---
name: "SoVRMLProximitySensor"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "coin"
version: "1:4.0.10-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SoVRMLProximitySensor"
---

# SoVRMLProximitySensor(3)

The SoVRMLProximitySensor class is used to generate events when the viewer enters or exits a region.

## NAME

SoVRMLProximitySensor - The **SoVRMLProximitySensor** class is used to generate events when the viewer enters or exits a region.

## SYNOPSIS

\#include \<Inventor/VRMLnodes/SoVRMLProximitySensor.h\>

Inherits **SoNode**.

### Public Member Functions

virtual **SoType** **getTypeId** (void) const\
 **SoVRMLProximitySensor** (void)\
 virtual SbBool **affectsState** (void) const\
 virtual void **doAction** (**SoAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **GLRender** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **callback** (**SoCallbackAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **rayPick** (**SoRayPickAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **getBoundingBox** (**SoGetBoundingBoxAction** \*action)\

Public Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** void **setOverride** (const SbBool state)\
 SbBool **isOverride** (void) const\
 void **setNodeType** (const **NodeType** type)\
 **NodeType** **getNodeType** (void) const\
 virtual **SoNode** \* **copy** (SbBool copyconnections=FALSE) const\
 virtual void **GLRenderBelowPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **GLRenderInPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **GLRenderOffPath** (**SoGLRenderAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **getMatrix** (**SoGetMatrixAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **handleEvent** (**SoHandleEventAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **pick** (**SoPickAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **search** (**SoSearchAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **write** (**SoWriteAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **audioRender** (**SoAudioRenderAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **getPrimitiveCount** (**SoGetPrimitiveCountAction** \*action)\
 virtual void **grabEventsSetup** (void)\
 virtual void **grabEventsCleanup** (void)\
 virtual void **startNotify** (void)\
 SbUniqueId **getNodeId** (void) const\
 virtual **SoChildList** \* **getChildren** (void) const\
 virtual void **writeInstance** (**SoOutput** \*out)\
 virtual **SoNode** \* **addToCopyDict** (void) const\
 virtual void **copyContents** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*from, SbBool copyconnections)\
 virtual **SoFieldContainer** \* **copyThroughConnection** (void) const\

Public Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** void **setToDefaults** (void)\
 SbBool **hasDefaultValues** (void) const\
 SbBool **fieldsAreEqual** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*container) const\
 void **copyFieldValues** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*container, SbBool copyconnections=FALSE)\
 SbBool **set** (const char \*const fielddata)\
 void **get** (**SbString** &fielddata)\
 virtual int **getFields** (**SoFieldList** &l) const\
 virtual int **getAllFields** (**SoFieldList** &l) const\
 virtual **SoField** \* **getField** (const **SbName** &name) const\
 virtual **SoField** \* **getEventIn** (const **SbName** &name) const\
 virtual **SoField** \* **getEventOut** (const **SbName** &name) const\
 SbBool **getFieldName** (const **SoField** \*const field, **SbName** &name) const\
 SbBool **enableNotify** (const SbBool flag)\
 SbBool **isNotifyEnabled** (void) const\
 SbBool **set** (const char \*fielddata, **SoInput** \*input)\
 void **get** (**SbString** &fielddata, **SoOutput** \*out)\
 virtual SbBool **validateNewFieldValue** (**SoField** \*field, void \*newval)\
 virtual void **addWriteReference** (**SoOutput** \*out, SbBool isfromfield=FALSE)\
 SbBool **getIsBuiltIn** (void) const\
 virtual void **getFieldsMemorySize** (size\_t &managed, size\_t &unmanaged) const\
 void **setUserData** (void \*userdata) const\
 void \* **getUserData** (void) const\

Public Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** void **ref** (void) const\
 void **unref** (void) const\
 void **unrefNoDelete** (void) const\
 int32\_t **getRefCount** (void) const\
 void **touch** (void)\
 SbBool **isOfType** (**SoType** type) const\
 Returns TRUE if the type of this object is either of the same type or inherited from *type*.  virtual **SbName** **getName** (void) const\
 virtual void **setName** (const **SbName** &newname)\
 void **addAuditor** (void \*const auditor, const **SoNotRec::Type** type)\
 void **removeAuditor** (void \*const auditor, const **SoNotRec::Type** type)\
 const **SoAuditorList** & **getAuditors** (void) const\
 SbBool **shouldWrite** (void)\
 void **assertAlive** (void) const\

### Static Public Member Functions

static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\
 static void **initClass** (void)\

Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** static uint32\_t **getCompatibilityTypes** (const **SoType** &nodetype)\
 static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\
 static **SoNode** \* **getByName** (const **SbName** &name)\
 static int **getByName** (const **SbName** &name, **SoNodeList** &l)\
 static void **initClass** (void)\
 Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system.     static void **initClasses** (void)\
 static SbUniqueId **getNextNodeId** (void)\
 static int **getActionMethodIndex** (const **SoType** type)\
 static void **getBoundingBoxS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **GLRenderS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **callbackS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **getMatrixS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **handleEventS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **pickS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **rayPickS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **searchS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **writeS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **audioRenderS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\
 static void **getPrimitiveCountS** (**SoAction** \*action, **SoNode** \*node)\

Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** static void **initClass** (void)\
 Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system.     static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\
 This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class.     static void **cleanupClass** (void)\
 static void **initCopyDict** (void)\
 static void **addCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig, const **SoFieldContainer** \*copy)\
 static **SoFieldContainer** \* **checkCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig)\
 static **SoFieldContainer** \* **findCopy** (const **SoFieldContainer** \*orig, const SbBool copyconnections)\
 static void **copyDone** (void)\

Static Public Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** static void **initClass** (void)\
 Sets up initialization for data common to all instances of this class, like submitting necessary information to the Coin type system.  static **SoType** **getClassTypeId** (void)\
 This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class.  static void **addName** (**SoBase** \*const base, const char \*const name)\
 static void **removeName** (**SoBase** \*const base, const char \*const name)\
 static void **incrementCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\
 static void **decrementCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\
 static **SoBase** \* **getNamedBase** (const **SbName** &name, **SoType** type)\
 static int **getNamedBases** (const **SbName** &name, **SoBaseList** &baselist, **SoType** type)\
 static SbBool **read** (**SoInput** \*input, **SoBase** \*&base, **SoType** expectedtype)\
 static void **setInstancePrefix** (const **SbString** &c)\
 static void **setTraceRefs** (SbBool trace)\
 static SbBool **getTraceRefs** (void)\
 static SbBool **connectRoute** (**SoInput** \*input, const **SbName** &fromnodename, const **SbName** &fromfieldname, const **SbName** &tonodename, const **SbName** &tofieldname)\
 static SbBool **readRoute** (**SoInput** \*input)\

### Public Attributes

**SoSFVec3f** **center**\
 **SoSFVec3f** **size**\
 **SoSFBool** **enabled**\
 **SoSFBool** **isActive**\
 **SoSFVec3f** **position\_changed**\
 **SoSFRotation** **orientation\_changed**\
 **SoSFTime** **enterTime**\
 **SoSFTime** **exitTime**\

### Protected Member Functions

virtual const **SoFieldData** \* **getFieldData** (void) const\
 virtual **~SoVRMLProximitySensor** ()\
 virtual void **notify** (**SoNotList** \*list)\

Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** **SoNode** (void)\
 virtual **~SoNode** ()\
 virtual SbBool **readInstance** (**SoInput** \*in, unsigned short flags)\

Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoFieldContainer** **SoFieldContainer** (void)\
 virtual **~SoFieldContainer** ()\

Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** **SoBase** (void)\
 virtual **~SoBase** ()\
 virtual void **destroy** (void)\
 SbBool **hasMultipleWriteRefs** (void) const\
 SbBool **writeHeader** (**SoOutput** \*out, SbBool isgroup, SbBool isengine) const\
 void **writeFooter** (**SoOutput** \*out) const\
 virtual const char \* **getFileFormatName** (void) const\
 virtual **SoNotRec** **createNotRec** (void)\

### Static Protected Member Functions

static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\

Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoNode** static const **SoFieldData** \*\* **getFieldDataPtr** (void)\
 static void **setNextActionMethodIndex** (int index)\
 static int **getNextActionMethodIndex** (void)\
 static void **incNextActionMethodIndex** (void)\
 static void **setCompatibilityTypes** (const **SoType** &nodetype, const uint32\_t bitmask)\

Static Protected Member Functions inherited from **SoBase** static uint32\_t **getCurrentWriteCounter** (void)\
 static void **staticDataLock** (void)\
 static void **staticDataUnlock** (void)\

