10-11-2005 10:06
Have you ever tried to take a snapshot that you are in, only to have your Avatar's head facing completely the wrong way? Ever move your camera to a nice view of yourself and your friends, only to lose it completely because you switched to mouselook or changed your position temporarily? I certainly have.

I would like to see the ability to save pre-set camera positions, and to be able to switch between them while in a single sim. I would then like to take snapshots from any of these positions, without changing my point of view. This type of preset would only be good within a single sim, and would expire when I log out.

I would also like to be able to leave a camera preset at a given location, as an Inventory object, and be able to link back into it later. These could be 'left' anywhere where an object could be left, but would be 'inactive' until linked to by the owner, while they are in the same sim.

First example:
Positioning multiple camera angles for snapshots or for viewing a room.

You position your camera to get a nice look at a room, where you can see the people in it, including yourself. Save that position.

Now move the camera to a second view, and save that.

Now switch to Mouselook, so you can have your Avatar able to position their head so they are looking the right way.

Now call up a snapshot window, and be able to take a snapshot from your current point of view OR any of the recorded ones.

Or I could simply switch my point of view between Mouselook and these presets, to enjoy a scene from multiple angles. Great for a party, a dance, or an intimate situation.

Second Example:
My room mate has a hot spring spa with a sloping natural floor. At one edge it was so deep you'd wind up under water if standing there. I added a single prim that is below water level, which serves as a floor. I want to be able to readily select this prim so I can chage it's height, allowing one of my shorter friends to keep her head above water. But I can't easily select the prim while standing above the water, because there are several water planes between myself and the prim, and those belong to my room mate. I can position a camera to view the prim, but it takes a lot of fiddling to get a clear view... So...

Position a camera below the water plane, with a clear view of the prim. Record that position as an inventory object.

Later, even after several logins, I return to the spa with my short friend. I select the inventory object and use it to set my camera setting in that preset location.

Now I can click on the prim to edit it's position.

Third Example:
"Security Cameras" for your SL Home. I have a large home. I would like to see who is at the front door, while I am in the back of the house.

I position a camera and save a preset, as in the previous example.

I hear someone (via Chat or IM) who is apparently near that saved camera position.

I could select that preset and change my point of view to there, after which I could move from that position if needed, to pan the camera or look around that area.