Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide

Define Camera

Use it!

Used to set up a view for rendering graphically by manipulating the dynamically displayed view cone via “handles” at strategic points. Alternatively, you can use Define Camera for specific manipulations, and its settings window for precision inputs. To assist you visualize the design as you manipulate the camera, the viewing cone can be displayed in all other views.

With Continuous View Updates turned on, the camera view updates dynamically as you manipulate the view cone in the other views. When used in conjunction with QuickVision, you can have your camera view displayed as a smooth rendered view as you position the camera.

The Define Camera settings window lets you display only those settings that you require. With the More/Hide button you can quickly display or dismiss the more settings group box. Within this group box, Show/Hide buttons let you expand only those settings that you wish to examine or modify.

The Define Camera settings window on initial opening. Clicking the More button displays available settings.

  

Clicking the Show button on a setting, opens its precision input fields.

  

Fields in each of the settings update as modifications are made to the view cone. Alternatively, values can be input directly to the relevant settings.

  

When the Define Camera tool is used for the first time, in a design, you are prompted to choose an Active View. This view becomes the camera view. If Display View Cone is turned on (in the Define Camera settings window), then view cones appear in the other open views that display the same region of the design. These show the viewing extents of the camera view. The shape and features of the view cone will depend on the Projection active at the time.

The tool settings for Define Camera apply to the viewing parameters of the active or camera view. You can change this view's parameters by keying in values to the various fields. When you make changes to the view interactively, values in these fields update automatically. Interactive adjustments can be made via the view cone, or directly in the camera view using one of the Camera Action settings.

The Define Camera settings window, showing all settings input fields.

  

You can control the orientation of the view cone by positioning handles, either dynamically, or by entering values in the Define Camera settings window. To display the view cone, you must ensure that Display View Cone is turned on, in the Define Camera settings window.

To assist you in relating the view cone to the camera view, it is color coded. In the view cone geometry, the red line equates to the top left corner of the camera view, the green line to the top right corner, and the two blue lines to the lower corners of the camera view.

Handles appear as small squares on the view cones. You can use these to modify the viewing parameters interactively. When Continuous View Updates is turned on, the camera view updates dynamically as you modify the view cone. When modifying a view cone:

Where you know the exact coordinates at which you wish to place the eye point or target, you can use precision inputs.

All modifications to the view cone, in any view, adjusts the viewing parameters of the camera view, which is selected when you first select the Define Camera tool. You may change the camera view.

Tool SettingEffect
Camera Action

The following Camera Action settings are used to make interactive adjustments in the view:

  • Pan
    • — Modify the view (cone) by revolving either the Camera about the Target (horizontally or vertically), or vice-versa.
  • Pan Horizontal
    • — Modify the view (cone) by revolving either the Camera horizontally (only) about the Target, or vice-versa.
  • Pan Vertical
    • — Modify the view (cone) by revolving either the Camera vertically (only) about the Target, or vice-versa.
  • Roll
    • — Roll, or rotate, the Camera about the z-axis of the camera view. For this setting, there is no difference whether the Reference Point is set to Eye or Target.
  • Dolly/Elevate
    • — Move the camera view cone, linearly, in a horizontal or vertical direction. This lets you move the camera sideways or vertically relative to the camera view. The action is similar to moving the view cone via its middle handle.
  • Dolly
    • — Move the camera view cone directly in to or out from the view. As well you can move it sideways. This action is similar to moving the view cone via its middle handle.
  • Lens Focal Length
    • — Manipulate the focal length of the camera lens of the camera view by changing the distance between the Target and the Eye Point or camera.
  • Lens View Angle
    • — Change the camera lens viewing angle, which is made up of horizontal and vertical viewing angles. These are related by the Aspect ratio of the camera view.
  • Pan/Dolly
    • — Revolve the Camera and to move forward or backward along the z-axis of the camera view. This is useful for walking through a model, in particular when the movement is on a plane, as in walking around the floor of a building.
Active View

Sets the view to be used as the camera view.

Projection

Sets the projection to display in the camera view (see Camera View Projection).

Reference Point

Sets the point about which the camera manipulations are performed.

  • Eye
    • — Camera manipulations are performed relative to the camera eyepoint.
  • Target
    • — Camera manipulations are performed relative to the camera target point.
Continuous View Updates

If on, the camera view is updated continuously as the view cone is adjusted, either graphically, or via the input fields.

Display View Cone

If on, the view cone, for the camera view, displays in all other open views that display the same portion of the design.

