Camera Plane (Maya Style)

21 votes
Version: 
1.71
Date Updated: 
08/13/2008
Author Name: 
Arda Kutlu

This Script creates a free camera from the current view which has a plane attached.

- Asks for a bitmap input and creates and assigns a self illuminated material to the plane.

- Looks for the image aspect ratio of the current scene and creates the plane according to that.

-Plane stays at the far range of the camera (you can simply change the location by changing cameras far range value)

-Plane always stays filling the current render area, even if you transform the camera, change the focal length or change the far range value.

-Plane is not visible to camera (for render), not casting or receiving shadows and frozen by default, of course you can change these settings after creation.

This script can be used for various ways, such as for rendering refractions over live footage. Or just for the feeling of maya camera background. I just have found myself trying to match a image plane over a viewport background more than once.

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Update History

- Version 1.7 (special thanks to Cesar Saez for the idea and effort)

-If a camera is selected, it adds the image plane to that camera instead of creating a new one.

-Added support for target cameras 

- Version 1.71

  - minor bug fix related with target cameras

 

Additional Info: 

This file is a macroscript. Run the script (or just drag it onto a viewport). From Customize => customize user interface - under the Category Tik Works, assign it into a shortcut, menu or quad menu.

Version Requirement: 
9 and above

Comments

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W DIGITAL's picture

this is a great script!

this is a great script! THANKS!!!

how about changing it so that geometry is linked to the camera as well, in the same way the plane is, but that the scale of the object changes with the distance of the camera, always keeping proportion, like the width and height of the plane, that would be very useful!

jpaang's picture

Cool

Awesome... Would this be the right script to use for lining up cameras to start modeling a 2004 Mercury Marauder (my car) I have taken multiple photos and used ImageModeler 2009 for camera calibration?

masquerade's picture

I just checked and it is

I just checked and it is working in version 2011 64bit. I dont know if I am stating the obvious but this is a macroscript. see the additional info, or macroscript section in maxscript documentation.

watto's picture

Script for Max 2011?

I cant use this script in max 2011 (64 bit)

where can i look for the script or plug?

Tanx

masquerade's picture

Thanks.. I am glad that you

Thanks.. I am glad that you like them. I am afraid there wont be anymore :( cause I am switching to Maya because of my job requirements..

frnkcrnk's picture

Nice!! you got some cool

Nice!!

you got some cool scripts in ur site.

masquerade's picture

Hi Fernando, I replied your

Hi Fernando,

I replied your question via e-mail. thanks.

fferro's picture

Hi, How could you cast

Hi,

How could you cast shadows over a ground plane? MatteShadows material always shows the environment map in the diffuse map.

I need to see the plate created with this scripts (with a bitmap applied) and shadows on the floor (another plane object).

Thanks,
Fernando

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