Method for navigating in a multi-scale three-dimensional scene

A method for navigating a 3D scene in a viewing area includes associating a point of interest with a reference shape, which is related to the shape of the 3D object, and displaying a scene according to a user-requested action, while keeping the point of interest within the reference shape and within the viewing area. The user-requested action may include translation, rotation, and zooming. The point of interest may include scene information such as a magnification factor, local orientation, and global orientation. The methods for performing a user-requested action in a 2D representation of a 3D object include determining a distance between a point of interest and a viewpoint; determining an amount of movement from a user input; and performing the user-requested action at a rate based on the amount of movement from the user input multiplied by a distance factor based on the distance between the point of interest and the viewpoint. A system for displaying a 3D object includes a 2D display for displaying the 3D object and a computer operatively coupled to the 2D display, the computer having a program to display the 3D object on the 2D display, the program adapted to enable translation, zoom, and rotation of the representation while restricting a point of interest within a reference shape and within a viewing window on the 2D display.