Lesson 31: Smoothing the Camera's Trajectory

To smooth the Camera's trajectory, you will adjust the points and work with the shape of the curve using the tangents of each point. To see the tangents, you will need to make them visible.

To display the trajectory options:

1. Switch to Director's View.
2. Click the Object Attributes button to access the Camera and 2D Options.
3. Click the Animation tab.
4. Under Trajectory Options, click the button for Show Always.
5. Click the button for Show Tangents.
6. Exit the Camera and 2D Projection dialog box by clicking the OK icon.
   
   The camera trajectory now has green lines extending from each point.

To smooth the trajectory:

Smoothing the trajectory is easiest when you work in Top View.

1. Switch to Top View.
   
   
2. Toggle to the Selection palette.
3. Click the Select Families button.
4. Choose the Walls family.
5. Holding down the Shift key select Pedestal from the Families list.
6. Click the Solo Mode button.
   
   There is now a much clearer view of your camera trajectory and the tangents extending from each point.
   
   
   
   Any kinks in the path result from a lengthy tangent interfering with a neighboring point. Shortening the tangent will smooth out the trajectory line.
7. Click the camera to select it.
   
   The points appear.
8. Place the cursor over the point with the longest trajectory.
   
   The cursor changes to crossed arrows.
9. Press the T key (for tangent), then click and drag to the right.
   
   The tangent lines shorten.
10. Reposition any points to smooth out the trajectory line.
    
    
11. Click the Solo Mode button.
12. Switch back to Camera View.
13. Toggle back to the Animation palette.
14. Click the Play button to view the animation.
15. Save your scene.

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