Difference between revisions of "Camera Control"

Revision as of 12:26, 21 December 2007

Feature Documentation: Camera Controls

Document to describe and explain the Camera Control feature and expected behavior.

The Camera

Think of the camera as an actual object. It has some volume as it moves through space that is preserved. This is why when zooming in on land, the camera occasionally pushes up. The "camera" is essentially hitting the ground and being deflected.

Alt + Left mouse click is commonly referred to as "alt-zoom"

Camera Behavior

Alt + Left mouse click centers the camera to the cursor (unless pointing to the sky)

What part of the object is the camera focused on?

--At distance, to a point behind your cursor in the center of the object

Why?

So that when the camera rotates around the object, it spins the camera in a more natural way, instead of "tumbling" it.

--If sufficiently close to an object, the camera will change to focus on the surface of said object.

Why?

For ease of focusing on and/ or editing specific parts of an object.

Why can't I zoom in on the sky"

The sky has no focal point.

All if this is based on where the camera initially points (Alt + Left mouse click ) unless you Alt + Left mouse click again to change

Camera & Objects

At a tenth of a meter the camera ceases advancement towards an object as to not cut into it. From there, further zooming instead decreases the field of vision and zooms. It stops when the FOV limit is hit (this is arbitrary - when no more detail is to be gained).

Alpha Textures. If you can see an item beyond another (view and item through an alpha textured object) you can alt-zoom to the object beyond. The camera "sees through" the alpha texture and allows clicking beyond itself.

Camera & Avatar

Avatar / camera distances are designed to be user friendly for the average user, and to not clip avatars and confuse the user.

When objects are attached to an avatar, they act as part of the avatar and adopt the behavior of the avatar rather than the "normal" behavior for an object.

Why is the camera constrained to the avatar?

Your avatar needs to be "seen" in the same set of simulators as your camera (the sim you are in or adjacent to)

From a user standpoint, the view is more realistic having the camera stop short of the end of it's viewable path. This way there is still a horizon (data past the camera) and not just a blank screen.

Voyeurism. With a limited field of vision, it is easier as a user to look at the map and distinguish who may or may not be able to view you and your activities.

Latching. "Alt-zoom" on a moving object pulls the camera with it so you do not have to struggle to keep up with something you wish to view that happens to be moving. Latching only tracks an object. Rotating on a latched object is not a functionality as it would be unpleasant to the viewer.

Camera Tools

alt-zoom mousewheel can be used to zoom into objects.

Build menu Focus tool has a zoom slider

View> Camera Controls provides an on screen clickable camera interface.

Control + 8 = Increase FOV (fisheye)

Control + 9 = Reset camera

Control + 0 = Telephoto

Click on avatar and mouse around will look around and show your avatar looking around. (If flying this only steers the avatar)

Camera resets when avatar moves. The assumption is that you want to see / know where you are going.

Control-alt-arrow keys rotate up down and around an object

Alt-arrow keys pan right, left and zoom in and out

While Avatar is sitting = Alt+Page up / Page Down will pan, arrow keys to look around.

