Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
In the beginning, I think it is best to learn how to light
without relying on the computer to do everything for you.
After you learn how to light and create well-lit scenes on your
own, then you can explore things like radiosity solutions,
global illumination, and other renderers in order to create
completely photo-realistic lighting. We will talk about good
lighting technique in a later chapter.
Cameras
The camera is just what you think it is: a
virtual camera that gives you something
tangible to view and control in 3D space.
When you are modeling and twirling
around in 3ds Max you are actually look-
ing through your Perspective viewport.
The Perspective view is not something
you can literally move and control. You
can only
look
through it. A camera, how-
ever, is something that you can actually
see in your scene. You can view through
your Max camera just like a home video
camera. You can animate the camera, tell it to follow objects,
change the field of view (or your viewing angle), and so on.
In
The Lord of the Rings
, a camera starts at the top of a
tower and flies deep into the ground. This effect was accom-
plished by creating the set and then animating the virtual
camera in that scene according to the desired camera path.
Being able to create these CG environments and then animate
a virtual camera through your environment is something that
has completely changed filmmaking. There is no way to create
the same shots in, for example, the movie
Spider-Man
with an
actual camera. It is simply impossible to do it otherwise.
Figure 1-8: The
Cameras section