### Additional Inherited Members

Public Types inherited from **SoNode** enum **NodeType** { **INVENTOR** = 0x0000, **VRML1** = 0x0001, **VRML2** = 0x0002, **INVENTOR\_1** = 0x0004, **INVENTOR\_2\_0** = 0x0008, **INVENTOR\_2\_1** = 0x0010, **INVENTOR\_2\_5** = 0x0020, **INVENTOR\_2\_6** = 0x0040, **COIN\_1\_0** = 0x0080, **COIN\_2\_0** = 0x0100, **EXTENSION** = 0x0200, **COIN\_2\_2** = 0x0400, **COIN\_2\_3** = 0x0800, **COIN\_2\_4** = 0x1000, **INVENTOR\_5\_0** = 0x2000, **COIN\_2\_5** = 0x4000, **COIN\_3\_0** = 0x8000, **INVENTOR\_6\_0** = 0x10000, **COIN\_4\_0** = 0x20000 }\

Protected Types inherited from **SoBase** enum **BaseFlags** { **IS\_ENGINE** = 0x01, **IS\_GROUP** = 0x02 }\

Protected Attributes inherited from **SoNode** SbUniqueId **uniqueId**\

Protected Attributes inherited from **SoFieldContainer** SbBool **isBuiltIn**\

Static Protected Attributes inherited from **SoNode** static SbUniqueId **nextUniqueId** = 1\
 static int **nextActionMethodIndex** = 0\

## Detailed Description

The **SoVRMLProximitySensor** class is used to generate events when the viewer enters or exits a region.

**The detailed class documentation is taken verbatim from the VRML97 standard (ISO/IEC 14772-1:1997). It is copyright The Web3D Consortium, and is used by permission of the Consortium:**\

```
ProximitySensor {
  exposedField SFVec3f    center      0 0 0    # (-,)
  exposedField SFVec3f    size        0 0 0    # [0,)
  exposedField SFBool     enabled     TRUE
  eventOut     SFBool     isActive
  eventOut     SFVec3f    position_changed
  eventOut     SFRotation orientation_changed
  eventOut     SFTime     enterTime
  eventOut     SFTime     exitTime
}
```

The ProximitySensor node generates events when the viewer enters, exits, and moves within a region in space (defined by a box).

A proximity sensor is enabled or disabled by sending it an enabled event with a value of TRUE or FALSE. A disabled sensor does not send events.

A ProximitySensor node generates isActive TRUE/FALSE events as the viewer enters and exits the rectangular box defined by its center and size fields. Browsers shall interpolate viewer positions and timestamp the isActive events with the exact time the viewer first intersected the proximity region.

The *center* field defines the centre point of the proximity region in object space. The *size* field specifies a vector which defines the width (x), height (y), and depth (z) of the box bounding the region. The components of the size field shall be greater than or equal to zero. ProximitySensor nodes are affected by the hierarchical transformations of their parents.

The *enterTime* event is generated whenever the isActive TRUE event is generated (user enters the box), and *exitTime* events are generated whenever an isActive FALSE event is generated (user exits the box).

The *position\_changed* and *orientation\_changed* eventOuts send events whenever the user is contained within the proximity region and the position and orientation of the viewer changes with respect to the ProximitySensor node's coordinate system including enter and exit times.

The viewer movement may be a result of a variety of circumstances resulting from browser navigation, ProximitySensor node's coordinate system changes, or bound Viewpoint node's position or orientation changes.

Each ProximitySensor node behaves independently of all other ProximitySensor nodes. Every enabled ProximitySensor node that is affected by the viewer's movement receives and sends events, possibly resulting in multiple

ProximitySensor nodes receiving and sending events simultaneously. Unlike TouchSensor nodes, there is no notion of a ProximitySensor node lower in the scene graph "grabbing" events.

Instanced (DEF/USE) ProximitySensor nodes use the union of all the boxes to check for enter and exit. A multiply instanced ProximitySensor node will detect enter and exit for all instances of the box and send enter/exit events appropriately. However, the results are undefined if the any of the boxes of a multiply instanced ProximitySensor node overlap.

A ProximitySensor node that surrounds the entire world has an enterTime equal to the time that the world was entered and can be used to start up animations or behaviours as soon as a world is loaded.

A ProximitySensor node with a box containing zero volume (i.e., any size field element of 0.0) cannot generate events. This is equivalent to setting the enabled field to FALSE.

A ProximitySensor read from a VRML file shall generate isActive TRUE, position\_changed, orientation\_changed and enterTime events if the sensor is enabled and the viewer is inside the proximity region.

A ProximitySensor inserted into the transformation hierarchy shall generate isActive TRUE, position\_changed, orientation\_changed and enterTime events if the sensor is enabled and the viewer is inside the proximity region.

