Using an Ortho Camera with Persp-style movements

[Br0ken1334]

Hi! 

Is there way to use an orthographic camera without annoying free orbit around all axis? Just as perspective camera.

I tried to lock camera's Y axis, but it works not so smooth as in perspective...

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

I'm a bit confused, do you want the ortho cameras to work exactly like the perspective camera or do you just want movement in one direction?

If you go to View->Camera Tools->Tumble Tool you can turn of the Ortho lock so you can rotate the camera up/down and side to side however the movement won't be as smooth and it wont cover all directions like the perspective camera but it's the best you'll get for that type of movement.

If you want another perspective camera, simply create another camera and use that one in one of the viewports.

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[Br0ken1334]

Try to rotate a scene with Persp camera and with Ortho camera (with unlocked ortho views).

You'll notice that ortho camera rotates too free (on all axis).

Persp camera rotates on XZ only (my Z is up).

[RickFalck]

Try making a new perspective camera, checking 'orthographic' in 'orthographic views' (attribute editor), and unlocking the 'orthographic view's in the tumble tool options. 

[Br0ken1334]

When I check "orthographic", it gives me "rotate on all axis" behavior, instead default persp XZ rotation.

[RickFalck]

do you have "perspective/orthographic" unchecked in the panel>view>camera settings? (alt+P)

[sean.heasley]

Hi @RickFalck

If you go to the top or front view for example and use the tumble tool, turn off lock but keep stepped on. This should limit you to only being able to move on one axis at a time. However if you disable stepped then the camera moves freely like a perspective camera.

[RickFalck]

Not the OP's issue I don't believe.

I have no problem creating a Y up constrained ortho camera if i do as described in my previous replies.

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

Just wanted to check in to see how things were going. Are you still having this issue?

If your issue is resolved, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

[Br0ken1334]

Sorry for delay.

I was recorded an issue I have, persp vs. ortho. I want to keep persp camera behavior (locked "up" axis) while using an ortho camera (like in 3ds Max, for example).

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

Thanks for posting that video! It is odd that when checking orthographic the camera didn't snap properly.

There might be something wrong with your Maya so I'd recommend you try deleting your settings/preferences and also check you are on Update 4, our most recent update, of 2018.

Once you do that you can try toggling orthographic again and let me know if this still occurs!

[Br0ken1334]

I don't want to snap, I need to save persp-style camera rotation (with locked "up" axis) when ortho camera is checked.

Watch the video again and you see that ortho cam rotates too "freely", not like persp cam.

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

Yes I see that the camera movement is still free when you check orthographic. It basically looks like you aren't even checking ortho because you can still move in 3d movement. This is why I recommended you try deleting your settings/preferences. Have you had a chance to try that?

[Br0ken1334]

I need an ortho cam to be free as persp, so that is fine.

So, take a look at transform attributes of the persp camera, it rotates on XZ only, Y is always zero. If I check ortho on, it begins to rotate on XYZ axis.

But I want to keep XZ rotation only, as in the persp camera. Just like if I press "U" in Perspective camera in 3ds Max.

I really hope that my explanation is understandable. 🙂

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

Ah ok, so in Max when you press U and use the middle mouse instead of rotating around you just pan. Is that what you're trying to do?

If so, simply press the ALT+Middle Mouse and then move your mouse and you will pan around.

[Br0ken1334]

I need a rotating, not panning.

In 3ds Max, when I switch to Ortho from Perspective, it continues to rotate on XZ axis. That is I needed in Maya, where

Ortho from Perspective switch gives me a rotation on all (XYZ) axis.

In steps:

1) Unlock an ortho view in Tumble Tool settings and switch it on in Camera Attributes. Hooray, we can rotate the camera in Ortho Mode! But...

2) Compare how the camera rotates with Ortho on and off. XYZ rotating in Ortho, XZ - in Persp.

Look at Rotate Y attribute in the uploaded video.

I can't rotate on it in Persp, and I want to keep this behavior in Ortho mode.

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

Thanks for uploading the video!

I see the issue now, when you're rotating 360 in persp view the rotate Y isn't updating which is odd because it should be updating.

On my machine it updates as expected and when I turn on ortho the Y value is locked and can't be rotated.

Again, this leads me to ask if you tried deleting your settings/preferences?

I know I asked in my previous posts but you didn't clarify on whether or not you have tried this.

Also, you may want to check your GPU driver and make sure the driver matches up with our certified hardware list so it isn't causing any viewport issues.

You can find our certified hardware list here!

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @Br0ken1334

I did some more testing and now it's not working as it did in my first post but I think I know the issue.

You actually want to disable the rotate X not Y to stop the camera from rotating that way.

If you go to your camera attributes and right click on the Rotate X and select Lock Channel you will be able to rotate to the left and right but not up or down.

Please let me know if this works for you!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Br0ken1334

I'm just checking in again to see if you need more help with this. Did the suggestion I provided yesterday work for you?

If so, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.