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Wanted - Camera Genius

SubLogical

SubLogical

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ca-britishcolumbia
I've been creating my own FSX Cameras with reasonable success but this one has me stymied!

Instead of the 2D Cockpit open view I created an open view (360) from a VC format that I call the "Crows Nest" as it pops you out and on top of the Dash 8 for a good look around while flying. Also, the engines are visible from this location.

On the ground, it works and is perfectly presented ... but when I fly, it virtually disintegrates into various sections of the plane. Here's a couple of views demonstrating the problem:-

1) on the ground (this has 360 viewing with the hat)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vi3l5ymw6lmxwx/Looking back from cam location.jpg?dl=0

2) in the air
https://www.dropbox.com/s/801mjc0d6566rg7/Whoa.jpg?dl=0

[CameraDefinition.5]
Title = "Observer View"
Guid = {39E3A5F2-2D5A-43E0-BD13-F09BF011ED71}
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
MomentumEffect = NO
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
Track = None
ShowAxis = YES
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.5
SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Cockpit
PitchPanRate=60
panacceleratortime = 0.0
HeadingPanRate=60
InitialXyz=0.55, 0.0, -0.75
InitialPbh=0, 0, 0

Any idea what's happening or what I'm doing wrong?

Ken
 
SubLogical said:
I've been creating my own FSX Cameras with reasonable success but this one has me stymied!

Instead of the 2D Cockpit open view I created an open view (360) from a VC format that I call the "Crows Nest" as it pops you out and on top of the Dash 8 for a good look around while flying. Also, the engines are visible from this location.

On the ground, it works and is perfectly presented ... but when I fly, it virtually disintegrates into various sections of the plane. Here's a couple of views demonstrating the problem:-

1) on the ground (this has 360 viewing with the hat)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vi3l5ymw6lmxwx/Looking back from cam location.jpg?dl=0

2) in the air
https://www.dropbox.com/s/801mjc0d6566rg7/Whoa.jpg?dl=0

[CameraDefinition.6]
Title = "Crows Nest"
Guid = {18555558-E82C-4266-A6A9-31B58882D720}
Origin = Center
MomentumEffect = NO
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
Track = None
ShowAxis = YES
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = .50
SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Aircraft
PitchPanRate=60
panacceleratortime = 0.0
HeadingPanRate=60
InitialXyz=.55, 4.5, 3.0
InitialPbh=2, -1.0, 0.0
Hotkeyselect=5

Any idea what's happening or what I'm doing wrong?

Ken
Click to expand...


Sorry, here's the correct code.
 
Have you tried setting ClipMode? It supports values of Normal, Minimum, Spot, and Tower. From the documentation:

This setting is used to control how the clip planes are computed. Clip planes are used to set the minimum and maximum distances for rendering in a 3D graphics program. The relative location of these planes determines how precise the graphics engine can maintain the Z-order of objects. A discussion of clip plane management is beyond the scope of this document. However, the concept is relevant to the camera system because it determines whether the camera favors near or far objects in the view:
  • Normal – The near clip plane is scaled along with the zoom level. Useful for most views.
  • Minimum – Clamps the near clip plane at its absolute minimum value (1 meter). Useful for cameras where the camera is placed close to object geometry (e.g., aircraft cameras).
  • Spot – Favors distant objects by scaling the near clip plane with altitude and distance. Useful when the camera is positioned a reasonable distance away from the target object (e.g., spot view).
  • Tower – Favors near objects by scaling the near clip plane by one-half the zoom level and clamping the far plane based on visibility settings with an absolute limit of 20km. Useful when objects at the limits of visibility aren’t important.
Click to expand...
 
Many thanks for that ollyau,

I'll do some work with it and let you know how I make out. One thing is for sure ... I'd never have thought of that but the description you sent certainly suggests it's in the ball park.

Best,

Ken
 
Hiya - just a note. I've reported this thread, so don't be surprised if you find it moved... this should go into Airplane Design I believe. Definitely not Tools programming.
 
Thanks for the heads up. There doesn't seem to be a large interest in the subject which is probably why there's no obvious forum for it.

Ken
 
Its reported but I don't think we will move it this time :)
 
Many thanks for your suggestion ollyau ... I was aware of this valuable document but not sufficiently informed on all of its intricacies.

In my development of Camera's (a subject, that in my view, is atrociously done by today's excellent airplane developers who obviously don't fly their own creations) I'm trying to cover both the unencumbered outside views of the wonderful new scenery packs as well as a very limited number of cameras that are carefully set-up to aid in piloting the aircraft and readily viewed. The new planes require a lot more interior button clicking to keep them in the air so the camera views have be quickly posted and visually effective in instrument targeting ... I believe.

Anyway it's an interesting subject and I'm enjoying the learning curve. I date from the Bruce Artwick era when it was the 172 from Meigs Airport in Chicago (hoping to get enough altitude to miss the Sears Tower) and all afternoon to Kankakee all via the keyboard. The progress in flight simming, which seems to be accelerating without MS help is literally mind boggling.

I seem to have been "reported" and I'm guessing I'm in the wrong forum ... hope it wasn't to InterPol....?

Best,

Ken
 
Well ollyau, you were spot on! It's nice to be in the company of genius.

I tried the Clipmode=Normal with out any improvement. However, Clipmode=Minimum did the trick. It's hard programming because you have to have the plane flying to see if your change worked. Maybe Slewing would be debug ticket.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u9vhz7z20067yc4/2015-01-23_16-20-10.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5k0b3ul0n688fy/2015-01-23_16-21-34.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fg2aeio7yqg7ib/2015-01-23_16-22-08.jpg?dl=0

I thought you might enjoy seeing your work, work!!!

Best,

Ken
 
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