagram. You can quickly select specific objects here or sort out their parent-child hierarchy relationships.

1.5 Properties Panel

When you select any object in the viewport or outliner panel, the properties panel (usually on the right) displays all detailed parameters of that object, including spatial coordinates (Transform), materials, binding interfaces, and other business logic configurations.

2. Viewport Basic Navigation

In SuperStage, mastering viewport navigation is fundamental to improving work efficiency. The following operations are all performed with the mouse.

2.1 Viewport Pan

The pan operation allows you to move your field of view up, down, left, or right without changing the viewing angle or distance.

  • Operation: Hold the middle mouse button and drag.
  • Applicable Scenarios: When you need to view objects at the edge of the viewport or laterally shift the observation position in a large scene.

2.2 Viewport Orbit / Rotate

The rotate operation allows you to view the scene from all directions around the current observation center point (or selected object).

  • Operation: Hold the Alt key on the keyboard while holding the left mouse button and dragging.
  • Applicable Scenarios: Inspecting all sides of an object or adjusting to the optimal viewing angle.

2.3 Viewport Zoom

The zoom operation is used to move your field of view closer or farther away to see details or an overview.

  • Operation:
    1. Method 1 (Smooth Zoom): Hold the Alt key while holding the right mouse button and drag left or right.
    2. Method 2 (Stepped Zoom): Scroll the mouse wheel up or down directly.
  • Applicable Scenarios: Focusing on the parameters of a tiny node, or zooming out to view the macro layout of the entire SuperStage scene.

3. View Switching & Display Modes

To accommodate different work requirements, SuperStage provides multiple viewing angles and rendering modes.

3.1 View Angles

When performing precise alignment or position adjustment, perspective views may introduce visual errors. You can use shortcut keys to quickly switch to orthographic 2D views:

  • Top View
  • Front View
  • Side View

3.2 Display Modes

The viewport supports different rendering levels; you can switch in the display settings bar at the top-right corner of the viewport:

  • Wireframe Mode: Only displays object outlines, consuming minimal resources. Suitable for viewing internal structures or increasing frame rates in extremely complex scenes.
  • Solid / Shaded Mode: Displays object surfaces without complex lighting calculations. This is the default and most commonly used working mode.
  • Rendered Mode: Displays final materials, lighting, and shadow effects for final result preview.

4. Common Viewport Shortcut Keys Quick Reference

Memorizing the following shortcut keys can significantly reduce mouse movement across the menu bar, making your operations much smoother:

Operation Mouse/Keyboard Shortcut Function Description
Pan View Hold middle button + drag Move the view within the same plane
Rotate View Alt + left-click drag Rotate view around center point
Smooth Zoom Alt + right-click drag Smoothly zoom in or out
Scroll Zoom Scroll mouse wheel Stepped zoom in or out
Focus Selected Object F key (Focus) Quickly maximize and center the currently selected object in the viewport
Maximize Viewport Space key Toggle viewport fullscreen/windowed state (hover mouse over corresponding viewport)

Tip: If you get lost in your view during operation (e.g., the scene has moved outside the frame), simply click any familiar object in the outliner panel, then press the F key on your keyboard. The viewport will immediately auto-refocus on that object.