How do I animate a camera?

druc

I have just purchased Female Walking Construction Set for Genesis 8 and 8.1 Females. In the videos on how to use the animation blocks  it shows the walk cycles with the camera animated to stay a uniform distance from the figure. How do I create a camera to do this?

barbult

Create a camera with the Create/New Camera menu in Daz Studio. Set your viewport to use that camera. When you move the camera it wll create a keyframe in the timeline.

druc

Thank you barbuit. If I understand your comment, there is no way to "point" a camera at a figure and have the camera move as the figure moves.

felis

You can set your camera to 'point at', and then choose your chaeacter.

Although I think I would suggest using a null as target to have a litlle more controle.

druc

Thank you fells. There is an option in the create a camera for a Persistent Point at Target (null). I have tried as is and also parented to the upper body of the figure. Parented it does always point. Using an Arc 90 L the camera remains in the same position, but turns, so faces the front of the figure, then when the 90 turn happens the camara shows the figure back. So the camera will rotate, just not move to follow the walk cycle and keep the figure the same size in the frame.

Richard Haseltine

If you want the camera to move with the figure you need to parent it (care needs to be taken as you presumably don't want it bobbing up and down) or establish links between its translations and those of the figure (which can be more seelctive about how it tracks, but is harder to save without scripting).

druc

Thank you Richard, I understand what you mean about possible issues with parenting. I've had some unusual results in the past.  For example the camera twisting the ground plane.

I have been in contact with the vendor who has been very helpful. For the video on the product page they used the Front camera so it seems the camera is moving. They also gave advice on how to change the animation to "walking on the spot" Although I haven't mastered the instructions yet in order to make it work.