Script Camera


Script Camera dialog box

Used to script an animation camera in a sequence. When a camera is selected, the Script Camera dialog box opens. Settings in the Script Camera dialog box let you specify the frame number at which to begin using an animation camera and how the camera transitions are carried out.

When working with this tool, you can identify the animation cameras graphically, or you can double-click their names in the list box that appears when Display Camera List is on.

Tool Setting	Effect
Display Camera List	If on, a list box containing the names of existing cameras is displayed. A camera must be selected, either from this list or graphically, before the Script Camera dialog box opens.
Actor Name	Displays the name of the selected animation camera.
Begin Frame	Text field that lets you specify the frame number at which the animation camera becomes active.
Interpolate Camera Position	If on, the camera position is interpolated between camera locations. This is in addition to any scripted movement along a path or due to keyframing. If off, stops interpolation of the camera position between cameras. That is, the camera will “jump” from its location at the previous frame, to that of the new camera location at the frame number defined by the Begin Frame setting.
Interpolate View Plane	If on, the camera view plane is interpolated between camera locations. This is in addition to any scripted movement along a path or due to keyframing. If off, stops interpolation of the view plane between cameras. That is, the camera will “jump” from the previous frame's settings to those of the new camera at the frame number defined by the Begin Frame setting.
Interpolate Angle	If on, the camera angle is interpolated between camera locations. This is in addition to any scripted changes. If off, stops interpolation of the camera angle between cameras. That is, the camera will “jump” from the previous frame's settings to those of the new camera at the frame number defined by the Begin Frame setting.
Use Camera Roll	If on, the up (Y axis) vector for a camera is derived from the Y axis of the cell rather than one of the world coordinate axes.
Interpolation	Sets the method of interpolation when transitioning to the camera view. Linear — Transition path to the camera view, from the previous view, is a straight line. Spline — Transition path to the camera view, from the previous view, is interpolated as a B-spline curve. Generally provides a “smoother” and more natural looking transition between camera views.
Velocity	Sets the velocity of the transition to the camera from the previous view point. Constant — Transition is at a constant rate. Accelerate — Transition starts at rest, moving with constant acceleration. Decelerate — Transition constantly decelerates to finish at rest. Accelerate-Decelerate — Transition starts at rest, accelerates to half-way, then decelerates to finish at rest. Infinite — Transition is instantaneous, from the last viewing position to the camera view. Custom — Used when you edit a velocity curve through the Animator Velocity Graph dialog box.
Disabled	If on, script entry is disabled and displays in red in the Animation Producer list box.
OK	Accepts the settings and enters the script entry in the Animation Producer dialog box.
Cancel	Closes the dialog box without inserting an entry in the Animation Producer dialog box.

To specify the frame number at which to begin using a camera

Select the Script Camera tool.

Identify the camera.
The Script Camera dialog box opens.

In the Begin Frame field, key in the number of the frame to begin using the camera.

From the Interpolation option menu, choose the interpolation method — Linear or Spline — for the transition to the camera.

From the Velocity option menu, choose the velocity type — Constant, Accelerate, Decelerate, Accelerate-Decelerate, or Infinite — for the transition to the camera.

Click the OK button.
The script entry is added to the list in the Animation Producer dialog box.

Key-in: ANIMATOR CAMERA SCRIPT