Noob alert! I don't really understand how to use camera focus

FetitoFetito Posts: 481
edited December 1969 in Daz Studio Discussion

Noob alert! I don't really understand how to use camera focus when I use animations. Do I have to keyframe it all the time?

Comments

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,260
    edited December 2013

    If you mean depth of field, then yes if you want the focal point to change (or if the item you want to be in focus changes its distance from the camera). If you have the camera selected and view the sceen through the Perspective View, or another camera, then there will be a sphere icon controlling the focal point and a cube that controls the width of the in-focus area, or you can use the Focal Distance and F-Stop sliders in the parameters.

    Post edited by Richard Haseltine on
  • FetitoFetito Posts: 481
    edited December 1969

    @Richard: Thank you! Is there a way to make an object always be in focus as in that the camera follows the figure?

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,260
    edited December 1969

    Try pointing the camera at the item, assuming that isn't a problem in other respects.

  • TjebTjeb Posts: 507
    edited December 1969

    By now you will probably have noticed that camera pointing to, let's say Vickies head, is not the way to go.
    Try this: create a small sphere, position and parent the sphere close to your figure, let the camera Point At the sphere.
    Set sphere on not Visible in Render and not Cast Shadows.

  • FetitoFetito Posts: 481
    edited December 1969

    @tjeb: You rule!

    So I parent the sphere to the V4 head and I make the camera "point at" the sphere. Is that correct?

  • JaderailJaderail Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    If you parent to the Figure or Point At your Camera will do all the UP Down movement the figure does as it walks. Just position the TARGET (Sphere) the best you can and have it TRAVEL at the same speed as the figure. Its really not as hard as it sounds.

  • TjebTjeb Posts: 507
    edited December 1969

    Yes, that is the best way. You then have a dollycam.
    I didn't explain very well; the sphere should be parented to the part of the figure (I was just guessing, that would be Vicky) that makes the least movement, like Hip or Pelvis.

  • SnowPheonixSnowPheonix Posts: 896
    edited December 1969

    If you mean depth of field, then yes if you want the focal point to change (or if the item you want to be in focus changes its distance from the camera). If you have the camera selected and view the sceen through the Perspective View, or another camera, then there will be a sphere icon controlling the focal point and a cube that controls the width of the in-focus area, or you can use the Focal Distance and F-Stop sliders in the parameters.

    Is there a video that demonstrates DOF using the Focal Distance and F-Stop? Focal Distance I get but how does F-Stop effect the DOF?

    Can you adjust the camera itself between say 40mm lens and 16mm (for example)?

  • JonnyRayJonnyRay Posts: 1,744
    edited December 1969

    Is there a video that demonstrates DOF using the Focal Distance and F-Stop? Focal Distance I get but how does F-Stop effect the DOF?

    Can you adjust the camera itself between say 40mm lens and 16mm (for example)?


    Basic concept ... the bigger the F-Stop, the larger the DOF range is. At F/4 you have a fairly narrow range of focus. At F/22 your range of focus is much greater.

    You can adjust the lens used in the camera.

    1. Create a camera (you probably already knew this part :) )
    2. In the Scene hierarchy, select the camera
    3. In the Parameters pane, select the Camera node and you can modify the lens being used, the F/stop, etc.

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