More/Hide button

Turns on (More) or off (Hide) display of other settings that may be adjusted in the camera view.

Camera Position

Sets the location of the camera and target.

  • Eye Pt.
    • — X, Y, and Z coordinate values for the Eye Point, or camera position.
  • Target
    • — X, Y, and Z coordinate values for the Target of the camera.
Camera Orientation

Sets the camera and image plane orientation.

Camera — Defines the camera location.

Plane (One Point projection only) — Defines the image plane orientation.

  • Orient (Camera)
    • — Horizontal angle, measured from the positive (design file) X direction.
  • Elevate (Camera)
    • — Vertical angle, measured from the positive (design file) X direction.
  • Roll (Camera)
    • — Angle that camera is rotated, measured about the z-axis of the camera.
  • Orient (Plane)
    • — Horizontal angle, of the image plane's normal, measured from the positive (design file) X direction.
  • Elevate (Plane)
    • — Vertical angle, of the image plane's normal, measured from the positive (design file) X direction.
View Information

Sets the viewing angles and aspect ratio.

  • Horizontal (Angle)
    • — Horizontal view angle. Changing this value automatically adjusts the Vertical, relative to the view aspect ratio.
  • Vertical (Angle)
    • — Vertical view angle. Changing this value automatically adjusts the Horizontal, relative to the view aspect ratio.
  • Aspect (Angle)
    • — Displays the width/height ratio of the camera view.
  • Horizontal (Size)
    • — Displays horizontal dimension, in working units, of the camera view.
  • Vertical (Size)
    • — Displays vertical dimension, in working units, of the camera view.
Display Depths

Sets the clipping planes for the camera view.

  • Clip Factor
    • — Front — sets the front clipping plane at the percentage distance from the eye to target (normally between 0 and 1).

    Back — sets the back clipping plane to be a factor of the eye to target distance (normally greater than 1).

  • Clip Dist.
    • — Front — sets the distance from the eyepoint to the front clipping plane.

    Back — sets the distance from the eyepoint to the back clipping plane.

Controlled Movement

Sets incremental limits, Distance and Angle, for controlled movement of the camera, target, or view cone. The maximum Distance increment is one-half the distance from the eye to the target. The maximum Angle increment is 45°.

To display the view cone (in views other than the camera view)
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window, turn on Display View Cone.

  3. Enter a data point in the view to be the camera view.
    The camera view updates to display with the current Projection setting, and view cones appear in other views, showing the viewing parameters of the camera view.

    When Display View Cone is turned on, the viewing parameters of the camera view, in the form of a view cone, are displayed in all other open views.

      

    4. If you change the design cube Global Origin while the view cone is displayed, it is recommended that you select another tool (not a view control) and then reselect Define Camera before proceeding with camera manipulation.

To modify the eye point of a view cone, interactively
  1. With the Define Camera tool selected, identify the eye point handle with a data point.

  2. Move the handle to the new position.

  3. Enter a data point to fix the new position, or Reset to release the handle and return the view cone to its original position.
    If Continuous View Updates is turned on in the Define Camera settings window, you can monitor changes to the camera view as you manipulate the view cone.

    Repositioning the eye point: Identify eye point with a data point, then move eye point to new position and accept the new position.

      

    The model before modifying the view cone eye point handle.

      

    The model after modifying the view cone eye point handle.

      

    Moving the eye point, in this manner, leaves the target at its current location. Similarly, you can reposition the target, leaving the eye point at its current location.

    4. You can use the click and drag method also, to move the handles. That is, hold the data button down as you move the handle. Releasing the data button sets the view to the new position. With this method, Resetting does not return the view to its original position.

To locate the Eye Point or Target with precision inputs
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window, click the More button.
    The window expands to display additional settings.

  3. Click the Show Position button for Camera Position.
    Coordinate input fields appear for Eye Pt and Target.

  4. In the relevant fields, key in values to exactly locate the eye point, target, or both.
    The camera view updates with the new viewing parameters. In other views, the view cone updates to reflect the new values.

    Precision inputs can be used to exactly locate the Camera Position, via its Eye Pt. and Target.

      

To move the view cone
  1. With the Define Camera tool selected, in any view displaying the view cone, select the center handle with a data point.

  2. Move the view cone to its new location.

  3. Accept the new location.

    Identifying the center handle of the view cone allows you to move the view cone to a new location.

      

    The model before moving the view cone.

      

    The model after moving the view cone.

