Using Builder Mode

Keep reading to learn about:

What is Builder Mode

How to Enter Builder Mode

Builder Mode Anatomy

Builder Mode Toolbar

Asset Selection Menu

Builder Mode Keyboard Shortcuts

 

---

 

What is Builder Mode?

Builder Mode lets you make changes to the design, content, and interactivity of a SchoolSpace world. Only Editors, Designers, Managers, and world Owners can access Builder Mode.

What Changes while in Builder Mode?

While you are in Builder Mode, you will see a new Builder Mode toolbar at the top of your screen and your avatar movement will be disabled. You will also automatically be placed in Audio Mode - you can still use your camera and mic to communicate with others in the world but everyone else's video tiles will be minimized to make it easier for you to see the entire world.

 

To Enter or Exit Builder Mode: 

1. Click Builder Mode  in the left sidebar or press B on your keyboard.
2. While in Builder Mode:
   • A grid will appear in the world.
   • The Builder Mode toolbar will be shown at the top of your browser.
   • Your avatar will be locked in place.
   • You will enter Audio Mode. You can control your camera on/off but will not see other users' video. 

 

---

 

Builder Mode Anatomy

When you enter Builder Mode, your view of the world will change. 

1. Builder Mode Toolbar
   Contains tools to help you build the world.
   Learn more about the Builder Mode toolbar.
2. Asset Selection Menu
   Opens when one or more assets are selected and allows you to make changes like:
   • Duplicate, erase, align, or flip assets.
   • Change asset size, location, or rotation.
   • Attach content like a website, image, video, or audio.
   Learn more about the Asset Selection Menu.
3. Canvas
   The area where assets are placed. Also referred to as "the world."
4. Left Sidebar
   The lower half of the left sidebar contains features and settings for building your world like entering or exiting Builder Mode . 

 

---

 

Builder Mode Toolbar

After you enter Builder Mode, you will see the Builder Mode toolbar at the top of your screen. 

1. Select 
   Allows you to select one or multiple assets to edit. Your cursor changes to an arrow. This is the default tool when you first enter Builder Mode.
   Learn how to use Select.
2. Pan
   Move your view of the world. Your cursor changes to a hand.
   Learn how to use Pan.
3. Erase
   Remove assets from the world. Your cursor changes to an eraser.
   Learn how to use Erase.
4. Undo and Redo
   Click to undo or redo up to 10 changes like erasing, moving, or transforming one or multiple assets.
5. Grid
   Click to hide or show the grid. The grid is turned on by default when you first enter Builder Mode.
6. Fit to Screen
   Click to quickly zoom out to view the entire world. 
7. Zoom
   Click to increase or decrease the zoom by 10% intervals.

 

To Use Select:

1. Click Select in the Builder Mode toolbar or press V on your keyboard. Your cursor will change to an arrow.
2. Select the asset(s):
   • Select One Asset: Click a single asset.
   • Select Multiple Assets: Hold Command (⌘) or Shift and click multiple assets. See keyboard shortcuts for more info.
   • Select All Assets: Command (⌘) + A or Control (Ctrl) + A. See keyboard shortcuts for more info.
3. The asset(s) will have a blue outline and the Asset Selection menu will open on the right side of your screen.

 

To Use Pan:

1. Click Pan in the Builder Mode toolbar or press H on your keyboard. Your cursor will change to a hand.
2. Click and drag in the canvas to change your view of the world.
3. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to pan by holding Spacebar and clicking and dragging with your mouse.

 

To Use Erase (Builder Mode Toolbar):

1. Click Erase in the Builder Mode toolbar or press E on your keyboard. Your cursor will change to an eraser.
2. Erase One Asset: Click a single asset to erase.
3. Erase Multiple Assets: Click and drag over assets to erase. A box will appear and all assets in the box will be erased.
4. If you accidentally erase one or multiple assets, use Undo to make them reappear.
5. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to erase one or more assets. With the asset(s) selected, press:
   • Mac: Delete
   • Windows: Backspace

 

---

 

Asset Selection Menu

When you select one or multiple assets, the Asset Selection menu will open on the right side of your screen. 

