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.
Symbol |
Description |

|
A green arrow will appear where the camera will
smoothly transition from one point to the next without cutting or
holding. |

|
An orange arrow will appear where the camera will
hold (pause) for a period of time. The orange arrow will appear between
the previous point and the point at which the pause will occur. |

|
A scissors icon will appear where the camera will
cut from one point to the next. The scissors icon will be placed between
the previous point and the point that the camera will cut
to. |
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
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