Three-dimensional orientation indicator and controller

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to control a three-dimensional scene view. A three-dimensional (3D) scene having one or more three-dimensional objects is displayed. A 3D representation of a coordinate system of the scene is displayed. The 3D representation contains a current viewpoint, one or more faces, one or more edges, and one or more corners with each face, edge, and corner representing a corresponding viewpoint of the scene. The 3D representation is manipulated. A new current viewpoint of the 3D representation is displayed based on the manipulation. The scene is then reoriented corresponding to the new current viewpoint based on the manipulation of the 3D representation.