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Back to Studio Control Panel
Introduction
In this document, we discuss the function and setup procedure of the Scene control panel.
Scene Control Panel
The Scene control panel allows you to move (place, rotate) the virtual scene relative to the tracking device's coordinate system.
It also allows the controlling of the tracked camera video input's appearance in the virtual scene.
You can find the Scene control panel on the INPUTS control board.
After selecting it you can find its adjustable parameters on the right side of the screen, on the Pin Values tab.
Parameters
Base Cam Transformation
The Base Cam Transformation parameters allow for moving the virtual scene relative to the tracking device's coordinate system.
If the tracked camera and the talent are on the same floor level (height) both in the physical studio and in the virtual environment, then do not adjust the Y parameter (which is the second box of the Pos row). Otherwise, it is suggested to use the CTRL + SHIFT key while editing the Y value for fine adjustments.
The Base Cam Transformation parameters are as follows:
Pos - Position, in order of appearance these are the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the virtual scene. These parameters use meters for measurement.
Rot - Rotation, in order of appearance these are the rX, rY, and rZ coordinates of the virtual scene. These parameters use the degree for the measure.
NOTE: You can learn more about Camera and Head Transformations here.
Scene Scale
Adjusts the scale (size) of the virtual scene. Use only if necessary.
In an ideal situation where the proportions of the virtual scene are correct, you do not have to adjust this parameter. If you find that the proportions of the virtual scene are not correct and you still have time to make adjustments to the scene before the show, then we recommend contacting the graphics artists to make the necessary adjustments.
Lens Distortion
Distorts the virtual scene to match the optical distortion of the physical camera lens. It works only if the tracking data either contains lens distortion data or if you are using an Aximmerty calibration profile containing lens calibration data.
You can learn more about Lens Calibration here: Camera Calibrator
Edge Expand
Expands the edge of the virtual scene. When using Lens Distortion, the virtual scene's image can get distorted in a way that its image does not fill the frame. This can be seen as a black frame surrounding our video output. To get rid of this black frame, carefully increase the value of the Edge Expand parameter. Please note that in most cases this will require only a minor adjustment.
Lens Distortion turned On, Edge Expand set to 0:
Lens Distortion turned On, Edge Expand value increased to compensate for the effect of Lens Distortion:
Use Billboards
Turning on the Use Billboards parameter allows the Tracked Camera's video input to interact with the virtual scene. By default, the video input of the Tracked Camera is just an overlay on the virtual scene. The use of Billboard allows the video input to become a virtual model of the virtual scene, enabling it to have basic interactions with the scene such as occlusion, reflections, and the casting of virtual shadows.
In the case of Unreal camera compounds, Use Billboards also enables the use of virtual camera movements together with tracked camera movements.
More on setting up Tracked Camera Billboards: Tracked Camera Billboards: Placement
Allow Virtuals
Turning on Allow Virtuals enables the Billboard to have advanced interactions with the virtual scene, such as receiving virtual shadows and lights. It also enables the use of virtual camera movements together with tracked camera movements.
Please note that Allow Virtuals works only if the Use Billboard is turned On.
More on setting up Tracked Camera Billboards here: Tracked Camera Billboards: Placement
Use Billboards & Allow Virtuals
Aximmetry DE supports 3 methods for compositing the camera image with the virtual set.
The compositing method can be selected by setting the Use Billboards and Allow Virtuals switches.
Use Billboards: OFF, Allow Virtuals: Not Used
Aximmetry renders the image of the talent on top of the Unreal scene. This method is very easy to set up and has the smallest performance requirements, however, it doesn’t support virtual objects occluding the talent or rendering shadows and reflections of the talent in the Unreal scene.
Use Billboards: ON, Allow Virtuals: OFF
Aximmetry renders the image of the talent on top of the Unreal scene. Virtual objects can occlude the talent, reflections, and shadows are supported. The camera image is accurately reproduced without adding noise or distortions.
Use Billboards: ON, Allow Virtuals: ON
Compositing is done entirely in Unreal. Virtual objects can occlude the talent, reflections, and shadows are supported. With this method, the talent can be lit by the lights in the Unreal scene. Virtual camera movement is also supported. The quality of the talent’s image may be slightly degraded.
Detwitter
Turning on the Detwitter applies a soft vertical blur on interlaced video in order to get rid of twittering. Only works if the video output is interlaced.
Sharpen
Increasing its value sharpens the image of the virtual scene. Use it carefully, as oversharpening the scene can make it look less realistic.
