Download Version 1.1: jj_target.py

Introduction

JJ_target.py is a utility to target both cameras and lights at geometry.

  • Targets lights and cameras at geometry
  • Operates on multiple selected items
  • Optional 'autofocus' argument will target and autofocus the render camera
  • Optional 'autofocusonly' argument will leave the render camera as is but autofocus it on selected geometry
  • Optional 'camera' argument will target the render camera only without you having to select it.=
  • modo 2.0 only

There are several different 'modes' for usage:

1. If you select items in the viewport i.e. lights or cameras in 'Item' mode then the script has to make an assumption about which pieces of selected geometry to target. It defaults to the bounding box of all selected verts or just all verts if there isn't a selection

2. If you select lights/cameras in the mesh list itself then you're free to select any kind of geometry (edges, verts, polys) to target and the script will target the current selection. This is the best way to use the script

3. If you add the argument 'camera' eg. jj_target.py camera then the script only targets the current render camera

4. If you add the argument 'autofocus' (eg. jj_target.py autofocus) the script will set the focal length of the render camera to the selected geometry. Currently it only does this for the render camera so if you have multiple cameras selected it won't alter the focal length on all of them.

5. If you run the script with 'autofocusonly' it won't target anything - it will just set the focal length of the render camera to the distance between the camera and the selected geometry.

Target light and camera at point selection:
Here, a target point is selected and the script directs the selected camera and light towards the point.


Multiple Targeting
Here, multiple items are selected in the viewport and are targeted at the centre of the bounding box of the geometry..

Autofocus and Target
Here the camera is targeted and its focal length is set by using the 'autofocus' argument.

jj_target.py autofocus

Autofocus Only
Here the camera's focal length is set to the poly selection but the camera is not targeted

jj_target.py autofocusonly

Autofocus and Target Render Camera without Selecting it..
Here the render camera is automatically targeted at selected polys without you having to select the camera. The optional autofocus argument has been used here to also set the focal length to the selection.

jj_target.py camera autofocus

Versions

Version 1.1: jj_target.py


Julian Johnson
julian@exch.demon.co.uk