how do you make a camera follow a path?

[3DMadness]

You should create a target camera instead of a free camera. Then position the target in the center of the circle and assign a path controller to the camera and select the circle as the path.
Hope it help! :)

Flávio

[GlasS-]

yes, it helped a bit. But when i change the 'percent'-spinner, the camera bobs up and down. I want a smooth motion, you know what the problem is?

[tazmanian]

ya.....he is right .... i got the Problem also .....
if i Pick the path ........ the camera was not rotating with that path .....it is playing with another path ......

what is the best way ..??????
is anybody clear me ......

[sting]

1. Assign a path controller as explained by 3DMadness and then use the link tool to make the "camera" the parent of the targert.

2. This can also be done by linking the target of the camera to a dummy object and then key framming the dummy object as required while the camera moves in the path assigned by the path controller...

3. A dummy object linked to the camrea target can be assigned a path controller, which can then be used to control the mothion of the target...

Hope these tips will help.......:)

[Marcel]

The path controller as described before is ofter the better solution (much more control than simple splines), using simple splines is faster to set up.

But here's the answer to your spline problems:

The camera is actually following the path you use, but the starting point is probably different from what you expected. Go to the spline you use as a path and go to the vertex level. Now one of the vertices is different from the others because it has a little box around it. That's the first vertex of the spline, and that's going to be the place where the camera is put on the first frame.

So the solution is to put the path where you want it (look in all viewports) and place the camera on the path where you want it to start.
Then open the path spline, and refine (add another vertex) it at the place where the camera is (skip this step if the camera is already at a vertex)
Then select that vertex and press 'Make First' (a little square should appear around the vertex).

Now go to the animation Tab, trajectories, and use convert from spline. (And observe that you can also see the path the camera makes when you are in the trajectories tab)

That's should do it!

Marcel

[GlasS-]

Hmm, is path controller the same as path deform?
If it isnt, i cant find it :)

[3DMadness]

Ok, look:
1 - I have a target camera and a circle:
http://www.3dmadness.hpg.com.br/tut_mala/tut_path01.jpg
2 - Align the target in the circle's center using the align tool:
http://www.3dmadness.hpg.com.br/tut_mala/tut_path02.jpg
3 - Assign a path controller to the camera. Note: you mixed things up between controller and modifier. Controller you assign in the motion panel, there's a rollout menu called "assign controller". Then in the Position you click in the button Assign controller and choose Path Constraint:
http://www.3dmadness.hpg.com.br/tut_mala/tut_path03.jpg
Then check if the look at constraint is pointing to camera's target and Path Parameters you click Add Path and pick the Circle.
http://www.3dmadness.hpg.com.br/tut_mala/tut_path04.jpg
Your camera you be in the circle and it will put two keys in frame 0 and 100 to 0% and 100% of the path. Press play button and you will see it going around the circle. Now it's up to you to set the keys the way you want. :thumbsup:
Cheers!

Flávio

[GlasS-]

Hey man, thanks a lot, i understand it now.. Im such a n00b :(

[3DMadness]

No problem, man! We're all here to learn. :)
Cheers! :beer:

Flávio

[Antilles]

He, 3DMadness, whats up with the weird icons on your pictures? Im using 4.0 (i think), and all the icons look different. Did you change them or are they different because its a different version?

[Marcel]

Aahhh, the 'discreet dark' ui interface, a real blessing!

Customize --> load custom ui scheme --> discreet-dark.cui

Marcel

[3DMadness]

Marcel's right, that's the discreet dark ui interface. :)

I love this dark interface!! :thumbsup:

Cheers! :beer:

3D Madness

[tazmanian]

hey thanx man ...... its very very Clear and worth ....... than a lot
i waiting for ur another interesting Tutorial from U man ...!!!!!

:beer:

[Antilles]

whoa i have the dark interface too but the icons are different!

[Antilles]

here....

[tazmanian]

ok..... i tried above Tutorial........ its working ..

this is my problem .....

i draw a splin, not like Circle , its path is different from others...

i want to animate a camera it is follow with the path........

1, what type of camera i need to use ?
2, How can i animate it in orient path ...?

[3DMadness]

Antilles: yes, they look different... check if in customiza/preferences/general you have "Use Large Toolbar Buttons" checked. What resolution do you work there? Here is 1280x960x32-bit. Also, are you using MAX 4.2 ?

nimal: if I understand what you want, I would use a Free Camera and forget about the target. Just make your camera follow the path checking the "Follow" as in the image attached.
Also, you can create another path for your target. Another options it to create a Dummy and use the Path controller on it and link your Free Camera on it. Then you will be free to move your camera as it moves along the path.
Cheers!

Flávio

[ilasolomon]

i suggest you to: link a target camera (both camera & target) to a dummy then assign a pathdeform mod or path constrait motion to the dummy.
why it's good?...cause:
1. you have a target camera that acts like a free camera.
2. you can animate the camera separately & freely.
3. your camera always follows the dummy & dummy always follows the path.
always, in animation, use dummies...more dummies = more
control over everything in max!!! :)

[3DMadness]

I second that! Dummies means more control in animation! :thumbsup:
Cheers! :beer:

3D Madness

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