      

To change the camera view
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. From the Active View option menu in the Define Camera settings window, choose the required view (an arrow head indicates the camera view).

    Define Camera settings window

      

    The selected view updates with the current view projection parameters.

To change the view projection of the camera view
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. From the Projection options menu in the Define Camera settings window, choose the required projection.
    The camera view updates with the new projection.

    Selecting a new view Projection.

    An arrow head indicates the current view Projection.

      

To pan the camera relative to the target
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window with the Pan icon selected.

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action option menu, choose Pan.

  3. From the Reference Point option menu, choose Target.

  4. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and display View Cone.

  5. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  6. Move the pointer left/right or up/down to revolve the camera about the target, in the direction of the pointer (relative to the initial data point in the view).
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views (that are displaying the same part of the design).

  7. Accept the new view orientation.

    With Reference Point set to Target: Moving the screen pointer horizontally or vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the camera horizontally (Top view) or vertically (Front View), about the target.

      

    8. Similarly, you can revolve the target about the eye point by selecting Eye as the Reference Point.

    With Reference Point set to Eye: Moving the screen pointer horizontally or vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the Target horizontally (Top view) or vertically (Front View), about the Eye Point (camera).

      
To precisely Pan the camera
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Pan.

  3. In the Define Camera settings window, click the More button.
    The window expands to display additional settings.

  4. Click the Show Orientation button.
    The Camera Orientation input fields appear.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Pan icon selected.

      

  5. In the Orient and Elevate fields of the Camera input, key in the required values.
    The camera view updates to reflect the new values, as does the view cone graphics in other view.

    6. Any manipulation of the view cone automatically updates values in these fields.

    As well as interactive control of the view cone, you can specify a controlled movement. Here, you enter data points at the left/right or top/bottom of the camera view to revolve the camera or target by the specified value. For this setting (Pan), the relevant setting is Angle, in the Controlled Movement section of the Define Camera settings window.

To revolve the camera in 5° increments about the Target
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window, turn off Continuous View Updates.

  3. From the Reference Point options menu, choose Target.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Pan icon selected.

      

  6. In the Angle field, key in 5.

  7. In the camera view enter a data point in the top/bottom or left/right of the view.
    The camera is revolved 5° horizontally, or vertically, in the direction of the data point (from the center of the view).

  8. Further data points revolve the camera (Eye Point) in 5° increments about the target, either horizontally or vertically, in the direction indicated by the pointer.

    9. Similarly, by setting Reference Point to Eye, you can revolve the target about the camera (Eye Point) incrementally.

To pan the camera horizontally relative to the target
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window with the Pan Horizontal icon selected.

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan Horizontal icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Pan Horizontal.

  3. From the Reference Point option menu, choose Target.

  4. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  5. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  6. Move the pointer left or right to revolve the camera about the Target, in the same direction (relative to the initial data point).
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  7. Accept the new view orientation.

    With Reference Point set to Target: Moving the screen pointer horizontally, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the camera horizontally about the target (Top View).

      

    8. Similarly, you can revolve the target horizontally about the eye point by selecting Eye as the Reference Point.

    With Reference Point set to Eye:

    Moving the screen pointer horizontally, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the Target horizontally about the Eye Point, (Top View).

      

    Using the precision input fields in the More Settings section of the Define Camera settings window, you can enter an exact value for the Pan Horizontal setting. This works similarly to that for the Pan function, except that the Orient field only is relevant.

    You can restrict rotations to a preset amount. This works similarly to that for the Pan function, except that rotation is horizontal only.

To pan the camera vertically relative to the target
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window with the Pan Vertical icon selected.

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan Vertical icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Pan Vertical.

  3. From the Reference Point option menu, choose Target.

  4. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  5. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  6. Move the pointer up or down to revolve the camera in the same direction (relative to the initial data point).
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  7. Accept the new view orientation.

    With Reference Point set to Target: Moving the screen pointer vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the camera vertically about the target (Front View).

      

    8. Similarly, you can revolve the target about the eye point by selecting Eye as the Reference Point.

    With Reference Point set to Eye: Moving the screen pointer vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), revolves the Target vertically about the Eye Point (Front View).

      

    Using the precision input fields in the More Settings section of the Define Camera settings window, you can enter an exact value for the Elevate setting. This works similarly to that for the Pan function, except that the Elevate field only is relevant.

    You can restrict rotations to a preset amount. This works similarly to that for the Pan function except that rotation is vertical only.