1. Selection and Tabs
   • Selection (#): Shows how many assets are currently selected.
   • Clear Selection: Click to deselect asset(s) and close this menu.
   • Design Tab: Make changes to the asset(s) appearance. 
   • Configuration Tab: Make changes to the interactivity of a single asset.
2. Actions
   Duplicate, erase, align, or flip the asset(s). These can also be accessed with keyboard shortcuts.
3. Transform
   Change asset size, location, or rotation.
4. Asset Details
   Shows an image of the asset, it's name in the Asset Library, when it was added to the world, and allows you to specify a Unique Name. If the asset is configured as a zone (i.e. Broadcast Zone, Private Zone, Mute Zone, or Landmark Zone) that information will also be shown here.

 

Actions

To Use Duplicate:

1. Select the asset(s) you want to duplicate.
2. Click Duplicate in the Actions section of the Asset Selection menu on the right side of your screen.
3. Click the canvas to place the asset(s) in the world. The asset(s) will be placed where you click.
4. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to duplicate. With one or more assets selected, press:
   • Mac: Command (⌘) + D
   • Windows: Control (Ctrl) + D

 

To Use Erase (Asset Selection Menu): 

1. Select the asset(s) you want to erase.
2. Click Erase in the Actions section of the Asset Selection menu on the right side of your screen. All selected assets will disappear from the world.
3. If you accidentally erase one or multiple assets, use Undo to make them reappear.
4. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to erase one or more assets. With the asset(s) selected, press:
   • Mac: Delete
   • Windows: Backspace

 

To Use Align:

1. Select multiple assets.
2. Click Align in the Actions section of the Asset Selection menu on the right side of your screen.
3. Choose:
   • Align Left: Aligns left edges with the leftmost edge of the leftmost asset.
   • Align Horizontal Center: Evenly spaces and aligns assets based on horizontal centers.
   • Align Right: Aligns right edges with the rightmost edge of the rightmost asset.
   • Align Top: Aligns top edges with the topmost edge of the topmost asset.
   • Align Vertical Center: Evenly spaces and aligns assets based on their vertical centers.
   • Align Bottom: Aligns bottom edges with the bottommost edge of the bottommost asset.
   • Distribute Horizontal Space: Evenly spaces and aligns assets along a horizontal axis.
   • Distribute Vertical Space: Evenly spaces and aligns assets along a vertical axis.
4. If you want to revert back to a previous arrangement of assets, use Undo . You can undo up to 10 changes. 
5. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to align.

 

To Use Flip:

1. Select the asset(s) you want to flip.
2. In the Actions section of the Asset Selection menu on the right side of your screen, choose:
   • Flip Horizontal: Flips the asset(s) along a horizontal axis.
   • Flip Vertical: Flips the asset(s) along a vertical axis.
3. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to flip. With one or more assets selected, press:
   • Flip Horizontal: Shift + H
   • Flip Vertical: Shift + V

 

Transform

To Adjust Asset Size:

1. Select the asset you want to make larger or smaller.
2. In the Transform section of the Asset Selection menu on the right side of your screen, either:
   • Drag the slider left to decrease size or right to increase size.
   • Enter a number between 1 and 200 in the text box.
   • Use the up or down arrows to increase or decrease size.

 

To Change Asset Location:

1. Select the asset(s) you want to move.
2. Change the values in the X or Y fields to reposition the asset(s). You can either:
   
   • Type a number in the field.
   • Use the up or down arrows.
3. If you have selected multiple assets, the center of your selection will equal the X and Y value entered in step 2. If you are saving the world as a scene, we recommend selecting all the assets in the world and changing both the X and Y values to 0 (zero).
4. You can also select and drag one or multiple assets directly on the canvas to reposition.

 

To Use Rotate:

1. Select the asset you want to rotate.
2. Change the value in the Rotate field. You can either:
   • Type a number in the field.
   • Use the up or down arrows.
3. The asset will rotate around it's own center based on the value in the Rotate field.

 

---

 

Keyboard Shortcuts

Note: Keyboard shortcuts are fully functional on Windows and Linux. On Mac, they work with an EN-US keyboard, but may vary with other layouts.