stager386 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 I frequently send three versions of a design to a client. I would like to have the camera remain in the same spot for different designs. Meaning, I have 3 designs and each design has 3 views of the room. I would like to have all 3 camera views be in the exact same spot for each of the 3 designs. The only way I can do this is by changing the design while leaving the camera in place. That's a lot of extra work. Am I missing something or does CA not have this capability? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 I personally do a save as of the plan in situations like that. Basically make changes in a new version of the plan and leave the camera in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKitchenAbode Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 You can also get the camera position coordinates and settings and then type them into your other plans camera DBX. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Not sure if this even remotely will help you but .... in the camera dbx, you could position your cameras in exactly the same locations on other designs/plans if you know the X, Y and angle of each camera. Note that I have a red line cross hair (marker) on the lower left corner of my plan which I have set at X=0 and Y=0 so I can start my drawings in the same location with each project. This helps keep things close to center and helps keep things from straying out in the boonies which sometimes can be a problem with some plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Graham: You beat me to it .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkMc Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 We also always have a few versions, and I'm guessing yours are interiors? Like Michael I use save as. We place all cameras as early in the process as possible, before things get crowded. Perspective cameras are moved to a separate layer that we can hide while working to keep things tidy. The first "save as" is kept as is, relatively bare, just in case. If a camera must be moved then Graham/CJ's method is used. Also use "copy and paste in place " between plans a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKitchenAbode Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Graham: You beat me to it .... Maybe Yes, Maybe Not. If you had pressed post after the first sentence I think the situation would have been reversed. Thanks Curt, Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 You cannot copy cameras, wish we could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stager386 Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Thank you. And the winner is.......CJ! I didn't realize I could get the coordinates of the camera, which I can repeat now that I know them. Thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Actually, I think Michael's suggestion is the best ... assuming that you have all three cameras positioned exactly where you want them in the first design scenario. And of course each camera should be saved in that plan. Since you are obviously changing something within each of the 3 designs, why not get the first one perfectly set up with all the materials, colors, lighting, etc. and then save [save As] that plan with two other file names, each with the file name uniquely describing a major design change pertinent to each. For example, if the first design's unique identifier is Oak cabinets, while the other two use Cherry or Painted cabinets, then that could be the way you might distinguish between the three files - by the cabinet materials. Because the camera views were saved in the first plan, they are likewise saved/retained in the other two design files. You don't have to monkey around with making sure they have the right spec's (X, Y, angle, etc.). If there are other things that change in the other two designs [e.g., walls moved, different cabinet layout, etc. ... it still should be easier to work from the first file but just making the changes required per your alternative design scenario(s). Glad I could help. As you will learn with Chief, it is loaded with useful features that often are overlooked or forgotten as we get into our own little work procedures and methods. I think David Potter years ago suggested doing an hour or more of daily study of Chief's features just so we can keep up with all the ways CA is setup to help us work. I don't do it .... but I should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 There's one minor detail that should probably be mentioned just in case. In order to do a Save As and keep the camera in the new plan, you actually have to save the camera. Not at my computer to check the name of the tool, but once you select the camera, there is a tool called something like "Save Camera" in the edit toolbar...click it. Either that or open the camera dbx (or click "Edit Active Camera" while in 3D and check the little box labeled "Saved" (or something along those lines). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Michael: Yes yes ... see my 2nd sentence .... definitely save the camera [actually all 3 camera views] in the first plan. Not sure what sort of design work is being done ... I assumed a kitchen, but it could be any room in a home or other building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Sorry Curt. I did read your post but I missed that. My bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues91 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 You cannot copy cameras, wish we could. This drives me nuts. It seems like the code for this would be easy, maybe not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopsaw Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 You cannot copy cameras, wish we could. Perry, Would this be the same as a "Save as" feature for cameras? If so this has to be submitted as a vitally serious suggestion if it has not already been done. This would be a major time saver now that we have live views in X8 layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 We have never been able to copy cameras, you now have to set up each one separately. total time loser if you ask me. But if you use a template plan with the cameras already saved, then it's not so bad. I never create cameras anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkMc Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Perry -are you also saving interior cameras in template? I've tried that for kitchens and I haven't been able to get that to save much time. Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Use it with a layout template and pre send all cameras to the layout weather they show anything at all or not. You move the cameras in place on the plan, and the layout shows automatically. big time saver. set up once and done forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkMc Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Thanks Perry, will try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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