Camera Path Controls

1st Official Post

    I've been giving the new multi-point camera path tool a fairly extensive testing, and have searched as best I can for discussions relating to it, but in both cases I feel my efforts are running a little short. Namely;

    1. With time-control no longer a dedicated key, (unless using a joypad) often a slip of ones finger can "jolt" the view when attempting to set a time-lapse for a fixed camera.

    2. Related to the above, setting a time-lapse for a fixed camera using the video path seems now impossible, at least with the preview, since one can't (obviously) set two cameras, different times, in the same place.

    3. Further to the above, DOF, and other setting-adjustments between keyframes, doesn't seem to be supported, or I've forgotten the trick to achieve this.

    4. The transition between the keyframes does not appear linear, even with camera speed set to constant, insomuch, the video (or at least the preview) appears to blitz through closer-spaced frames.

    5. The transition between keyframes doesn't feel as fluid as it could be - with distinct jolts.

    6. Defining a linear dolly (of movement) is nigh-on-impossible

    7. The up-down movement keys do not appear isolated to the vertical (z-axis) and "move" the camera viewpoint forward/backward with a tilted (non-centred) head

    8. The keyframe editor does not feel particularly convincing - in that it is difficult to ascertain if the change to time (for example) has been committed - and a "next/previous keyframe" button would be a massive help

    9. etc


    Whilst I am very grateful for the addition of multipoint, I actually find myself longing for the linear 2-point, which, despite suffering some of the same above issues, felt more like I was composing (traditional) shots - which I was then (more than happy to) edit and collate in post.


    I've avoided adding this to the features request sub-forum, as I suspect some, if not all, of my points could be addressed through practice/guidance, which is what I am essentially posting this (to ask) for.... but in future releases, if the option to call points from a model were possible, perhaps (for example) employing a "widget" camera family* that one might place to "build" shots, (particularly for linear dollies, etc) then that would be immense.



    *I have one, but at work, which I'm not presently at, will follow up tomorrow.

    Quote from sdbrownaia

    Have you figured out how to move a camera path? I can't seem to move it only add more key frames.

    re-position yourself (as in fly off into the near-distance so that you can see the path and cameras) and click directly on one of the camera widgets, it'll take you to the editor-thing for that keyframe - if you move around now, whilst in that mode, and hit apply and it will effectively adjust the path (as the path is built as a spline passing through the points) - just be mindful that, at least in my efforts, too-sharp a turn of facing direction will throw the spline way out (not unlike Revit walkthrough has always has done)


    It's these "micro-adjustments" that I'm finding tricksy - as you may like the path you're on, but want to adjust your viewpoint, (or vice versa) and the distinction between the two is imprecise.


    I said I'd follow up on my "widget" idea... this is what we presently employ; an entourage family, (category switched from a line-based GM template) for composing "shot markers" - yes, a director's hand markup of a print is faster for setting these up, but we will place these elements in the model as a digital record.



    I've been a little slow with my Dynamo game, but the plan is to one day pull the XYZ of the origins and targets of these and set up views (there's a mind-melting thread over on RFo "explaining" how someone did the same pre-Dynamo with pure math for a security camera family!) - but if Enscape could leverage the same, and save me the homework, that'd be sweet!

    I don't understand how the keyframe works. I want to speed up the camera between 2 points without having to fiddle around too much.

    I don't understand what the toggle "timestamp" button does. Now I am lost and my film lasts 30 seconds instead of 2 minutes. How can I repair this ? Thanks.


    Hi guys...


    I would appreciate adding more controls for camera path editing.

    I wanted to create a rotating flyover around z axis (circle rail like) video and the path was distorted by some kinks on the beginning and end of the path.
    I created 8 camera positions, each 45 degree rotated to create a loop posibility. (btw selecting camera in Revit is hell. It always dissapears).

    I had to copy positions 7. (before) and 2. (after) the start and render longer video, altough I didnt used added frames in my loops, because of this wrong trajectory, that cant be edited... btw i had to edit the keyframes coordinates by notepad to addjust the height, because it was not corresponding to revit camera frames (in Revit - no focus length, ratio no settings at all)

    so the rendering took me 20% more time + setup and figuring this bug + editing paths several times.


    Controling and edditnig mode of the kyeframe path with bezier curves would be appreciated.


    The other thing is a material override option that in this case could save me tons of time. Only White color is not enough. Why dont you add a color picker for the global override materials? Sometines we cant change all the materials in whole complex model with references and linked stuff the files are big and it would take hours to reopen and save all the references.


    It would be nice, since we are engeneers, to give us more options of control to let us do what we want. (something like advanced and basic setup options).


    Thanks and keep up the good work! :thumbsup: add more controls...


    btw here is the result>

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    • Official Post

    Hey marian.jan , welcome to our forums and thank you for your first post. :)


    Quote from marian.jan

    I wanted to create a rotating flyover around z axis (circle rail like) video and the path was distorted by some kinks on the beginning and end of the path.

    First off, we already have a feature request on our agenda which would allow you to create an orbiting camera path, which could also be defined as a loop. This should be very useful to automatically, steadily orbit around an object/building etc. I've gladly added a further upvote to the request through your voice.


    Further, there is actually a workaround to more or less get rid of the kinks. The best way to deal with that is to create a couple more keyframes than you need, before and after the first and last keyframe, or put another way, a few extra keyframes before and after that kink point of yours.


    This is because the first and last keyframe do not have ease in/ease out, which results in there being no curve (or interpolation) to the Camera Path on these keyframes.


    Generally, if you have any further questions regarding this subject or the workaround in general, please kindly let me know and I'll gladly assist you accordingly.

    Quote from marian.jan

    (btw selecting camera in Revit is hell. It always dissapears).

    I'm not yet able to reproduce this problem - You do mean our "EnscapeCamera", is that correct? Which version of Revit are you using?

    Quote from marian.jan

    it was not corresponding to revit camera frames (in Revit - no focus length, ratio no settings at all)

    Pardon, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that yet. Could you elaborate on what you mean by "revit camera frames"? A few more details would be very helpful.


    Quote from marian.jan

    The other thing is a material override option that in this case could save me tons of time.

    So what you'd like to see implemented is the ability to just change the white color of our White Mode to another color like red, green, orange etc. through a color picker in the settings for example? Is there anything you wanna add to that feature request? :)

    Hi Mr. Gutberlet!


    the first two quotes were related to Revit, so dont bother about that much. I think its more about Revit being years behind...

    Quote
    • So what you'd like to see implemented is the ability to just change the white color of our White Mode to another color like red, green, orange etc. through a color picker in the settings for example? Is there anything you wanna add to that feature request?

    Recently we tried Vray for Revit and there are some advanced options of overriding materials. Maybe this could be inspirational for you:
    https://docs.chaosgroup.com/di…RAYREVIT/Global+Materials


    Anyway thanks for reply and I wish you good luck with enscape.


    Bye

    • Official Post

    Hey marian.jan , thank you for the response and the link. This is already filed as a feature request on our agenda. :) I'll add a further upvote and your feedback to the topic!