A ProximitySensor removed from the transformation hierarchy shall generate isActive FALSE, position\_changed, orientation\_changed and exitTime events if the sensor is enabled and the viewer is inside the proximity region.

## Constructor & Destructor Documentation

### SoVRMLProximitySensor::SoVRMLProximitySensor (void )

Constructor.

### SoVRMLProximitySensor::~SoVRMLProximitySensor () \[protected\], \[virtual\]

Destructor.

## Member Function Documentation

### SoType SoVRMLProximitySensor::getClassTypeId (void ) \[static\]

This static method returns the **SoType** object associated with objects of this class.

### SoType SoVRMLProximitySensor::getTypeId (void ) const \[virtual\]

Returns the type identification of an object derived from a class inheriting **SoBase**. This is used for runtime type checking and "downward" casting.

Implements **SoBase**.

### const SoFieldData \*\* SoVRMLProximitySensor::getFieldDataPtr (void ) \[static\], \[protected\]

*This API member is considered internal to the library, as it is not likely to be of interest to the application programmer.*\

 Returns the **SoFieldData** class which holds information about fields in this node.

### const SoFieldData \* SoVRMLProximitySensor::getFieldData (void ) const \[protected\], \[virtual\]

Returns a pointer to the class-wide field data storage object for this instance. If no fields are present, returns NULL.

Reimplemented from **SoFieldContainer**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::initClass (void ) \[static\]

### SbBool SoVRMLProximitySensor::affectsState (void ) const \[virtual\]

Returns TRUE if the node could have any effect on the state during traversal.

If it returns FALSE, no data in the traversal state will change from the pre-traversal state to the post-traversal state. The **SoSeparator** node will for instance return FALSE, as it pushes and pops the state before and after traversal of its children. All **SoShape** nodes will also return FALSE, as just pushing out geometry data to the rendering engine won't affect the actual rendering state.

The default method returns TRUE, on a "better safe than sorry" philosophy.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::doAction (SoAction \* action) \[virtual\]

This function performs the typical operation of a node for any action.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::GLRender (SoGLRenderAction \* action) \[virtual\]

Action method for the **SoGLRenderAction**.

This is called during rendering traversals. Nodes influencing the rendering state in any way or want to throw geometry primitives at OpenGL override this method.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::callback (SoCallbackAction \* action) \[virtual\]

Action method for **SoCallbackAction**.

Simply updates the state according to how the node behaves for the render action, so the application programmer can use the **SoCallbackAction** for extracting information about the scene graph.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::rayPick (SoRayPickAction \* action) \[virtual\]

Action method for **SoRayPickAction**.

Checks the ray specification of the *action* and tests for intersection with the data of the node.

Nodes influencing relevant state variables for how picking is done also override this method.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::getBoundingBox (SoGetBoundingBoxAction \* action) \[virtual\]

Action method for the **SoGetBoundingBoxAction**.

Calculates bounding box and center coordinates for node and modifies the values of the *action* to encompass the bounding box for this node and to shift the center point for the scene more towards the one for this node.

Nodes influencing how geometry nodes calculate their bounding box also override this method to change the relevant state variables.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

### void SoVRMLProximitySensor::notify (SoNotList \* l) \[protected\], \[virtual\]

Notifies all auditors for this instance when changes are made.

Reimplemented from **SoNode**.

## Member Data Documentation

### SoSFVec3f SoVRMLProximitySensor::center

The center of the region. Default value is (0,0,0).

### SoSFVec3f SoVRMLProximitySensor::size

The region size. Default value is (0, 0, 0).

### SoSFBool SoVRMLProximitySensor::enabled

Enable/disable sensor. Default value is TRUE.

### SoSFBool SoVRMLProximitySensor::isActive

An eventOut that is sent every time the sensor changes state.

### SoSFVec3f SoVRMLProximitySensor::position\_changed

An eventOut that is sent when the viewer is inside the region and the viewer position or orientation is changed.

### SoSFRotation SoVRMLProximitySensor::orientation\_changed

An eventOut that is sent when the viewer is inside the region and the viewer position or orientation is changed.

### SoSFTime SoVRMLProximitySensor::enterTime

An eventOut that is sent when the viewer enters the region.

### SoSFTime SoVRMLProximitySensor::exitTime

An eventOut that is sent when the viewer exits the region.

## Author

Generated automatically by Doxygen for Coin from the source code.
