RW Camera: Quicker way to insert and match current view

[Andy Broomell]

Currently if you're in a 3D perspective view and want to add a RW camera that matches the current view, you must:

1. Activate RW Camera tool
2. Click once to set insertion point
3. Click again to set view direction
4. Move mouse over to OIP and click on "Match Current View" button.

Note also that steps 2 and 3 "feel" wrong because you're inserting a camera in an arbitrary spot just to get the object into the document.

 

What would be great is to have a separate mode button for the RW Camera tool that automatically inserts a camera that matches the current view when clicked.

Now that I think about it though, a mode button might be challenging because how would it work when in Top/Plan?

 

So perhaps instead it could be a new command under the View menu called "Insert Camera at Current View" which would insert a RW camera using the default RW camera settings. The command would only be available when in 3D perspective.

 

A command would also be great because users could assign a keyboard shortcut to it. I would certainly use this a lot when finding camera views with a Director or Production Designer.

 

There might also be an opportunity to add a command like this to the Visualization > Cameras palette.

 

VE-102615

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Andy Broomell

[hollister design Studio]

@Andy BroomellThis was so bewildering as a new user.

 

I clicked the camera tool - went to the settings - clicked 'Match current view" on the menu that comes up - clicked OK... 

Nothing happened.

 

I tried it various ways until I finally realized I had to find a youtube video on how to use the match "Match Camera" button.

Thats just sad for something so simple.

 

Steps 2 and 3 are just not intuitive.

 

A command under View to "Insert Camera at Current View" would be nice - that's where it intuitively should be - right next to create viewport.

 

 

Coming from Autodesk MAYA (and being a Production Designer for most of my adult life) it feels more natural to use the camera tool to create and adjust viewports...

I also wish they didn't 'disconnect' after you've created a viewport.

A camera is the easiest and most intuitive way to adjust a scene.

...but that's another wish list item!

 

[MHBrown]

I agree. After a couple of days trying to VW models into photos (one-point perspective photos, which are the hardest) I've come to really dislike the ham-handed way this is handled in VW. I also strongly agree that a camera should not disconnect from the viewport. The entire camera system needs a total redo. VW needs to hire someone who knows how it should work. Clearly, they did not do this and it would be nice to find out why the company would release such a poorly thought out system.

MHBrown