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Old 20-10-2005, 10:35 PM   #1
3Dmaniac
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Default setting up a camera in Lightwave 8.3

Hi,
I just got Lightwave a few days ago, and I was wondering how to make the camera always face towards an object like a null.

Thanks a lot
Patrick
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Old 21-10-2005, 12:12 AM   #2
R4s1n
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After you have placed your camera where you want it hit 'Enter' twice to make a key for the camera. This will freeze it in that spot so it will keep facing your object. Hope this helps.
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Old 21-10-2005, 02:12 AM   #3
3Dmaniac
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Thanks for the quick reply. I should have re-phrased my question. Here it goes again: I want the camera to move with the null. So if I move the null, i want the camera to move with it. But i don't want the camera sitting directly on top of the null. I just want the camera pointing at the null at all times.

Thanks again
Patrick
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Old 21-10-2005, 11:41 AM   #4
NoStr0m0
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you could always try and make the null a target for the camera. Just select the camera and hit M and under the Target tap select NULL.
This will make the camera always face the null. After you target an object you can no longer rotate the camera using the rotate function (always facing the object, remember) but you can rotate it by moving it around the null.

I've heard an interesting comparisson one day: it's like you're the camera and the null is a kite. If you hold it you can't spin but if the kite moves, even though you don't move with it, you will have to turn and face it.
Well, kinda...

hope it helps
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Old 26-10-2005, 11:05 PM   #5
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Lightbulb

You might try first targeting the object with the camera; then in motion options, parent the camera to the object, first making sure that in your (I believe ) general options dialogue box the box for parent in place is checked. this will allow the camera to track the object and also to follow the object along its motion path with out being directly on the object. This will allow you to use an envelope for the motion channels you set up for the camera. When you parent it directly to the object, it (the camera) will always point to the pivot point of the object, if this doesn't work, then you can use a null, parent it to the object so you can move it where you like on the object. then target the null with the camera.
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Old 27-10-2005, 10:08 AM   #6
KrisYoung1980
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I could be wrong, but in my experience, when you parent the camera to an object and try an target it as well it usually goes a bit screwy, I usually use follower from the motion modifiers instead...
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Old 27-10-2005, 12:35 PM   #7
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this may or maynot be of help but try this
camSetUP
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Old 29-10-2005, 03:43 PM   #8
rwhunt99
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KrisYoung1980;
After further revue, I realise I usually just target the camera to the object when the camera is static and use a null when I have the camera in motion. I sometimes copy the motion path of the object and offset it for use of the camera. So I guess I haven't seen any unusual effects by doing as I mentioned earlier
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