# How to map rotate, pan, zoom to manipulate controls

I am wondering if there is a way to restrict the motion of the rotate mouse cursor in when moving around a 3d plot.

For example, I want the y direction of the cursor to correspond to pulling the z axis toward or away from me (the camera), and the x direction to rotate the graphic around the z axis.

I can do something similar using,

Manipulate[
Graphics3D[{Sphere[{1, 0, 0}, 0.05], Sphere[{0, 0, 0}, 0.2],
{Arrow[{{0, 0, 0}, {1.1, 0, 0}}], Text["x", {1.2, 0, 0}],
Arrow[{{0, 0, 0}, {0, 1.1, 0}}], Text["y", {0, 1.2, 0}],
Arrow[{{0, 0, 0}, {0, 0, 1.1}}], Text["z", {0, 0, 1.2}]}},
ViewVector -> {40 {Cos[a] Sin[b], Sin[a] Sin[b], Cos[b]}, {0, 0, 0}},
ViewAngle -> 4 Degree ,
SphericalRegion -> True,
Boxed -> False
],
{{a, 0.3}, -2 \[Pi], 2 \[Pi]},
{{b, 1.347}, -2 \[Pi], 2 \[Pi]}
]


where sliding $a$ rotates the graphic around the z axis (or rather the viewpoint) and sliding $b$ pulls the z axis in or out.

# Edit to make description clearer

The 3 dimensional ViewVector seems to be changed somehow by the 2 dimensional "double arrow Rotation" cursor when clicking and dragging on the plot.

I am not even sure how this is possible, but is it possible to restrict it so that only 2 of the 3 Euler angles (e.g. rotation about the z axis and inclination of the x-y plane) are changed?

The third Euler angle is natively controlled by the "additional rotation" cursor, which is available when you put the cursor in the corner.

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I'm not sure I understood. You want to make the usual rotating mouse gestures do zooming and other camera stuff? – Rojolalalalalalalalalalalalala Sep 3 '12 at 23:14
It is hard to describe. Did you try the manipulate example above? What I would like is to map the vertical motion of the mouse when clicked and dragged to $b$ and the horizontal motion when clicked and dragged to $a$. – ShaunH Sep 4 '12 at 3:14
ShaunH, clear description. I haven't got it fresh in my head how ViewVector changes when you drag, and I don't have time now, and probably you do have it more clear, so I'll just suggest an idea. You can set ViewVector->Dynamic[{blabla}, ({a, b}=sth[#])&], to make it change as you wish. You can also use an event handler with MouseDragged or MouseClicked event – Rojolalalalalalalalalalalalala Sep 4 '12 at 3:36
@Rojo, I don't have a clear idea how ViewVector changes when you drag either! – ShaunH Sep 4 '12 at 5:29
@ShaunH have you read this post? – Silvia Sep 9 '12 at 6:20

OP has said:

For example, I want the y direction of the cursor to correspond to pulling the z axis toward or away from me (the camera), and the x direction to rotate the graphic around the z axis.

I don't know in which version it was introduced but "RotationControl" -> "Globe" does exactly what you are asking for.

Graphics3D[Cuboid[], Method -> {"RotationControl" -> "Globe"}]


This is not the answer to the general question about the 3rd Euler angle etc. Unfortunatelly I don't have time to play with this now.

If someone has time, here is my answer which shows how to play with mouse related events over Graphics3D:

Changing the Actions in EventHandler

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