Camera

Position and Orientation:

A 3D camera has a position (location) and an orientation (direction it's pointing). These parameters determine where the camera is located within the 3D scene and the direction in which it's facing.

• Target Camera
• Rigged Camera (Dolly)

Perspective vs. Orthographic:

A 3D camera can use either a perspective or orthographic projection. Perspective projection mimics the way the human eye perceives depth, making objects appear smaller as they move away from the camera. Orthographic projection maintains consistent object sizes regardless of distance, which is useful for technical or architectural renderings.

‍

Aspect Ratio:

The aspect ratio of the camera's view determines the proportions of the rendered image. Common aspect ratios include 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard).

Field of View (FOV):

The field of view is an angle that defines how much of the 3D scene is visible through the camera's lens. A wider FOV shows more of the scene, while a narrower FOV focuses on a smaller area with greater detail.

Depth of Field (DOF):

Depth of field controls how much of the scene is in focus. A shallow DOF blurs objects that are not at the focal point, creating a sense of depth and drawing attention to specific elements. A deep DOF keeps most objects in focus.

‍

‍

Clipping Planes:

Clipping planes define the range of distances within which objects are visible to the camera. Objects outside the clipping range are not rendered. There are near and far clipping planes.

Camera Animation:

In animations and dynamic scenes, the 3D camera can be animated to move, rotate, or change its parameters over time. This allows for dynamic camera shots and storytelling.

Viewport and Render Target:

The viewport is the area of the screen or rendering output where the camera's view is displayed. The render target is where the camera's view is rendered to create the final image.

Cameras in Virtual Reality (VR):

In VR applications, there are specialized cameras to represent the user's point of view. These cameras respond to the user's head movements, creating a realistic immersive experience.

Cameras in Game Engines:

- Game engines often provide various camera types, such as first-person cameras, third-person cameras, and cinematic cameras, to suit different gameplay and storytelling needs.

‍