jdFlowCam

jdFlowCam is a procedural tool for smoothly moving a camera between points and easily adjusting the timings of these points, whilst keeping a smooth path between them.

jdFlowCam, Viewport.

CamPoints are used by jdFlowCam to define the positions that the camera should pass through.

The user defines multiple CamPoints for jdFlowCam to smoothly move the camera between.

The CamPoints are distributed evenly along the timeline by a weight system (CamPoints with more weight will take up more time).

Object tab

jdFlowCam, Object tab menu settings.

Auto Time

Allows you to choose whether to automatically discern the start and end time from the project timeline.

When disabled, you can enter the times manually in the Start Time and End Time parameters, accessed via the drop-down arrow.

Start Time, End Time

Specifies a start and end time for the motion.

Mode

Set to Connect Points, by default, which uses the CamPoints to define the camera’s motion.

The alternative setting is Path, which uses a preset spline for the camera’s motion.

When Path is selected, a Path tab becomes available, with options to define how the camera uses the path (described below).

jdFlowCam, Mode menu settings.

Main Camera

Drop a camera into this field to be the camera that jdFlowCam will move.

Add Camera

Creates a new Camera object and adds it to the link box above.

Add CamPoint

Creates a new CamPoint at the camera’s current position and adds it to the list.

CamPoints

Here, the CamPoints in the list can be seen and selected to change their values.

The green check mark next to each CamPoint can be disabled to remove it from the Track interface.

jdFlowCam, CamPoints list and Object Manager objects.

Track

The Track interface lets the user slide CamPoints back and forth along the timeline by adjusting the weights of the surrounding CamPoints.

Pink lines – unselected CamPoints White line – current frame marker Green line – selected CamPoint Blue shaded area – Hold Time around a CamPoint.

jdFlowCam, Track Display.

Main tab

The main settings that affect the overall behavior of the camera.

Up Vector

Sets the up vector used in spline normal calculations (this can usually be left alone).

The default setting is Y+ (World), with the usual additional options of: Y- (World), Y+ (Local), Y- (Local) and Custom.

Easing

Manipulate this spline curve to set how the camera’s speed will change throughout the whole path.

Loop Mode

Loop Mode options for what happens at the end of the path: Stop, Loop, Ping-Pong and Continue.

jdGeoFlow Loop Modes.

Cycles

Sets how many times the selected mode will run.

CamPoint tab

The settings in this tab can be changed to alter the currently selected CamPoint.

CamPoint tab settings.

Show Cone

Enable to show the focus cone attached to this CamPoint.

Focal Length

Sets the camera’s focal length when it reaches this CamPoint.

Focus Distance

Sets the camera’s focus distance when it reaches this CamPoint.

Weight

Sets how much weight the selected CamPoint should have.

More weight will give that particular CamPoint more time on the track and other CamPoints will be re-timed to accommodate.

Tension

Sets how sharply the camera’s path will bend around this point.

100% means the camera will take a very sharp corner at the given point.

Slide

A second way to adjust the Camera’s position on the track, within the CamPoint, without changing any weights.

Ease

Sets how the camera’s speed will change as it nears the CamPoint.

At 0 (zero), the camera will not change speed as it passes through.

At 100%, the camera will slow down as it reaches the CamPoint, then speed up again afterwards.

Hold Time

Sets how long the camera should pause at the given CamPoint.

Spring

Sets how much ‘springiness’ (a spring motion) the camera should have as it reaches this CamPoint.

Damping

Increase this to reduce the number of oscillations after springing.

Motion tab

Motion tab settings.

Enable Motion

Enables a sine-based motion throughout the camera’s path.

Position

Amplitude

The maximum distance at which the camera should oscillate around its ideal position.

Frequency

The frequency of the sine wave (Hz).

Rotation

Amplitude

The maximum angles at which the camera should oscillate around its ideal rotation.

Frequency

The frequency of the sine wave (Hz).

Banking tab

Auto Banking

Enable auto banking.

This will roll the camera left or right based on its horizontal rotation speed.

Min, Max

The angle limits for the banking roll.

Sensitivity

Sets how much the camera’s horizontal rotation speed will affect the roll angle.

Easing

Defines how much the angle changes as speed increases.

Path tab

Changing the Mode setting from Connect Points to Path, will open up a Path tab, which has the following parameter options.

jdFlowCam, Path Mode menu settings.

Shape

Set as Circle, select a preset shape for the camera’s path.

The alternative options are: Arc, Line, Helix and Custom.

Each offers slightly different parameters, to fine tune the path.

With the Custom setting, any spline can be dropped into the Object field, which will open up under the Shape parameter.

The camera path will now be the custom spline selected.

jdFlowCam, Path types.

Camera Align

Set the camera axis that should follow the path spline.

The options are X, Y and Z but, as a default, none are selected and a user-defined orientation can be set with the Position and Rotation parameters.

Position

Sets the position of the path spline.

Rotation

Sets the rotation of the path spline.

Radius, Length, Start Radius, End Radius, Radial Bias, Height, Turns

These are the options for defining the path spline.

These vary depending on the spline Shape type, matching the options provided when a Spline primitive of the same type is created.

Display tab

jdFlowCam, Display tab menu settings.

Display Path

When enabled, this displays the path of the camera.

Path Color

Sets the color of the pathway.

CamPoint Color

Sets the color of the CamPoints.

Camera Color

The camera color can be altered with this setting.

Export Spline

Clicking this button allows you to export the spline used for the pathway, for future use.

Safe Zones

The Ratio Fit button is enabled, by default, but you can change this by clicking on the Absolute Size button.

You can select your safe zone setting by enabling one of the check boxes.

In addition, you can alter the colors for each option and change the Aspect, should this be necessary.

jdFlowCam, Safe Zones menu settings.

jdFlowCam Tag

This gives additional controls over the targeting system for your camera set-up.

Animation showing the target tag using 3 targets.

jdFlowCam Tag Properties.

Add Target

Here, a target can be added by simply clicking Add Target.

Alternatively, you can drop any object into this field to use as a target.

Time

The visual display of the jdFlowCam target settings.

Hold Time

The time that the cam will hold on the target.

Position

Alters the position of the target.

Blend

The easing Blend as the camera transitions between targets.