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Source FilmmakerAdvanced Techniques

Lesson 3 : Camera ManipulationBy Antonio Cribari

SFM – Lesson 3

Obejctive: Learn how to manipulate the camera obtain better shots foranimations and poses.

Requirements: A working Steam Client connected to the internet withSource Filmmaker Installed. You also should have read through Hector’sLessons on basic use of Source Filmmaker to understand this lesson.

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 1

Have a project loaded with a model posed how you wish and a camera addedto the Animation Set Editor. Set your Primary Viewport to the camera in theAnimation Set Editor. Expand the camera in the Animation Set Editor to accessand manipulate all of its attributes. Press F3 (get into motion editor).

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 2

To zoom in or out, change the fieldOfView slider

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 3

To change the focus, change the focalDistance slider and match the purpleGrid box in a way that collides with the model. The grid is the distance ofFocus.

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 4

To change the strength of focus, move the aperture slider.

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 5

toneMapScale changes the brightness of the camera (exposure level) and bloomScaleChanges the intensity of the soft glaring light edges seen on the model

SFM – Lesson 3

Step 6

When Ambient Occlusions is enabled (a fake shadowing technique for a finalRendered animation or poster) SSAOBias, SSAOStrength, and SSAORadiusAre used to manipulate it. Strength determines the darkness of the shadows, BiasIs how the shadows are determined (lots of shadow or light shadow), and RadiusDetermines the spread of the shadow

SFM – Lesson 3

You should now understand how to manipulate the camera in a way that can eitherStylize or improve your animations and poses. Although it’s simple to move the sliders,It’s difficult to get an impressive look without experimentation.

Completed

Your Mission

• Make Exposure very bright with super dark SSAO shadows• Focus the camera on a model with the aperture slide about half way• Zoom all the way out and make the exposure dark with light SSAO shadows• Make the exposure dark with Max SSAO darkness; small radius; full Bloomscale