To roll the camera
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Roll icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Roll.

  3. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  4. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  5. Move the pointer (relative to the initial data point) upward to roll the camera clockwise, or downward to roll the camera counter-clockwise.
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  6. Accept the new view orientation.

    The Roll setting allows you to rotate the camera about the z-axis of the camera view.

      

    Image after rolling the camera 30° counter-clockwise. This has the effect of rolling the model 30° clockwise.

      

    7. You can control the Roll angle of the camera with the Roll value in the Camera Orientation settings. When a value is entered in the Roll field, the view updates with the camera roll angle set to the new value.

    Any (roll) manipulation of the view cone automatically updates the roll value in this field.

    You can roll the camera in predefined steps using the Controlled Movement setting.

To roll the camera in 5° steps
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window, turn off Continuous View Updates.

  3. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  4. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

  5. In the Angle field, key in 5.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Roll icon selected.

      

  6. In the camera view enter a data point in the top or bottom of the view.
    The camera is rolled 5° either clockwise, or counter-clockwise, depending on the direction of the data point (up or down from the center of the view).

  7. Further data points rotate the camera in 5° increments about the z-axis of the camera view.

To dolly/elevate the camera
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Dolly/Elevate icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Dolly/Elevate.

  3. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  4. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  5. Move the pointer up/down or left/right to move the camera vertically or horizontally (in the direction of the pointer relative to the initial data point).
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  6. Accept the new view orientation.

    Moving the pointer horizontally or vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), moves the view cone horizontally (Top View) or vertically (Front View) relative to the camera view.

      

    7. Moving the whole view cone in this manner keeps the camera and target points in the same positions relative to each other. It makes no difference, whether Eye or Target is set as the Reference Point.

    As you move the camera in the camera view, the Eye Pt and Target fields adjust automatically to reflect their new positions. To control the movement of the camera you should use the Controlled Movement setting.

    You can move the camera in predefined steps using the Controlled Movement setting. For these movements, the Distance value of the Controlled Movement Increment fields controls movement.

To dolly/elevate the camera in 100 (unit) steps
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Dolly/Elevate icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Dolly/Elevate.

  3. Turn off Continuous View Updates.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Dolly/Elevate icon selected.

      

  6. In the Distance field, key in 100.

  7. In the camera view enter a data point in the top, bottom, left or right of the view.
    The camera is moved 100 units in the direction of the data point. This has the effect of moving the model in the opposite direction on the screen.

  8. Further data points move the camera in 100 unit increments.

To dolly the camera
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Dolly icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Dolly.

  3. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  4. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  5. Move the pointer:
    Up or down to move the camera in or out of the view (respectively).
    Left or right to pan the camera horizontally (in the direction of the pointer from the initial data point).
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  6. Accept the new view orientation.

    Moving the pointer horizontally in the camera view, moves the view cone sideways.

    Moving the pointer vertically, in the camera view (Window 2), moves the view cone in or out of the view.

      

    7. Moving the whole view cone in this manner keeps the camera and target points in the same positions relative to each other. It makes no difference, whether Eye or Target is set as the Reference Point.

    As you dolly the camera in the camera view, the Eye Pt and Target fields adjust automatically to reflect their new positions. To control the movement of the dolly setting you should use the Controlled Movement setting.

    You can dolly the camera in predefined steps using the Controlled Movement setting. For dollying operations, the Distance value of the Controlled Movement Increment fields controls movement.

To dolly the camera in 100 (unit) steps
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Dolly icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Dolly.

  3. Turn off Continuous View Updates.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Dolly icon selected.

      

  6. In the Distance field, key in 100.

  7. In the camera view enter a data point in the top, bottom, left or right of the view.
    The camera is dollied 100 units in the direction determined by the location of the data point (in or out of the view, or sideways).

  8. Further data points dolly the camera in 100 unit increments.

To change the lens focal length of the camera view
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Lens Focal Length icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Lens Focal Length.

  3. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  4. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  5. Move the pointer:
    Up to reduce the focal length.
    Down to increase focal length.
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  6. Accept the new view orientation.

    With Reference Point set to Target, the camera moves, while the target remains fixed.

      

    With Reference Point set to Eye, the target moves, while the camera remains fixed.

      

    7. You can move the camera closer to or away from the (fixed) target, or vice-versa. This can be done interactively, or with Controlled Movement. Whether the camera or the target moves is controlled by the setting for Reference Point. When it is set to:

    • Eye — The target moves relative to a fixed camera.

