A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system allows a user to walk the view along a horizontal plane in the view where a dead zone is provided in which no motion occurs when the cursor is in the zone and motion direction and speed is controlled by the relative position of the cursor with respect to the zone.