IC Python API:Smooth Camera Follow
- Main article: Python of the Month.
Demo Video
Description
This script lets the user pick a camera/view and a prop/target to follow. The camera will always be facing the direction of the target prop with delay as an adjustable factor. The Offset values creates a distance between the view and the target. Use the Delay value to create a lag between the view and the target.
As the target prop starts to move, the camera will begin to follow with a specified delay. However, the camera's facing direction will always be locked onto the prop's pivot point no matter how fast the prop is moving.
Course Prerequisites
You should be familiarize yourself with the following fundamental articles before you proceed:
Takeaway Lessons
- Learn to drive the motion of the camera according to the animation of a prop.
- Populate drop down menus/combo boxes with elements from the scene.
Required Files
- iClone scene with camera and animated prop
- Smooth Camera Follow Python script
- Extensions Python script
You can download this plugin from the Reallusion Marketplace. To acquire and view the source code, please visit Reallusion GitHub.
Usage Instructions
- Clone or download the Reallusion/iClone GitHub.
- Copy SmoothCameraFollow folder into the iClone install directory > ...\Bin64\OpenPlugin.
- Load the script into the project from the menu: Plugins > Python Samples > Smooth Camera Follow.
- Follow the instructions in the subsequent dialog window.
Code Flow
Given a target prop and a target camera, the script will also require the inputs for the camera movement delay and offset position from the target prop. The code creates a new movement animation for the camera transformations by applying keys in the timeline. The final result is a camera that smoothly follows the target prop at the designated offset position with a certain degree of lag time decided by the user.
APIs Used
You can research the following references for the modules deployed in this code.
