A computer-implemented method for navigating a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment, the three dimensional environment comprising a three dimensional model of the Earth, wherein the virtual camera specifies a view of the three dimensional environment, comprising: A: determining a target location relative to the three dimensional model of the Earth in the three dimensional environment, the virtual camera at a first position to capture a vertical view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, wherein the three-dimensional model of the Earth is curved; B: determining a distance between a first location of the virtual camera and the target location in the three dimensional environment; C: determining a reduced distance relative to the distance determined in step; D: determining a tilt as a function of the reduced distance, wherein the function is defined such that the tilt approaches 90 degrees as the reduced distance approaches zero, the tilt specifying an angle relative to an upward vector from the target location; E: repositioning the virtual camera at a second location, the repositioning being carried out according to the tilt, the reduced distance and the target location, wherein the repositioning comprises rotating the camera to reduce or eliminate roll caused by curvature of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, wherein the rotating of the camera comprises rotating the camera by an angle between a first line segment connecting the first location and a center of the model of the Earth and a second line segment connecting the second location and the center of the model of the Earth; F: rotating the three-dimensional model of the Earth in the three dimensional environment such that the target location projects onto the same point on a viewport of the virtual camera when the virtual camera is at the first location and at the second location, wherein the model of the Earth is rotated by an angle between the first line segment and the second line segment in the direction of the tilt; and G: repeating steps B - F until the distance between the virtual camera and the target location is below a threshold to transition the virtual camera from the first position to capture the vertical view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth to a second position to capture a horizontal view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, the second position closer to the three-dimensional model of the Earth than the first position. A: determining a target location relative to the three dimensional model of the Earth in the three dimensional environment, the virtual camera at a first position to capture a vertical view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, wherein the three-dimensional model of the Earth is curved; B: determining a distance between a first location of the virtual camera and the target location in the three dimensional environment; C: determining a reduced distance relative to the distance determined in step; D: determining a tilt as a function of the reduced distance, wherein the function is defined such that the tilt approaches 90 degrees as the reduced distance approaches zero, the tilt specifying an angle relative to an upward vector from the target location; E: repositioning the virtual camera at a second location, the repositioning being carried out according to the tilt, the reduced distance and the target location, wherein the repositioning comprises rotating the camera to reduce or eliminate roll caused by curvature of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, wherein the rotating of the camera comprises rotating the camera by an angle between a first line segment connecting the first location and a center of the model of the Earth and a second line segment connecting the second location and the center of the model of the Earth; F: rotating the three-dimensional model of the Earth in the three dimensional environment such that the target location projects onto the same point on a viewport of the virtual camera when the virtual camera is at the first location and at the second location, wherein the model of the Earth is rotated by an angle between the first line segment and the second line segment in the direction of the tilt; and G: repeating steps B - F until the distance between the virtual camera and the target location is below a threshold to transition the virtual camera from the first position to capture the vertical view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth to a second position to capture a horizontal view of the three-dimensional model of the Earth, the second position closer to the three-dimensional model of the Earth than the first position.