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    Part 4B. Camera Flight Path

    Getting Started with VNS 3: Draping Images on Terrain
    Getting Started with VNS 3: Draping Images on Terrain

    Part 4B. Camera Flight Path

    1. Switch the Main view back to realtime mode.

    A computer-generated 3D terrain model with a green vertical line and two red diagonal lines converging at a point in the distance. Various tool icons are displayed at the top of the screen.

    2. It’s time to rotate the Main Camera. We’ve already used the Rotate View on the titlebar so let’s use a different method.

    A computer screen displays a toolbar with icons. A cursor is pointing to the 'Rotate View' icon, which shows a tooltip reading "Rotate View.

    3. Activate the Main view and hold the space bar down to manipulate the camera. Select Rotate Mode on the toolbar. You will stay in manipulate camera mode as long as the space bar is depressed. By default, Heading , Pitch , and Bank are enabled. We just want to pitch the camera down. Disable Heading and Bank to keep from accidentally rotating the camera in those directions.

    A software toolbar displaying various icons, with a cursor hovering over a button labeled "B". Icons include tools for rotating, moving, and scaling objects.

    4. Pitch the camera view down to see just terrain. With the space bar still depressed, enable the Heading and Bank to make them available next time you need to manipulate an object. Release the space bar and exit Rotate Mode.

    A blurry, pixelated image of a landscape with shades of gray and white, displayed within a computer application window. Navigation and tool options are visible at the top of the window.

    5. Go to the Render Task Mode. Select the Main Camera and Create to digitize a camera path.

    6. The Create window will confirm that we are creating a new path for the camera Main.

    A software interface titled “Create a new Path for the Camera Main” with tabs for Summary, Mouse, and Conform, showing fields for Mouse, Elev, Smooth, Point Space, Speed, Weight, Rend Color, and more settings.

    7. To watch the Camera Editor while we’re digitizing the path, open the Main view popup menu and select Edit View’s Camera.

    A dropdown menu from a software application with options such as "Dock," "Edit View's Camera," "Render Options," and "Joystick," along with shortcut keys listed.

    8. Go to the Position & Orientation page.

    A software interface showing settings for camera position and orientation, including latitude, longitude, elevation, heading, pitch, and bank, with various numerical values filled in.

    9. We can retrieve the Create window, and any hidden window, by going to the Window menu and selecting the window we’re looking for.

    A screenshot of Visual Nature Studio 3.0 software highlighting the option "Create a new Path for the Camera Main" under the Camera Editor - Main menu.

    10. The Create window settings depend on the type of vector being digitized. On the Mouse page, we’re set to draw in the Single mode, with one point for each mouse click.

    Dialog box titled "Create a new Path for the Camera Main" with options to add points to the path using a mouse: Single, Connect, or Sketch, and an adjustable "Point Space" set to 1000m.

    11. The Conform page defaults to Small Plane, with its own Elevation, Smoothing, Point Space and Speed settings. Increase the Elevation to 10 kilometers and the Speed to 600 m/s.

    Screenshot of a settings menu titled "Create a new Path for the Camera Main." Options include preset behaviors and adjustable fields for elevation, smoothness, point spacing, and speed.

    12. Left-click a starting point at the west end of this snowy cliff, left-click again at the east end, and right-click to finish.

    A computer screen displaying an aerial or satellite image, with visible grid lines and a cursor pointing at a specific location.

    13. The Input Request window pops up with the time of the flight path based on the Create parameters. Confirm the length and save the project.

    Dialog box with a message to confirm the length of time in seconds for a motion path. The input field shows "8.584736" and the cursor points to the "OK" button.

    14. Play the animation. The Main Camera is targeted so it keeps looking at its stationary target as it moves along its path.

    15. Stop the animation and return to frame 0.

    16. Go to the Camera Editor General page. Change the Camera Type to Align to Path.

    A settings window titled "Camera Editor - Main" with general features and camera type options including "Align to Path." Advanced features are hidden.

    17. Play the animation. The Main Camera is now aligned to its flight path but the pitch is a little off.

    18. Stop playing the animation and return to the beginning. Go to the Camera Editor Position & Orientation page and change the Pitch it to 60°. Play the animation.