    • Target — The camera moves relative to a fixed target.

    As you change the lens focal length in the camera view, either the Eye Pt or Target fields adjust automatically to reflect their new positions. That is, the one that is not selected as the (fixed) Reference Point.

    As well, the View Angle fields change.

    To simply control the movement for focal length setting you should use the Controlled Movement setting. You can change the focal length in predefined steps. To do this, you use the Distance value of the Controlled Movement Increment fields.

To change the lens focal length by varying the eye to target distance in 100 (unit) steps
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Lens Focal Length icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Lens Focal Length.

  3. Turn off Continuous View Updates.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Lens Focal Length icon selected.

      

  6. In the Distance field, key in 100.

  7. In the camera view enter a data point in the top or bottom of the view.
    The distance between the Eye Point (camera) and Target is increased, or reduced, by 100 units. If the data point is in the top half of the view, it is reduced, and vice-versa.

  8. Further data points change the distance in 100 unit increments.

To change the lens view angle of the camera view
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window with the Lens View Angle icon selected.

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Lens View Angle icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Lens View Angle.

  3. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  4. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  5. Move the pointer:
    Up to increase the view angle.
    Down to decrease the view angle.
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  6. Accept the new view orientation.

    7. You can control the view angle with precision inputs. In the View Information section, of the Define Camera settings window, are input fields for Horizontal and Vertical view angles. These are related by the Aspect setting. When you key in a value for one, the value in the other changes accordingly.

    Moving the pointer upward increases the lens view angle. The horizontal and vertical angles are adjusted according to the Aspect ratio of the camera view.

      

    When adjusting the lens view angle interactively, you can use the Controlled Movement setting to restrict the changes to a defined amount.

To change the lens view angle in 10° steps
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Lens View Angle icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Lens View Angle.

  3. Turn off Continuous View Updates.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Click the Show Controlled Movement button.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Lens View Angle icon selected.

      

  6. In the Angle field, key in 10.

  7. In the camera view enter a data point in the top or bottom of the view.
    The lens view angle is increased by 10° if the data point is in the top half of the view and vice-versa.

  8. Further data points change the focal length in 10° increments.

To pan/dolly the camera
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

    Define Camera settings window with the Pan/Dolly icon selected.

      

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan/Dolly icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Pan/Dolly.

  3. From the Reference Point option menu, choose Eye.

  4. Turn on Continuous View Updates, and Display View Cone.

  5. With the pointer in the camera view, enter a data point.

  6. Move the pointer:
    Up to move forward.Down to move back.
    Left to look left.
    Right to look right.
    As the pointer moves, the camera view updates dynamically, as does the view cone in other open views.

  7. Accept the new view orientation.

    Using the Pan/Dolly setting to “walk through” a model. Pointer movement up or down moves the camera forward or back. Pointer movement left or right, turns the camera (Shown with Reference Point set to Eye.)

      

    8. How the camera revolves is determined by the Reference Point setting. A natural method is to have Reference Point set to Eye, which causes the camera to revolve about the eye point when you move the pointer left or right. This lets you, in effect, turn your head (that is, the camera) by moving the pointer in the direction that you wish to look. When Reference is set to Target, the camera revolves around the target when you move the pointer left or right in the camera view.

    As the camera is moved, the settings for the Camera Position update, as does the Orient Angle value in the Camera Orientation section. To simply control the movement of the camera, you should use the Controlled Movement setting.

    You can control the distance that the camera moves forward or backward, and the angle that the camera turns left or right.

To pan/dolly the camera in steps of 10 units distance or 5° rotation
  1. Select the Define Camera tool.

  2. In the Define Camera settings window's icon bar, click the Pan/Dolly icon.
    or
    From the Camera Action options menu, choose Pan/Dolly.

  3. Turn off Continuous View Updates.

  4. If necessary, click the More button to reveal the settings options.

  5. Turn on Controlled Movement.
    The Controlled Movement settings appear, with fields for Increments in Distance and Angle.

    Expanded Define Camera settings window with the Pan/Dolly icon selected.

      

  6. In the Distance field, key in 10.

  7. In the Angle field, key in 5.

  8. In the camera view enter a data point in the top, bottom, left or right of the view.
    The camera is dollied 10 units, or revolved 5° depending on the position of the data point.

  9. Further data points pan or dolly the camera in 5°, or 10 unit increments respectively.

Key-in: CAMERA DEFINE

For information on the projections supported, see “Camera view projection”.