This article will review how to get started using Visible Body Suite. Learn about available content, how to move the 3D models, search for preset views, and create your own custom content.
For a visual walkthrough of the content within this article, check out our fundamental user tutorial video "Getting Started with VB Suite".
How to access VB Suite
A VB Suite subscription gives you access to the web version on your desktop computer and the mobile version on your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Here are instructions for both.
These instructions require a VB Suite user account. See the individual and institutional subscription articles if you need help creating a VB Suite user account.
Download and launch the mobile app:
- Launch the App Store or Google Play.
- Search “Visible Body Suite” and download.
- Sign in using your VB Suite credentials
No internet is needed after sign in.
Launch the web version from a desktop computer:
- Visit websuite.visiblebody.com
- Sign in using your VB Suite credentials
There is no software to install for web access.
Where to start
After launching Visible Body Suite, you can (1) choose a topic on the home screen or search for something specific using (2) Content Search.
The other main menu items like (3) Spotlight show you the newest content, features, and external links to free resources; (4) Study, allows you to view Quizzes, Flashcards, and Lab Activities; (5) My Library, you can find any of the custom content that you have created and saved.
Navigating 3D models and keyboard controls
The 3D models in VB Suite have various controls that make it possible to see, add to, and dissect models. Here are the most used touch screen, keyboard, and mouse controls. (Download a printable PDF of these controls.)
- Rotate: Drag one finger to rotate the model or left click on the model to rotate
- Move/Pan: Drag two fingers to move the model around the screen or hold down the spacebar and drag the mouse to pan or drag the model across the screen
- Zoom/Scale: Spread two fingers apart to zoom in. Pinch two fingers together to zoom out or scroll up and down on the mouse to zoom in and out.
- Select: Tap on a structure to select it
- Change center of rotation: Double tap a structure to make it the center of rotation
- View Navigator: Located in the top left. Allows you to move back and forth between visited "Views."
Using Keyboard:
- Rotate: Up down left right arrows
- Move/Pan: W A S D keys
- Zoom/Scale: + or - key
VB Suite includes a comprehensive set of keyboard controls. These can be used instead of touch and mouse controls to interact with the 3D models, animations, illustrations, histology slides, diagnostic images, and many parts of the UI and software features.
How to learn more about a structure
Start with a 3D model and select a structure. The "Info" box will appear with additional information. Inside the Info box, if there's additional content related to the structure you’re viewing, you can select the additional icons to learn additional information.
- Book icon: structure definition
- Stethoscope icon: related common pathologies
- Speaker icon: pronunciation
- Multicolored icon: view bony landmarks, dental landmarks, areas of the cerebrum, dermatomes, and F.A.S.T. Exam peritoneal landmarks
- Red pin: learn about muscle details or attachments
How to customize a 3D view
You can edit a model to make it your own using the "Systems Tray", tools in the Info box, or anatomy search. To save the state of your model for future use, select "Save View". Saved Views appear in the "My Library" tab.
- Hide/fade/dissect
- Undo/redo/refresh
- Multiselect
- Isolate
- Anatomical Hierarchy/Breadcrumb trail
- Systems tray
- Anatomy search
- Change model from female to male
Add and remove anatomy
There are several ways to add and remove anatomy on screen.
Add:
- Anatomy Search: Located in the bottom menu bar. Search for specific structures and add them to the model on screen.
- Anatomical Hierarchy: Select a structure and tap its name, then view the hierarchy for that body system. Select any group in the hierarchy to add the models from that group to the model on screen.
- Radius Blast: Located in the Info box. Adds surrounding anatomy. Continue tapping to add anatomy until the button’s disabled. Select a nearby structure and tap Radius Blast again to add more anatomy.
- Systems tray: Adds all the 3D models from a body system to a view on screen. Use the "Region Picker" at the top of the System tray to limit the structures added to a specific body region.