    A software interface labeled "Camera Editor - Main" with fields for latitude, longitude, and elevation under Position, and heading, pitch, and bank options under Orientation. A cursor points to the pitch field set to 60°.

    19. Save the project and render a Main preview. As it renders you can see the coarseness of the 100-meter terrain data.

    A satellite image showing a mountainous terrain with valleys and ridges, displayed in a software interface with toolbar icons at the top.
    A computer screen displays a rendering of a mountainous terrain with a black background and a toolbar at the top.

    20. Go to the Database Editor and disable the YNP-100m DEM.

    Screenshot of a database editor window showing a list of locations with labels, visibility settings, and color columns. A cursor is pointing to one of the visibility checkboxes.

    21. Select one of the YNP-10m tiles and turn to the Layer page.

    A screenshot of a Database Editor window displaying a list of quad names with checkboxes under various columns. The 'Layer' tab is selected, and 'YNP-10m.CR' is highlighted.

    22. Click the DEM 10m column label and Enable Layer Members.

    Screenshot of a Database Editor window showing a list of layers, some with checkmarks. A dropdown menu is open with options to enable, disable, purge, select, or delete layer members.

    23. The Plan view terrain will turn white because the overlay image is now out of date.

    A software interface displaying a mapping tool with a central crosshair, overlaid grids, and an irregular polygon shape on a white background.

    24. Open the View Preferences to the Overlay/Gradient page. Regenerate the Ecosystem Map. It will take longer to generate the texture map because the terrain resolution is higher. When the overlay appears, you’ll notice that it is much sharper.

    Screenshot of the "View Preferences 1" settings panel showing options for overlay and gradient preferences, including Ecosystem Map checked and various elevation maps and intervals.

    25. Save the project and render a Main Camera preview.

    Aerial view of a mountainous region with rocky terrain and minimal vegetation. Some snow patches are visible, and the image interface shows editing tools at the top.

    26. The 10-meter DEMs required more time to render than the 100-meter DEM, but they give us much more detailed terrain. The drape is a little dark, so let’s lighten the rendered view. Go to the Scene-at-a-Glance. Double-click the Post Processes to create a new one and rename it Gamma.

    Screenshot of the Post Process Editor - Gamma window, showing options for naming, enabling, previewing, and evaluating events. Multiple settings and checkboxes, including color filters, are visible.

    27. Add Post Process Event . The default is Gamma which is what we want. Gamma will lighten the render overall without bleaching the highlights.

    Screenshot of the Post Process Editor - Gamma window displaying options to enable, preview, and adjust gamma settings with RGB and HSV color options and intensity, filter, and event settings.

    28. Reduce the Gamma value to 1.3.

    A screenshot of a software window labeled "Post Process Editor - Gamma" showing settings for Gamma adjustment including intensity, filter type, and Gamma value with options for RGB/HSV and color checkboxes.

    29. Open the Main Camera popup menu and Select Option Set. Note that it’s using the YNP Preview Options.

    A dropdown menu is open in a software program. The user is selecting "YNP Preview Options" under "Select Option Set.

    30. Expand the Render Options in the Scene-at-a-Glance. Click, drag, and drop the Gamma Post Process on the YNP Render Options.

    Screenshot of Visual Nature Studio 3.0 software interface showing various rendering options, with "Gamma (Post Process)" highlighted under the "Post Processes" menu.

    31. Confirm the operation.

    A dialog box with the text "Add Gamma (Post Process) to YNP Render Options (Render Options)?" and buttons for "OK" and "Cancel". A cursor points to the "OK" button.

    32. Open the YNP Render Options Editor to its Post page and you’ll see Gamma listed.

    Screenshot of a "Render Options Editor - YNP Render Options" window showing a "Gamma" post-process option selected in the Post tab.

    33. Open another Main Camera view in the Plan Camera window for comparison. Open its View Preferences, Select Option Set, and choose YNP Render Options. Save the project and render a preview. Note that the view is generally lighter and we still have detail in the highlights.

    Main camera view with Gamma Post Process
    Main camera view with Gamma Post Process
    A satellite image showing a mountainous terrain with uneven rocky surfaces and snow-capped peaks.
    Main camera view without Gamma Post Process

    34. The rendered animation is on the VNS 3 DVD in the animation folder and named YNPCM.mov.

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