Inside Cintoo Workspace

This article outlines navigation in Cintoo Workspace application both in Desktop and VR modes. Helping to get to know better the structure and visualization of data as well as main interface elements and tools available.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Desktop Mode
VR Mode

Desktop Mode

First, click on Projects tab on the left and then choose a project to experience in VR. After the project is opened in Resources and Workzones tabs choose objects to be activated.

Annotations Explorer on right side of screen lists project annotations and allows to create and edit them without entering VR - more details in Annotations and Measurements.

Measurement units and reference are adjusted from right bottom corner of screen, above Virtual Reality button - more details in Measurements in Cintoo Workspace.

Clicking on Log Out button at the top will redirect back to login menu.

In Desktop mode, ESC does not quit application - use Quit application button at the top. In VR mode, ESC exits VR.

Workzones and Resources

Workzones tab reflects project's work zone structure with number of objects indicators in blue. In a large hierarchy, use search field to find a work zone.

Each work zone has a checkbox that controls its visibility:

Ticked checkbox means that a work zone is active - it, its sub-work zones and all their scans and models are visible in Resources tab and, if streamed, in 3D scene
Unticked checkbox means that a work zone is inactive - it, its sub-work zones and all their scans and models are hidden from Resources tab and 3D scene

Activate needed work zones to see their content in Resources tab.

Resources tab contains only active work zones with all scan and model type objects. Inactive items are greyed out - including a parent work zone that is inactive while one of its sub-work zones is active.

To the left of objects in Resources tab there are clickable icons:

Open eye icon means that an object is active
Closed eye means that an object is inactive and greyed out. Closing eye of a scan hides its floating scanner icon in 3D scene and stops its streaming
Target allows to jump to an object directly from Resources tab

Clicking eye next to a folder deactivates, or reactivates, all its scans, models and sub-folders.

Click name of a scan or model to teleport directly to it:

In Desktop mode, teleport is immediate
In VR, teleport starts after a 0.5 second delay, shown by a visual indicator
A greyed-out scan or model becomes active when its name is clicked
For a scan, user lands on its floating scanner icon. For a model, user lands at origin of its bounding box. From Exocentric view in VR, user switches to Egocentric view facing that origin

Names of all scans currently streamed are highlighted in blue - current scan in single-scan display, and every scan contributing to view in multi-scan display.

Once finished setting up the right amount of data to be displayed, tabs could be minimized by clicking on Workzones and Resources once again.

Sessions

Sessions tab sits next to Projects and holds multi-user session controls - Create Session, Join Session and Leave Session. Session ID is displayed there and can be shared with other participants. Members list shows everyone in a session.

Full workflow, collaboration tools and roles are described in Multi-User Collaboration.

Display Modes Panel

At the top of the screen in the middle Display modes panel that controls visualization is located:

RGB – colorful image taken from scanner data
X-ray – transparent mode for comparison of multiple scans
Surface - mesh generated from scan data
Indoor – inside buildings mode allowing to darken the environment
Backface – allows to hide backfaces of 3D mesh surfaces to be able to see inside of buildings from outside and to clean up the scene from unnecessary mesh pieces

In Desktop mode of Cintoo Workspace application it is possible to navigate from scan to scan or in fly mode freely in 3D space. Click on floating scanner icons or on a scan name in Resources tab, or move freely by holding any mouse button and moving the mouse, use Shift to turn camera.

Options

On the top panel open Options menu to change visualization parameters inside the application.

Vignette - narrows field of view during movement to make it smoother. Could also be activated from VR Tools menu. More details in Vignette
Visual quality - same setting as on the login page described in details in Discover the Application
Scans quality - same setting as on the login page described in details in Discover the Application

These settings, together with units and VR height, are kept between sessions and restored at next launch.

Annotations and Measurements

Annotations and measurements can be created and reviewed in Desktop mode, without entering VR.

Annotations Explorer, on right side of screen - fetch, create, edit and push annotations. Aim at target location with placement laser, extend laser with J or Up arrow key and shrink it with K or Down arrow key, and press Enter to confirm position. An annotation started in Desktop mode can be continued in VR without fetching again. More details in Annotations in Cintoo Workspace
Measurement tool, at right bottom corner of screen - button shows current measurement type, Simple Distance by default - Simple Distance, Local Reference, World Reference, Horizontal Measure and Vertical Measure. Aim with placement laser, extend it with J or Up and shrink it with K or Down, and press Enter to place each point and to validate measurement. More details in Measurements in Cintoo Workspace

VR Mode

Connection

for Meta devices - after that establish connection with Meta Quest Link from the device by navigating to Settings, choosing Link, and clicking Launch. Or choose Link in Quick Settings menu.
More detailed instruction from Meta: Set up your Meta Quest with the Meta Quest Link
for other devices - establish connection with PC.

To switch to VR mode and start streaming to headset click on Virtual Reality in the low right corner.

Controllers

Main controller chosen when starting the application is called Navigation controller. Right-handed setting would have A and B buttons and is used to navigate in a project.

