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Camera Motion Controls

This section discusses the individual camera motion functions selectable from the toolbar.

Orbit Camera

Orbit Camera rotates the camera about the z-axis (by default). You can select x-, y-, z-, or free-axis rotation using the Principal Axis Selectors. When using no principal axis, you can rotate about an arbitrary axis.

Graphics Properties.   Orbit Camera changes the CameraPosition property while keeping the CameraTarget fixed.

Orbit Scene Light

The scene light is a light source that is placed with respect to the camera position. By default, the scene light is positioned to the right of the camera (i.e., camlight right). Orbit Scene Light changes the light's offset from the camera position. There is only one scene light; however, you can add other lights using the light command.

Toggle the scene light on and off by clicking the yellow light bulb icon.

Graphics Properties

Orbit Scene Light moves the scene light by changing the light's Position property.

Pan/Tilt Camera

Pan/Tilt Camera moves the point in the scene that the camera points to while keeping the camera fixed. The movement occurs in an arc about the z-axis by default. You can select x-, y-, z-, or free-axis rotation using the Principal Axes Selectors.

Graphics Properties.   Pan/Tilt Camera moves the point in the scene that the camera is pointing to by changing the CameraTarget property.

Move Camera Horizontally/Vertically

Moving the cursor horizontally or vertically (or any combination of the two) moves the scene in the same direction.

Graphics Properties.   The horizontal and vertical movement is achieved by moving the CameraPosition and the CameraTarget in unison along parallel lines.

Move Camera Forward and Backward

Moving the cursor up or to the right moves the camera toward the scene. Moving the cursor down or to the left moves the camera away from the scene. It is possible to move the camera through objects in the scene and to the other side of the camera target.

Graphics Properties.   This function moves the CameraPosition along the line connecting the camera position and the camera target.

Zoom Camera

Zoom Camera makes the scene larger as you move the cursor up or to the right and smaller as you move the cursor down or to the left. Zooming does not move the camera and therefore cannot move the viewpoint through objects in the scene.

Graphics Properties.   Zoom is implemented by changing the CameraViewAngle. The larger the angle, the smaller the scene appears, and vice versa.

Camera Roll

Camera Roll rotates the camera about the viewing axis, thereby rotating the view on the screen.

Graphics Properties.   Camera Roll changes the CameraUpVector.


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