New Camera Tool: Point Camera [*new version 6 *]
Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:36 pm
*** UPDATE : There is now a version 6 with more functionality ***
Camera Tool: Point Camera
What it does: This tool allows the user to select a Layer and a Frame Range... when executed the camera will always look directly at the layer for the entirety of the frame range.
The way it works:
- Select a Layer (vector layers should work, others not sure - beta- )
- Select Point Camera in Tools
- Enter desired Frame Range in Toolbar area at top of screen
- Hit Execute
Things it DOES NOT CHANGE: camera position, layer position, camera zoom
Note the camera and layer may move around during this in any pattern!!!
WARNINGS: there are three cases that are prone to problems. When the layer and camera are at same point. In this case Point Camera does not add a keyframe, and leaves the frame alone. The other two cases occur when the layer is directly overhead or directly underneath the camera. This is dangerous, because panning just looks like rolling. It will still create a keyframe here though, and leave pan alone.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS (or in this case, two videos):
TUTORIAL 5.8.
BEFORE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTI_gqJhDrk
AFTER: (pointing at Tree 7 for entire animaton).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YkazxgpsjQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation files: http://www.peteroid.com/share/pao_point_camera.zip
unzip. Add pao_point_camera.lua and the two image files to the 'tool' folder under the AS folder.
There are now two versions included. 'pao_point_camera.lua' works for me in ASP7. 'pao_point_camera_AS5.lua' is an attempt to get it to work in AS5... I don't have AS5 so I can't test it. [UPDATE: tested and works]
If using the AS5 version, be sure to change the name of the file 'pao_point_camera_AS5.lau' to 'pao_point_camera.lua' before putting it in 'tool'.
Then you may update your '_tool_list' to be 'similar' to the EXAMPLE I've include. The one I included, if you just copy it and paste (the contents, it must still be named '_tool_list' in the 'tool' folder), it WILL work, but will remove the ability to use any other tools you might have custom installed in the past. Don't fool with this unless you really know what your doing.... (so how the hell did I manage...lol)...
You can skip the above '_tool_list' step, it just means the Tool will appear in the 'Other' Tool section and not in the Camera Tool section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have not yet tested with anything but exactly one layer selected. I don't know what happens yet if the layer is not a vector layer.
So I still have to do error processing, if any.
Right now it will do this for frame 0 (is that ok?)
As a kind or added feature, if start > end then it just does the two end points (it will then tween between instead of being perfect). if start = end it just does that frame.
* * *
I have in mind MANY techniques that this can be used for. I'll post those in the future. but I want to test what I have first!
Let me know what you think!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: [*new version 5*]
New version allows reversal of camera and to adjust the location the camera is focusing on by an (dx,dy,dz) delta vector.
UPDATE: [*new version 6*]
Added 'Use Parents'. When this is checked the position of the Layer takes into account any effects by the Parent[s]. Thus, it is the trues spacial location in the 3D world. Typically, this option will be set to true.
PS - I have also added this feature to my other camera tools, so get new versions (I tend to improve them on occasion without notice...hehe).
Camera Tool: Point Camera
What it does: This tool allows the user to select a Layer and a Frame Range... when executed the camera will always look directly at the layer for the entirety of the frame range.
The way it works:
- Select a Layer (vector layers should work, others not sure - beta- )
- Select Point Camera in Tools
- Enter desired Frame Range in Toolbar area at top of screen
- Hit Execute
Things it DOES NOT CHANGE: camera position, layer position, camera zoom
Note the camera and layer may move around during this in any pattern!!!
WARNINGS: there are three cases that are prone to problems. When the layer and camera are at same point. In this case Point Camera does not add a keyframe, and leaves the frame alone. The other two cases occur when the layer is directly overhead or directly underneath the camera. This is dangerous, because panning just looks like rolling. It will still create a keyframe here though, and leave pan alone.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS (or in this case, two videos):
TUTORIAL 5.8.
BEFORE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTI_gqJhDrk
AFTER: (pointing at Tree 7 for entire animaton).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YkazxgpsjQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation files: http://www.peteroid.com/share/pao_point_camera.zip
unzip. Add pao_point_camera.lua and the two image files to the 'tool' folder under the AS folder.
There are now two versions included. 'pao_point_camera.lua' works for me in ASP7. 'pao_point_camera_AS5.lua' is an attempt to get it to work in AS5... I don't have AS5 so I can't test it. [UPDATE: tested and works]
If using the AS5 version, be sure to change the name of the file 'pao_point_camera_AS5.lau' to 'pao_point_camera.lua' before putting it in 'tool'.
Then you may update your '_tool_list' to be 'similar' to the EXAMPLE I've include. The one I included, if you just copy it and paste (the contents, it must still be named '_tool_list' in the 'tool' folder), it WILL work, but will remove the ability to use any other tools you might have custom installed in the past. Don't fool with this unless you really know what your doing.... (so how the hell did I manage...lol)...
You can skip the above '_tool_list' step, it just means the Tool will appear in the 'Other' Tool section and not in the Camera Tool section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have not yet tested with anything but exactly one layer selected. I don't know what happens yet if the layer is not a vector layer.
So I still have to do error processing, if any.
Right now it will do this for frame 0 (is that ok?)
As a kind or added feature, if start > end then it just does the two end points (it will then tween between instead of being perfect). if start = end it just does that frame.
* * *
I have in mind MANY techniques that this can be used for. I'll post those in the future. but I want to test what I have first!
Let me know what you think!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: [*new version 5*]
New version allows reversal of camera and to adjust the location the camera is focusing on by an (dx,dy,dz) delta vector.
UPDATE: [*new version 6*]
Added 'Use Parents'. When this is checked the position of the Layer takes into account any effects by the Parent[s]. Thus, it is the trues spacial location in the 3D world. Typically, this option will be set to true.
PS - I have also added this feature to my other camera tools, so get new versions (I tend to improve them on occasion without notice...hehe).