Second controller is called Tools controller. It has X and Y buttons, in the right-hand setting, and its use is functional. Interface for navigating projects and data could be visualized by pressing B button. Navigation and visualization controls are the same as in Desktop mode.

Cintoo Workspace supports multiple navigation methods depending on your hardware setup. Each method below shows which platforms support it - use legend to find what works on your device, and check controls column for hardware-specific inputs.

Platform legend

Icon	Platform
	VR - headset (Meta Quest, etc.)
	Desktop - PC with mouse & keyboard
	Igloo - large-format immersive display
	Web - browser-based viewer (standard Cintoo web experience)

VR: Navigation controller projects a dynamic parabola that follows hand movement and adjusts in length - used as the primary targeting mechanism for scan selection, teleportation, and switching to Fly mode.

Igloo: interaction uses one laser with a parabola switch. In main panel, Session, Annotations and Tags tabs are greyed out, as these features are not available in Igloo.

Core Locomotion

Methods for physically moving and orienting yourself within a scene - turning, walking, flying, and repositioning the view.

Look Around

Rotate the camera to look in any direction around you.

Platform	Controls
VR	Physically turn your head
Desktop	Click and hold mouse wheel button, then move the mouse; hold Shift to turn camera
Igloo	Physically look and move around within tracked space
Web	Right-click + left-click drag (3D navigation look around)

Walk Around

Move freely through physical space mapped onto the scene.

Platform	Controls
VR	Walk naturally within the area around you
Igloo	Walk within Igloo tracking space

Quick Turns

Snap-rotate view in 90-degree increments - useful when physically turning is limited.

Platform	Controls
VR	Press Navigation controller joystick left or right
Igloo	Use 90-degree turn input on controller

Pan

Shift viewpoint along an axis without rotating - useful for fine positional adjustments or aligning view.

Platform	Controls
VR	Hold Tools controller grip to enter Pan mode, then move controller in desired direction. Works in both Egocentric and Exocentric scale.
Desktop	Vertical pan: hold right mouse button + drag. Horizontal pan: hold left mouse button + drag. Field of view: scroll mouse wheel.
Web	Vertical pan: right-click drag. Horizontal pan: left-click drag. Field of view: scroll wheel (3D navigation).

Find more details in Control tips menu in Desktop mode or in the dedicated section Pan Mode.

Fly Mode

Move freely in all directions through 3D space, imitating flight.

Works in both Egocentric and Exocentric scale.

Note: Fly mode activates Turbomesh™, using nearby active scans and models for real-time 3D reconstruction.

Platform	Controls
VR	Click Navigation controller joystick to activate Fly mode, then navigate with joysticks. Vertical movement: Tools controller joystick. Horizontal movement: Navigation controller joystick.

Orbit

Rotate entire scene in parallel to the ground while your position stays fixed - useful for inspecting from multiple angles.

Platform	Controls
VR	Hold both controller grips simultaneously. Move hands in opposite directions - one forward, one backward - as if rotating a large object. A line appears between controllers to confirm two-handed mode.
Web	Use 3D navigation Orbit control.

Find more details in Control tips menu in Desktop mode or in the dedicated section Orbit.

Jump Around

Methods for jumping directly to a specific location or scan without continuous movement.

Scan to Scan

Jump directly to viewpoint of a specific scan by selecting it in scene or in Resources panel.

Note: display is limited to single scan when navigating this way.

Platform	Controls
VR	Point Navigation controller at a scan icon - parabola becomes a straight line and icon highlights. Press trigger to go there.
Desktop	Click any floating scanner icon in 3D view, or click scan name in Resources tab.
Igloo	Point controller at a scan icon until it highlights, then press trigger.
Web	Click scan icon in scene.

VR: selection laser passes through virtual floor to reach scan icons below it, while teleport parabola stops at floor.

Teleport

Free teleportation to any floor-level position in scene.

Warning: teleportation is disabled while any interface menu is open.

Platform	Controls
VR	Aim single blue parabola - a red/blue floor grid and a target marker appear. Push or pull Navigation controller joystick to adjust parabola length. When both targets merge, landing spot is locked. Press Navigation controller trigger to jump there. To set view height before teleporting: press X on Tools controller, then adjust with Navigation controller joystick up/down. Height is kept across teleports, projects and sessions, including after restarting application.
Igloo	Aim controller at desired floor location and press trigger.
Web	Hold Shift and click target location.

To move instantly, without movement transition, switch on Teleport option.

Scaling

Methods for changing your perspective scale - from 1:1 ground-level exploration to a full site overview and anywhere in between.

Exo / Egocentric Scale

Switch between 1:1 human-scale exploration (Egocentric) and a miniature overhead view of the full site (Exocentric). Exocentric mode enables full-site observation, architectural walkthrough evaluation, spatial relationship assessment, and measurement of distances beyond 1:1 scale.

Platform	Controls
VR	Enter Exocentric: point Navigation controller toward the sky - a special indicator appears - then press trigger. Return to Egocentric: repeat same upward gesture (reverse indicator shown), or use teleport to jump back to ground level. Exo/Ego
Web	Click home / recenter camera button in 3D navigation controls.

