Camera Controls !!!

[Yinka Gbotosho]

Having used Ar3, Ar4 and NXT consistently for production drawings in the last one year, I have come to the conclusion that NXT lacks precise camera controls especially for exteriors. I particularly like the controls in Ar4. Also, Ar3 does a good work of it. However, NXT has a better rendering engine. I often find myself running to Ar4 to contol and save camera views before coming on to render in NXT. Am I missing something or is it yet to come?

[Roy Hirshkowitz]

We don't provide a camera utility as such-- nor is any planned. The AutoCAD camera utility works nicely. There is a WalkAbout utility which allows you to save views as well. What is it specifically that you're having trouble with?

[Yinka Gbotosho]

For some reason, I find it more convinient to orbit around my model for a satisfactory view with the ar4 controls. I need to be able to pick a specific camera location and a target. After this, I need to be able to fine tune the position by coordinates that I can input to adjust height of camera, moving a bit to the right or left to avoid or include ojects in the scene, etc.

[Roy Hirshkowitz]

The AutoCAD camera utility lets you pick a location and target. You can load that view into WalkAbout and use the arrow keyboard keys to fine tune it. There is control over the increment as well.

[Yinka Gbotosho]

Okay, I will try that. I was however more comfortable with doing everything within the walkabout window in ar. Thanks Roy. I will get back on that.

[Roy Hirshkowitz]

Let me know-- I'd love to see some of your work when you get a chance.

[akinlolu olugboji]

My own way around this is to set a camera view(location, height, focal lenght etc) with AutoCAd, then use the orbit and walk tools to fine tune. Load this into walkabout in Nxt(apart from the change in AutoCad viewport size and that of nxt) this leaves very little adjusting in Nxt walkabout.

[Alejandro Testa]

I use the old dview from the command line

[Eric B]

I will again add my voice to this long running discussion (from the older AR5 forum).
Simply put, I agree with Yinka. The controls of the vantage point in AR5 are not very easy to use. The last time that AutoCAD and Accurender worked well together for me was under 2006 AutoCAD and AR3. After 2007 or AR4 there was something always wrong with setting up consistent and real world viewing locations.
I specifically do not use AutoCAD cameras. I never have. I found DVIEW to work very well. I especially hate the mouse controls that allow for real-time movement. It has taken me many months of retraining myself to deal with the odd actions of AR5 when it comes to vantage point control. Also, the mouse controls do feel backward to me as others have mentioned. If you move the mouse right and are changing the camera it actually appears to shift the target left, which is relatively correct, but backwards in terms of what you are controlling.
That is why I use control lines and set up DVIEW view names in AutoCAD by clicking on actual points (endpoints) in space for both camera and target. Then because DVIEW views do not appear in AR5 view pane I force AR5 to acquire the DVIEW named view and then save it in AR5 under the same name. Because the AutoCAD perspective view after 2007 no longer matches the render view in AR5 in terms of ZOOM I still need to adjust the field of view to approximate the same in AR5. Yes, a lot of work, but it makes it consistent.

[Alejandro Testa]

I do the same, but I miss ar3 cameras

[Yinka Gbotosho]

That is exactly what I am saying. We have had better times in the past with cameras. I wish Roy could somehow revisit the camera issue by looking back at ar3 and ar4. I think ar3 had best camera and then ar4. NXT however has an amazing rendering engine. Well done Roy.

[Eric B]

Alejandro, Yinka and Eric - three AR users missing the good old days. Well, at least as far as camera & view controls go.

[Yinka Gbotosho]

I am still not comfortable with this camera issue. For instance, I am unable to repeat this camera view which I achieved with ar4 (find attached). Also, what about light fixtures and render ready cars, etc.