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Autodesk Software Forum · Autodesk 3D Studio

#constant camera dist

12 messages in this thread

#46914From: Mitchell WaiteJun 20, 1993 11:25 PM

Is there any way to get the camera target to stay a constant distance from the camera as you move forward in the keyframer?

#46924From: John TissavaryJun 21, 1993 1:45 AM

Try creating a dummy (Hierarchy), and linking both camera and target to this dummy. Set the camera as you would normaly, but move the dummy in the keyframes, instead of the camera and target seperately. You could also link the camera and target to the object you are 'shooting', but I find that gets confusing, and the camera will follow ALL positions, rotations, etc, of the parent object. Good luck… ^.^ jt

#47204From: Mitchell WaiteJun 22, 1993 11:30 PM

The dummy approach worked perfectly. Thanks! Having two paths, one for the camera and one for the camera target seems a bit weird, but I am getting used to it and it does make sense. My tunnel is starting to look really realistic. Now I got to find out where to get some more bump maps then BUMPYWHITE STONE, but unfortunately I don't know where the bump map store is, e.g. is there some place one can go to find lots of sample materials? I seem to recall seeing some on the Explorer CD but not sure. Mitch

#47221From: John TissavaryJun 23, 1993 2:29 AM

The World Toolkit CD-ROM that comes with 3D Studio has a lot of bump maps on it. You can make your own, too. All you have to do is scan (or otherwise acquire) an image, preferably TGA format, and use it as a bump map. I always convert the image to grey scale for the bump map, because I have more controll over the "depth" of the bumps. Then you use the original TGA map as a texture map, and the greyscale image as the bump map. Have fun… ^.^ jt

#47411From: Mitchell WaiteJun 24, 1993 11:11 AM

Gosh I had no idea it was so simple! Thanks much…I'll check the World Toolkit CD ROM (I think mine had a crack in it which made parts unattainable). And I will make my own…I didn't know it was so easy.

#47234From: Jun 23, 1993 8:32 AM

Mitch: Remember, _any_image_ can be a bump map! Even a flic for an animated bump effect! Look on the CD that came with 3DS, or paint or render your own. Greg Pyros

#47412From: Mitchell WaiteJun 24, 1993 11:11 AM

A flic can be a bump map…whoa that is too heavy to comprehend.

#47238From: David RhotenJun 23, 1993 9:18 AM

>>but unfortunately I don't know where the bump map store is Modern Medium has a new CD-ROM of texture and bump maps for 3DS and RenderStar24x. They have a text file and some sample GIFs in the librarys here. Also, ImageTects, who provided some of the things on the World Tool-Kit have a CD-ROM of their IMAGECELs (texture maps only, in various formats and color depths). They can be reached at 408-252-5487. They can send you a catalog. Dave

#47413From: Mitchell WaiteJun 24, 1993 11:11 AM

Wow thanks for the tip on Modern Medium and ImageTects.

#46939From: Ralph F. FrantzJun 21, 1993 9:22 AM

Mitchell, If the camera path is simple you can hold down the Ctrl key as you move the Camera (the Target will move with it). Otherwise you will have to create a dummy object and attach the Camera and Target to it. -Ralph Frantz

#47205From: Mitchell WaiteJun 22, 1993 11:30 PM

Wow its that simple! Thanks for Ctrl Move Camera. That works nice for a straight line.

#47246From: Ralph F. FrantzJun 23, 1993 9:47 AM

>> Wow its that simple! Thanks for Ctrl Move Camera. Glad to be of help. Sometimes those simple things get overlooked. -Ralph Frantz