Set camera path: entering camera path in plan view

Tool(s): Set Camera Path

To enter or modify the camera path in plan view

• Divide the workspace into a number of viewports. For instance, you might have three viewports, each showing a different view of the design. Select 2+1 Animation Window.

1. Click Set Camera Path (How).
   

   Activate Set Camera Path in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Modify Presentation Animation

   • Palette: Tools Modify area in the following module(s):

   Animation

   • Configuration: Design Animation Settings flyout
2. In the Camera Path dialog box, click Set camera.

   A preview of the camera is displayed attached to the crosshairs.

   More parameters in the Camera Path dialog box

3. Place the camera symbol in plan.
4. Turn the camera into the required direction by clicking the camera’s target point.

   When only one animation window is open, "the view through this camera" is displayed in this animation window.

5. Place the next camera symbol and turn it in the required direction.
6. Enter the number of steps between the cameras.
7. To enter more camera positions, repeat steps 5 and 6.

   

   Detail:

   

   (A) Camera symbol with viewing direction and camera angle/focal length (here: telephoto lens, 18 degrees or 135mm)

   (B) Intermediate step with viewing direction

   (C) Camera path (here as a connecting spline)

8. To finish entering the camera path, press ESC.

   The Camera Path dialog box is displayed again.

9. When you click Set camera again, you can modify the camera path in order to make more detailed settings.
   The input options provide the following tools:
   • Insert Camera - inserts a camera after an existing camera position.
   • Move Camera - moves existing camera positions.
   • Rotate Camera - sets the viewing direction of the camera.
   • Delete Camera - deletes camera positions. The camera path is recalculated and the number of intermediate steps is retained provided the camera is not the first in the camera path.
   • Properties - displays the coordinates of the eye point, target point, focal length and intermediate steps to the previous and next camera. The information displayed can be modified.
   • Change Camera Size - changes the size of the camera displayed in plan.
10. Press ESC to quit each of the functions.
11. To finish entering/modifying the camera path, press ESC.

    The Camera Path dialog box is displayed again.

12. You can now set more parameters in the Camera Path dialog box.
13. To save the camera path, click OK to close the Camera Path dialog box.

Tip: The system will interpolate different camera angles and different focal lengths in successive cameras. This way, you can achieve a zoom effect without having to reset eye and target points.

Tip: In the Interpolation area in the Camera Path dialog box, you can define how the camera path is calculated in plan - linear or as a connecting spline. With the connecting spline setting, make sure that the camera does not intersect any walls when placing it within a building – in particular when the direction changes. It is better to set an additional camera immediately prior to the change in direction, correct the eye and target point manually, or select the Linear setting in the Interpolation area in the Camera Path dialog box.

Tip: You can also draw the camera path in advance using lines and points and then read in the coordinates of these points for the eye and target points using Match.
To obtain as smooth a movie as possible, you can use the Divide tool (on the Edit menu in the Draft module) to obtain cameras at equal distances from each other.