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Camera Animations

Camera Animations lets you capture camera checkpoints, auto-generate animation JSON, and run a compact presentation controller in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

What It Does​

Use Camera Animations to:

  • Build camera paths from checkpoints
  • Preview timed transitions between checkpoints
  • Step through checkpoints manually during a presentation
  • Return to your original camera pose when exiting presentation mode
  • Keep your animation JSON available when reopening the window in the same session

Open Camera Animations​

  1. Click the Camera Animations icon on the top toolbar.
  2. In the Camera Animations window, configure transition/interpolation settings and add checkpoints.

Camera Icon

Current Window Workflow​

Capture Checkpoints​

  1. Move the camera to a desired viewpoint.
  2. Click Add Current Position.
  3. Repeat for each checkpoint.

Each checkpoint stores:

  • position (Vector3)
  • rotation (Quaternion)
  • time (seconds to transition to the next checkpoint)

JSON Is Auto-Populated​

  • The Exported Animation JSON field is automatically regenerated when you add or clear checkpoints.
  • There is no separate export button in the current workflow.
  • You can still paste/edit JSON manually if needed.

Launch Presentation Controller​

  1. Click Open Animation Controller.
  2. The Camera Animations window hides.
  3. A compact controller appears at bottom-right.

Bottom-Right Presentation Controller​

Current button order (left to right):

  1. Reset
  2. Play / Pause
  3. Previous
  4. Next
  5. Close (X)

Reset​

  • Returns camera to the original pose captured right before presentation started.

Play / Pause​

  • Play runs timed animation from the current checkpoint forward.
  • Pause stops timed playback and keeps the exact live/interpolated camera pose (no snapping to checkpoint).

Previous / Next​

  • Move manually between checkpoints.
  • These controls are for manual stepping mode (non-timed playback).

Close (X)​

  • Exits presentation mode.
  • Restores the original camera pose from before you clicked Open Animation Controller.

JSON Persistence​

During the current app session:

  • The JSON field content is cached.
  • After closing presentation and reopening Camera Animations, the previous JSON is restored.

For long-term storage across app restarts, copy JSON into an external file.

Suggested Usage Pattern​

  1. Set Transition Time and interpolation options.
  2. Add multiple checkpoints with Add Current Position.
  3. Confirm JSON looks correct.
  4. Click Open Animation Controller.
  5. Use:
    • Play for timed walkthrough
    • Pause to stop on exact current camera pose
    • Previous/Next for manual checkpoint stepping
    • Reset to return to pre-presentation start pose
  6. Click Close (X) when finished to restore initial camera pose.

Troubleshooting​

Controller does not appear

  • Ensure JSON is valid and non-empty before clicking Open Animation Controller.

Playback is not as expected

  • Check each checkpoint time value.
  • Verify movement/rotation interpolation selections.

Need to continue later

  • Reopen Camera Animations in the same session; JSON should be restored.
  • Save JSON externally for restart-safe persistence.

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