Usually when you define how you move through space by selecting a Location mode on the
Location panel and/or set time running using the Control time panel, your direction of
view will, by default, remain fixed relative
to the selected co-ordinate system (planetographic, orbital or heliocentric - see
Location modes).
Often, however, you may wish to lock your view in some other way. Choose one of the modes in
the drop down menu. Use the Motion preview sub-panel to get a clearer picture of what each
of these modes means.
By default, the roll angle is fixed. By clicking the Lock base plane button
in the TRACK AIM panel it is possible allow
the roll angle to change with each time (or other) step.
Use the pop-up menu in the
TRACK AIM panel to choose one of three modes for controlling the direction of view while running
time (time tracking):
Relative to the co-ordinate system - changing location type automatically changes this mode:
Choosing location type: Observe from surface or Space: track surface,
sets TRACK AIM mode to
Relative to horizon
Choosing location type: Space: track body, sets TRACK AIM mode to
Relative to the body's orbit
Choosing location type: Heliocentric, sets TRACK AIM mode to
Relative to sun
Relative to sky - simulates the view of an observer looking at a fixed point in the sky
Lock aim - simulates the view of an observer whose view is locked on an object whilst orbiting
relative to the object selected in the location panel (this control is linked to the lock aim
button in the Aim panel).
To get a clearer picture of what each of these modes means, use the Motion preview sub-panel -
see below.
If you're new to RedShift, and not yet familiar with the different co-ordinate systems, take
a look at the explanatory animations in the Motion preview sub-panel.
Click the Motion preview sub-panel button to open
the sub-panel and play the animations. You can also show this sub-panel by choosing Motion
preview from the Control menu, or pressing F11 on the keyboard. With the Motion preview sub-panel
open, click each of the options in the TRACK AIM and Location type pop-up menus to view an animation
which demonstrates the different TRACK AIM and Location modes.
For example, if you choose Observe from surface location mode (using the pop-up menu in the
Location panel), the TRACK AIM mode automatically switches to Relative to horizon mode. The
animation in the Motion preview sub-panel shows the camera (the observer) located in a fixed
position on the surface of the planet, with the observer's direction of view always pointing
in the same direction relative to the surface of the planet. Change TRACK AIM mode to Lock aim.
Now you can see the difference. The observer remains in a fixed position on the surface, but now
the observer's direction of view changes to keep it locked on an object in the sky.
Each illustration shows an example of what happens when time runs forward. Heliocentric location
mode is a special case; here the illustration shows what happens when position is changed, as
well as time running forward.
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