When you run Active Worlds for the first time, the controls will be set to their default assignments which you can change to suit your own likings. For the sake of simplification, the instructions on this page will address the default controls.

You can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move.  First, click inside the virtual reality window.  Second, depress your arrow keys.  All of the keys you need to move around and change your view are located on the number pad, which is on the right side of a standard extended keyboard. The diagram below indicates what each key on the numeric keypad does.

Flying (moving up and down)

With the controls set to their defaults, the + (plus) key on the numeric keypad moves you up, and the - (minus) key moves you back down again. You can hold these keys down to keep moving up or down, and you can use them in combination with the CTRL key to move faster or the SHIFT key to move through objects.

Note that on laptop computers, which don't have numeric keypads, the + and - keys are usually accessible via a combination of a function key and some other key on the laptop keyboard.

Using the plus key turns off gravity until you touch the ground again. While gravity is off, you can continue to fly up or down until your feet touch the ground again. Press the minus key until you touch in order to turn gravity off. While you're in Fly mode, you'll notice that you'll coast more before coming to a stop in either the horizontal or vertical direction. If you want to come to a sudden stop, you can press the "5" key (the "Stop key") in the center of the numeric keypad.

Swimming

Swimming is a lot like flying, but does not require you to have flying privileges, and only works while below the surface of the world's water table. You'll need to use the keyboard to swim up and down. Use your Page Up and Page Down keys or assigned Look Up and Look Down keys to adjust your pitch, and then use the assigned movement keys, or the mouse if you're in Mouse Mode, to get around under water.

Note that on laptop computers, which don't have numeric keypads, the + and - keys are usually accessible via a combination of a function key and some other key on the laptop keyboard.

Using the plus key turns off gravity until you touch the ground again. While gravity is off, you can continue to fly up or down until your feet touch the ground again. Press the minus key until you touch in order to turn gravity off. While you're in Fly mode, you'll notice that you'll coast more before coming to a stop in either the horizontal or vertical direction. If you want to come to a sudden stop, you can press the "5" key (the "Stop key") in the center of the numeric keypad.

Keyboard modifiers

Several keys on the keyboard have additional effects when used in conjunction with the primary movement keys:

• Moving faster - CTRL
  

  To move faster with either the mouse or the keyboard, hold down the CTRL (Control) key while you're moving.
  
  

• Moving through objects - SHIFT
  

  If an object is in front of you, it will stop you from moving forward. Likewise, an object behind you, on top of you or underneath you also blocks movement. To move through an object, just hold down the SHIFT key while you're moving. If you move through objects with SHIFT, you won't set off any bump triggers the object might contain.
  
  

• Moving sideways - SHIFT
  

  Using the SHIFT key along with the left or right arrow will cause you to "slide" sideways.
  
  

• Put on the brakes - "5" on the numeric keypad
  

  Press the "5" key in the center of the numeric keypad to come to an immediate stop. This is useful when you wish to position yourself very precisely.

Moving with the mouse

Before attempting to move with the mouse, you should first select "Advanced" mode if you are running a new installation of Active Worlds in Simple Mode.

To move with the mouse, click on the Move-Mode button on the toolbar (the button with a picture of a computer mouse on it). Moving with the mouse is straightforward:

• Pushing the mouse forward moves you forward.
• Moving the mouse left or right spins you around in place and faces you in a new direction.
• Pulling the mouse back moves you backward.
• You can also use the up and down arrow keys, or your assigned Move Forward and Move Backward keys to augment Mouse Mode movement.
• Pressing the F2 key brings the mouse pointer back and takes you out of Move Mode.

Moving with the mouse - "freelook" style

"Freelook" Move Mode is similar to Mouse Mode except that moving the mouse forward and back raises and lowers your viewpoint instead of moving your avatar forward and backward. In this mode you need to use the keyboard's arrow keys or your assigned Move Forward and Move Backward keys to move forward and backward. It is possible to assign the right mouse button as an alternate way of moving forward.

• Press the "5" key in the center of the numeric keypad to come to an immediate stop. This is useful when you would like to position yourself very precisely.

New Targeting Cursor

While in Move Mode, you will now have a targeting cursor to help you aim at things, for example to click on objects.