Dynamic Scaling

Continuously zoom scene between 1:1 and 1:250 scale - useful for navigating between site-wide overview and detail inspection without leaving your position.

Platform	Controls
VR	Hold both controller grips simultaneously. Spread hands apart to zoom in (toward 1:1). Bring hands together to zoom out (toward 1:250). A scale indicator appears between controllers showing current ratio.
Web	Scroll mouse wheel, or use 3D navigation Dynamic Scaling control.

Find more details in Control tips menu in Desktop mode or in the dedicated section Dynamic Scaling.

Settings and modes that assist navigation, reduce motion discomfort, or control how the scene environment is displayed.

Teleport, Vignette and Gaze Track options are in Accessibility of VR Tools Menu. Teleport and Vignette are off by default, Gaze Track is on by default. All three are saved between sessions.

Teleport Option

Switches off movement transition when moving between scans, switching between Egocentric and Exocentric scale and in free teleportation - user is moved instantly. Off by default. While it is on, Vignette does not apply.

Platform	Controls
VR	Switch on Teleport in Accessibility of VR Tools Menu.

Vignette

Reduces motion sickness by narrowing peripheral field of view during movement - teleport to a scan, pan, fly mode, orbit, zoom in/out and switching between Exocentric and Egocentric scale. It applies a single vignette effect and is off by default. Vignette does not apply while Teleport option is on.

Platform	Controls
VR	Enable Vignette from Options menu (top panel in Desktop mode before entering VR) or from Accessibility in VR Tools Menu once in headset.

Vision (Gaze) Control

Navigate using head gaze alone - no active controller input required. Useful when you want hands-free movement.

Gaze tracking is on by default and can be switched off with Gaze Track in Accessibility of VR Tools menu - when off, it never activates, whatever hand position or gaze. Gaze tracking is also disabled while a measurement is being taken, so it does not interfere with probe placement.

Note: display is limited to single scan when using gaze-based navigation.

Platform	Controls
VR	Let your arms hang at your sides - controllers disappear from view. Orient your gaze toward a scan icon. Once icon highlights, press Navigation controller trigger to go there.

Display Modes

Switch how point cloud data is rendered. Available modes vary by platform.

RGB - colorful image taken from scanner data
X-ray - transparent mode for comparison of multiple scans
Surface - mesh generated from scan data
Heightmap - scene colored according to object heights (VR and Igloo only)

Platform	Available modes
VR	All modes except Intensity and 2D panoramic. Switch from VR Tools Menu.
Desktop	All modes except Heightmap, Intensity and 2D panoramic. Available in Display Modes panel at top of screen.
Igloo	All modes except Intensity and 2D panoramic
Web	All display modes

Heightmap (VR)

Displays scene colored according to object heights. Clicking Heightmap button changes display mode and shows a color legend. Move window by grabbing title of legend with Navigation controller trigger.

To adjust height limits point at a number and pull or push Navigation controller joystick.

Slide grey bar up and down to offset range set.

Click Reset to return to default settings.

Indoor / Outdoor

Replace sky background with a black one for indoor scenes. Can be used alongside other display modes (RGB, X-ray, Surface).

Platform	Controls
VR	Switch from VR Tools Menu
Desktop	Available in Display Modes panel at top of screen
Web	Background color/image control

Virtual Floor Grid

Display a reference grid on floor plane to aid spatial orientation.

Platform	Controls
VR	Available
Igloo	Available

Performance Options

Settings that affect rendering quality and visual output of point cloud data and 3D geometry.

Backfaces

Show or hide back-facing surfaces of 3D mesh - useful for seeing inside buildings from outside and cleaning up the scene from unnecessary mesh pieces. Can be used alongside other display modes (RGB, X-ray, Surface).

Platform	Controls
VR	Switch from VR Tools Menu.
Desktop	Available in Display Modes panel at top of screen.
Igloo	Available
Web	Available

Visual / Scan Quality

Adjust rendering quality level for point cloud scans and 3D visuals.

Platform	Controls
VR	Available
Desktop	Available
Igloo	Available

This menu serves as the main control for enabling/disabling modes and accessing features.

To open VR Tools menu press Y on Tools controller. Select an entry by clicking it with Navigation controller, or move through entries with Tools controller thumbstick - left controller in right-handed setting - and select with Tools controller trigger. Selected entry is highlighted.

Set up Controllers Aim (more info Controller Aim)
Change Units that would be used in measurements and heightmap
Obtain different Measurements (Measurements in Cintoo Workspace)
Use Comparison tools (VR actions Comparison). Only Visual Check is available.
Switch Display mode including Heightmap, Backfaces and Indoor / Outdoor
Accessibility - Teleport and Vignette (off by default) and Gaze Track (on by default) options, saved between sessions. More details in Teleport Option, Vignette and Vision (Gaze) Control
Exit VR mode – exit to Desktop mode

Watch

Rotate wrist holding Navigation controller towards yourself to show a digital watch with current time, based on Windows time settings.

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