Mouselook= Camera will take orientation of the avatar. This feature helps make vehicles more compelling.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{OSWikiFeatureNav}}
-=== Feature Design Document ===
+== Feature Documentation: Camera Controls ==
-(none)
+Document to describe and explain the Camera Control feature and expected behavior.
-=== Functional Spec ===
+=== The Camera ===
-* document camera actions when:
-** dragging on your avatar, nametag or attachments while walking or flying
-** dragging on your avatar, nametag or attachments while sitting.
-** mouse wheel camera distance.
-** Ctrl-8, 9, 0 camera FOV (Field of View)
-** alt-arrows, page up, page down
-** ctrl-alt-arrows, page up, page down
-** ctrl-alt-shift-arrows
-** ctrl-1 camera zoom, orbit, pan
-** mouselook view + mouse
-** arrows or WASD while sitting
-** arrows or WASD while sitting on object using llSetCameraEyeOffset and llSetCameraAtOffset.
-** arrows or WASD while sitting and Follow Cam (llSetCameraParams).
-** region crossing in vehicle that controls your camera (arrows or WASD continues to drive vehicle and not camera)
-** View > Camera Controls widget
-** H focuses on selected object.
-** Shift-H zooms to selection.
-** ctrl-\ focuses camera on last person or item that chatted.
-=== Test scripts ===
+Think of the camera as an actual object.  It has some volume as it moves through space that is preserved.  This is why when zooming in on land, the camera occasionally pushes up.  The "camera" is essentially hitting the ground and being deflected.
-(none)
-=== Discussion for future improvements ===
-The best thing about the SL Camera Controls is that each avatar has a generously deep and wide field of vision. The most frustrating thing about this agile camera is that there is no option for the camera to be bound by elements in space. Physical prims will restrict camera movement, but most objects in SL, and certainly the most interesting architecture, are made from non physical objects. the irony being that the objects one would most like to inspect are the most difficult to. personal spaces, therefore, must be enormous otherwise the camera just falls out of your house. my suggestion is in two parts: first, offer a prim option to restrict camera boundaries, and second, an opt in with keyboard shortcut to be bound by the boundary restricting prims. my feeling is that rather than reaching outward for more space and freedom of movement, spaces will get tighter and be used more conscientiously.
-=== Relationship to other features ===
+Alt + Left mouse click is commonly referred to as "alt-zoom"
-<b> List of features that need to be tested when this feature changes, and why. </b>
-(none)
+=== Camera Behavior ===
-=== User Guides ===
+Alt + Left mouse click centers the camera to the cursor (unless pointing to the sky)
-(none)
+'''What part of the object is the camera focused on?'''
+--At distance, to a point behind your cursor in the center of the object
+'''Why?'''
+So that when the camera rotates around the object, it spins the camera in a more natural way, instead of "tumbling" it.
+--If sufficiently close to an object, the camera will change to focus on the surface of said object.
+'''Why?'''
+For ease of focusing on and/ or editing specific parts of an object.
+'''Why can't I zoom in on the sky"'''
+The sky has no focal point.
+*''All if this is based on where the camera initially points (Alt + Left mouse click ) unless you Alt + Left mouse click  again to change''
+=== Camera & Objects ===
+At a tenth of a meter the camera ceases advancement towards an object as to not cut into it.  From there, further zooming instead decreases the field of vision and zooms.  It stops when the FOV limit is hit (this is arbitrary - when no more detail is to be gained).
+Alpha Textures.  If you can see an item beyond another (view and item through an alpha textured object) you can alt-zoom to the object beyond.  The camera "sees through" the alpha texture and allows clicking beyond itself.
+=== Camera & Avatar ===
+Avatar / camera distances are designed to be user friendly for the average user, and to not clip avatars and confuse the user.
+When objects are attached to an avatar, they act as part of the avatar and adopt the behavior of the avatar rather than the "normal" behavior for an object.
+'''Why is the camera constrained to the avatar?'''
+Your avatar needs to be "seen" in the same set of simulators as your camera (the sim you are in or adjacent to)
+From a user standpoint, the view is more realistic having the camera stop short of the end of it's viewable path.  This way there is still a horizon (data past the camera) and not just a blank screen.
+Voyeurism. With a limited field of vision, it is easier as a user to look at the map and distinguish who may or may not be able to view you and your activities.
+Latching. "Alt-zoom" on a moving object pulls the camera with it so you do not have to struggle to keep up with something you wish to view that happens to be moving.  Latching only tracks an object.  Rotating on a latched object is not a functionality as it would be unpleasant to the viewer.
+=== Camera Tools ===
+alt-zoom mousewheel can be used to zoom into objects.
+Build menu Focus tool has a zoom slider
+View> Camera Controls provides an on screen clickable camera interface.
+Control + 8 = Increase FOV (fisheye)
+Control + 9 = Reset camera
+Control + 0 = Telephoto
+Click on avatar and mouse around will look around and show your avatar looking around.
+(If flying this only steers the avatar)
+Camera resets when avatar moves.  The assumption is that you want to see / know where you are going.
+Control-alt-arrow keys rotate up down and around an object
+Alt-arrow keys pan right, left and zoom in and out
+While Avatar is sitting = Alt+Page up / Page Down will pan, arrow keys to look around.
+Mouselook= Camera will take orientation of the avatar.  This feature helps make vehicles more compelling.