Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide

Producing FlyThrough Sequences

The FlyThrough Producer utility provides a set of tools that let you create simple animations called flythrough sequences in which frames of stationary geometry are recorded by a virtual camera at specified intervals along a specified path.

Typically, a flythrough sequence is rehearsed, or previewed, in wireframe to validate the camera path and then is recorded as a series of rendered images.

The Movies utility (Utilities menu > Image > Movies) is used to play back these sequences and also to perform some simple editing tasks. See Playing and Editing Sequences.

Both simple and complex flythrough sequences also can be created using the animation camera tools (see Animation Camera and Target Basics).

General Procedure — To produce a flythrough sequence
  1. From the Utilities menu's Render submenu, choose FlyThrough.
    The FlyThrough Producer dialog box opens.

  2. From the View option menu, choose the source view for the animation.

  3. From the Shading option menu, choose Wireframe for “rehearsal” purposes or the desired rendering method for a finished or nearly finished sequence. See Rendering Modes.

  4. (Optional) Use the other controls in the dialog box to adjust the camera settings and set the output options. See Render > FlyThrough..

  5. Define the path that the camera is to follow and the camera target.
    The path can be an existing open element, or you can place an element in the design file. See     To define the path that the camera will travel during the sequence.

  6. Preview the sequence.
    Once you have adjusted the FlyThrough Producer settings and defined the camera path, you can preview the sequence before taking the time to record all the frames. See     To preview each frame in the output view

  7. Record the sequence. See To record a sequence.

    8. Step 4 can be performed before or after step 5.

To define the path that the camera will travel during the sequence
  1. Place a line, line string, arc, ellipse, curve, or B-spline curve to define the path the camera is to travel. (If you do not want the path to be visible in the sequence, place the path as a construction element, or on a separate level that is not displayed in the source view for the sequence.)

  2. From the FlyThrough Producer dialog box's Tools menu, choose Define Path.

  3. Identify the element that defines the camera path at the point at which the camera path is to begin.

  4. Accept the element at the point at which the camera path is to end.

For best results when placing a camera path around a design, place the camera path so that it lies on the x-y coordinate plane.
To preview each frame in the output view
  1. (Optional) To see each camera location and viewing volume for each frame along the camera path, choose Camera from the Tools menu's Preview submenu, in the FlyThrough Producer dialog box.

  2. From the Tools menu's Preview submenu, choose View in the FlyThrough Producer dialog box.

To record a sequence
  1. From the FlyThrough Producer dialog box's Tools menu, choose Record.
    The Record Sequence dialog box opens.

  2. From the Format option menu, choose the format in which to save the sequence.
    Refer to note, below, for information on choosing a format.

  3. In the Files field, enter the name of the sequence file, or the first file in the series.

  4. Use the controls in the Directories and Drives sections specify the destination drive and directory.

  5. Click the OK button.

    It is recommended that you choose a format that creates separate frame images, such as Targa or TIFF. When you select these formats, a separate file will be created automatically for each frame in the sequence. By default, when you select one of these formats, a number is added at the end of the filename and this number will be incremented for each frame saved. For example, if the name of the file is “orbit.dgn” then the first frame of a Targa-format sequence would be named “orbit01.tga” by default. Subsequent frame files then would be named “orbit02.tga,” “orbit03.tga,” “orbit04.tga,” and so on. In the event of an interruption to the process, you can return later and pick up from the next frame number in the sequence. If you choose to use a name other than the default, you must make sure that you add a number to it for incrementing during recording.

    If you choose FLI or FLC, the sequence will be saved as a single 256-color animation file. If you choose Windows AVI, the sequence will be saved as a single 24 Bit Color animation file. For these formats, however, the whole animation has to be retained in memory as it is processed. In the event of an interruption, you will lose the entire sequence and have to start again. It is recommended, therefore, that you select another format. Later, if necessary, you can convert the sequence to FLI/FLC or AVI via the Movie Player.


    6. The lower the resolution, the faster each frame is rendered. For example, use a low resolution to test your lighting and camera settings. Once you are satisfied with the production, record the sequence at a higher resolution.

    To achieve a smoother animation with FlyThrough Producer:

    • Minimize the difference between successive frames (use more frames).

    • Increase the speed at which the sequence is played.

    You can control what elements appear in the sequence. To avoid including lights or the camera path in the sequence, place those elements as construction elements or on a separate level(s). When you record the sequence, turn off Constructions, or the specific level(s) for the output view. Constructions are turned on and off for a view in the View Attributes dialog box (Settings menu > View Attributes).

    If the camera path twists and turns, you can create a “roller-coaster” effect by leaving the camera path visible in your sequence. The camera appears to chase the path.

    The Speed setting is stored only in “.fli” and “.flc” files. It is ignored when you save sequences in any other format.