Remove:
- Hide: Located inside of the Info box removes selected structures from the screen. Tap the "Multi-select" button in the bottom menu bar to select a series of structures, then select "Hide" to remove multiple structures from the screen. Tap "Options" under Select Others, choose "Same System", tap "Select Others" and then Hide.
- Dissect: Located in the bottom menu bar. Any structure selected is removed from the screen. When done with the dissection, tap the button again to turn off dissection mode.
- Systems tray: Select the icon for a system to remove its structures from the view on the screen
- Info box: Select a structure to view the Info box
- Isolate button: Located in Info Box. Tap the "Isolate" button to remove all unselected anatomy.
Interact with Muscle Actions
VB Suite includes dozens of common Muscle Actions that visually display actions, agonists, and synergists. These interactive 3D models have
Where to find Muscle Actions in the VB Suite Menu:
Search is the fastest way to find a specific muscle action. There is also the option to browse and the option to see actions by muscle:
- From the Home screen select Muscles and Kinesiology. From the top of the next screen, select the Muscle Actions to see a complete listing by region
- Tap on any 3D muscle model. Select the pin icon. The related actions appear in the Content Box
When viewing a muscle action there are a few features to note:
- When the listed muscle action is occurring muscles are in full color. When the model is resetting the colors fade and the animation speeds up.
- Select the info button to read information about the muscle action.
This includes a description of the action, the prime movers, and the synergists. - All the muscles on-screen are agonists involved in the muscle action.
Select any muscle to access its definition and pronunciation.
How did we create the collection of interactive muscle actions in VB Suite?
The VB content team references the best-selling texts and collaborated with educators and health practitioners. The team with reviewers chose the most commonly taught actions, and transformed what was once learned through muscle charts into interactive 3D!
Use cross sections and diagnostic images
The Human Anatomy section of VB Suite includes 3D cross sections and diagnostic images.
- Use the 3D navigation controls to zoom, rotate, pan, and select structures.
- Select the Images tray to compare 3D models to diagnostic images, and cadaver scans.
- Select pins on the images to identify key structures that have been matched to the 3D anatomy.
Use saved views to create a Tour
When in a 3D view, select "Save View" from the bottom menu bar to add the view to the My Library on the top bar of the home screen.
To link a set of saved views, go to My Library, then Tours from the top bar. Select Start. Select the desired views (there must be at least two) and select Save. The presentation will appear in the Tours menu.
The Study section
Use Flashcards, Quizzes, or Lab Activities to practice and learn more.
- Flashcards/Decks: Create your own Flashcards/Decks or browse our premade content
- Lab Activities: Designed to be used with worksheets available for free from the Visible Body website. Use the activities in Augmented Reality mode for a more engaging experience.
- Quizzes: Organized by system. Once in a Quiz, select a structure and submit an answer. In some cases, rotate around the model and hide structures to locate the correct answer.
Save and share visual content
Visible Body Suite has many features that make it possible to save favorites and share visual content with other VB Suite subscribers. Features include downloading an image, and generating a share link or a QR code to an interactive asset in the software. When anyone with an active VB Suite account uses the share link or the QR code, VB Suite will open to the exact visual asset. Visual assets that can be shared include:
- 3D views
- Tours
- Flashcard decks
- Animations
- Illustrations
- Histology slides
- Diagnostic scans and cadaver images
The Save, Share, and Launch Link features are available from the three dot menu on the main thumbnail screen or the Share button on the visual asset screen.
Share visual content from the thumbnail screen:
Share from a visual asset screen (web):
Share from a visual asset screen (mobile):
For ideas and examples on sharing visual content in education settings, visit the VB blog and instructor community.
Using Share Links and QR codes
Want to share 3D models and other content with students, instructors. or patients? Anyone with an active VB Suite user account can share or launch visual content by using a QR code or Share link:
- Scan or select the QR code from a mobile device
- Copy the Share Link
- Locate the Launch Link option in VB Suite
- Paste and select launch
Set preferences
Watch this video to learn how to change your preferences and how to make Visible Body more accessible.