Adding a Realtime Camera

Realtime Cameras are used to create the path the camera follows when creating movies and automatic walkthroughs. Multiple Realtime Cameras can be added to your landscape design; simply choose which one you would like to use when it is time to start a walkthrough or create a movie.

To add a Realtime Camera:

1.   Click the Add Realtime Camera button that appears near the top of the screen under the Utilities tab.

2.   Draw the path that you want the camera to follow by clicking the left mouse button to add points. Press the Backspace key to remove the last point added, or press the Esc key to cancel.

3.   To finish drawing the Realtime Camera path, right-click to place the last point or left click the first point (depending on whether you want an open or closed path).

In the picture below, a Realtime Camera borders a driveway design. Notice how a 3D camera appears on the selected point to give you an idea of what the Realtime Camera will view as it passes through that point.

In the picture below, a screenshot was taken during an automatic Realtime Walkthrough. Notice how the view of the picture below is seen through the eyes of the Realtime Camera at the point selected in the picture above.

Adjusting the Camera

After a Realtime Camera has been added to your landscape design, it will need to be adjusted so that it focuses on the most important parts of your landscape. This is done by adjusting the view of the camera at each point on the path.

To adjust the camera positions and angles:

1.   Click the Realtime Camera to select it.

2.   Click the Edit Points button found in the Properties.

3.   Click one of the points to select it. A small movie camera will appear showing the angle and direction the camera is facing at that particular point. A small window will also appear on the right side of the screen showing the landscape through the lens of the camera.

4.   To move the camera at the selected point, click and drag it to the desired position.

5.   To modify the height of the camera at the selected point, adjust the Elevation property.

6.   To modify the pitch (up/down angle) of the camera at the selected point, adjust the Angle property.

7.   To modify the direction (left/right angle) of the camera at the selected point, adjust the Direction property.

8.   Repeat the above steps for each point that you wish to adjust.

To use a Realtime Camera during a Realtime Walkthrough:

1.   Click the Walkthrough tab that is located to the lower-left of the screen. The dialog below will appear.

2.   Click the Realtime Camera (view moves automatically) option, and then select the camera you wish to use from the drop-down menu.

3.   Click the OK button to begin the Realtime Walkthrough.

4.   When you are finished viewing the walkthrough of your landscape design, press the Esc key on your keyboard.

Changing the Time of Day

Using the Time of day option, you can cause the time of day to change during the walkthrough. The shadows, lighting, sun/moon position, and sky will all be affected. When transitioning from day to night, landscape and other lighting in your design will automatically illuminate.

The transition normally occurs smoothly over a few seconds. However, if you want the transition to occur immediately, enable the previous point's Cut to next point option.

Icons in the Plan View

The following icons appear in the plan view to help visualize the actions you have set for the camera along each segment of the path.

Tips:

•      It is easiest to add and modify a Realtime Camera in the Top-Down view.

•      The Hold time property of a point on the camera path can be used to temporarily stop the camera at that point for a specified time.

•      The Camera speed property can be used to control the speed of camera as it passes through the selected point.

•      To modify the properties of multiple points at once, simply select all of the points you wish to adjust and then enter the desired property values. For example, to set the camera speed for several points at once, select the desired points and enter a value for the Camera speed property. For more information see Editing Points.

•      Multiple Realtime Cameras can be added to your landscape design. You can choose which of the cameras you would like to use when creating movies or entering a Realtime Walkthrough.

See also:

Realtime Camera Properties
Setting Object Properties
Selecting Objects
Selecting Points
Editing Objects
Creating a Movie
Realtime Walkthrough