Votes
18
Product:
iClone 6
Version:
6.42
Status:
Active
Issue 301
Multiple viewports to aid in positioning items - 3 orthographic, 1 free-form
When trying to position props, such as placing a teacup on a table or putting an object in an avatar's hand, I need to reorient my view multiple times. I need to view it from the front, top, and side because viewing from one angle does not tell you the whole story.

It would be SO helpful if I could have FOUR VIEWPORTS open at one time. The first three would be on either local or global axis, X/Y/Z and the fourth would be at a more "scene-oriented" position that I chose.

Then when I move the prop, I could see clearly what direction(s) I need to move it to achieve the desired position.

It would be best if the gizmo was active in all four views, for greatest convenience, but if you need to pick only one, then the "freeform" view would be the one.

Although my title specifies "orthographic" views, the viewports don't have to be restricted to those views, but I wanted to convey the main purpose behind my request.

In actual implementation, the three "orthographic" views can't be fully locked, because we might need to zoom or pan, or "EASILY" switch 180 degrees (font/back, left/right, above/below). A "flip direction" for that would be cool, where the camera moves 180 degrees to look from the other direction, but still "at" the selected object.

A GREAT DEFAULT "positioning layout" would be for three of the windows "looking at" the selected object along the three global axis.

Lastly, it would be nice to turn easily perspective on/off for this sort of work, but that's not critical.

SEE ATTACHED PICTURE:
In the top-right view, the small box appears correctly placed, but the other three views clearly reveal a problem.
OS: Windows 7
Attachment:
  • Viewport - Multi - Annotated.jpg
  •  9
  •  6154
Submitted byjustaviking
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COMMENTS (9)
Palmamultimedia
Give me anything instead of what we have now. A bigger size at least!! I've been working on three monitors for decades and still the 'mini' [well named] viewport is like a postage stamp.
After all of the great updates over the years surely this must have been over looked.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do something!!!!!
0oseven
Very Much hoping Reallusion will bring this to Iclone Version 8 . ALL 3D applications I am aware of have this feature - presumably for a reason ! Its necessary.
Whilst this request specifically asks for ortho views [ which IC has using shortcut keys  I   believe what is need is  well demonstrated with Daz Carrara ibterface -{the one I'm most familiar with ]

Its features are  Icons  representing the layout [ 1/2/3 or4 panes } click on any one and workspace adjusted accordingly.Very quick - no mind gymnastics trying to remember shortcuts,

Second - each pane  has a drop down menu showing available cameras that can be chosen to set the view as required.

Clicking in any of the panes makes it "active" meaning  all tools  can be used and the changes are updated in the other panes realtime.. 


Since joining Iclone  The interface has been my main frustration.  
.
Attachment:
  • Carrara Interface 3.jpg
trianimate
Would be great to see this feature in the next version of iClone 7.x.
It would really help to reduce time and frustration trying to get things aligned.

Using iclone 7.4x with Win 10 Pro
justaviking
@Sean,

Thank you for your comment, but I fear you may have misunderstood my intent.

To experience what I'm talking about, add a block and move it to a random location in your scene.  Then rotate your camera to view from a different angle.  Now add a sphere and place it on top of the block.  Does it look correct from all angles?  (For bonus points, do this with the grid turned off... Ctrl-G).

This has nothing to do with the camera angle used for the output video, and it would not be the normal screen layout.  Think of it as an extension to how you can enable the mini-viewport to display two different views at the same time.  It would be nice to be able to have more for the purpose of positioning items in the scene.  Things might look correct from one angle (as seen in my top-right quadrant), but then if you move the camera you'll see things are not where they appeared to be.

I find the simple act of placing an object on a table requires numerous viewpoint changes to ensure the object is at the correct position in the X, Y, and Z directions.  The four images I composited demonstrate how from one angle something appears to be in a particular location, but it may actually be too high, too far front, and/or too far to the right.

If you don't move the camera, it might not matter (unless you have shadows on or your lights in line with the camera angle), but as soon as you "swoop and curl" in you'll discover the table settings are not where you thought they were.

Once the item is placed, I'd toggle back to the normal single-camera viewport.

I appreciate your comment.  It was indeed very respectfully stated.  I hope this reply also comes across with equal civility, as intended.
SeanMac
With all due respect, I don't agree. This idea makes everything akin to technical drawing rather than movie making. What we need to be looking for is the most appropriate shot for this moment in the story we are telling.  We need to swoop and curl around to see how the shot might fit in to what went before and what comes after in the storyline.
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