Positioning the Camera in Blender the Pro Way

In this quick tip, I'd like to explain a little Blender feature that apparently is not widely used. I find it incredibly powerful, to the extent that I think it should be the default behavior.

Oftentimes, while watching other people's workflow in Blender, I get the impression that the most common way to frame a shot is by going into Camera view, selecting the camera itself, pressing G or R, plus a specific key for each axis (X, Y, Z) in order to move or rotate the camera itself. Alternatively, one can press Shift-F to go into Fly Navigation mode. However, I really never liked Fly Navigation mode. I find it hard to control. Neither of these methods is, in my opinion, great.

There is a third way that lets you fine tune the position of the camera intuitively—without leaving Camera view. In order to access this option, you need to press N with the pointer in the 3D View to access the Properties side panel. Then, under the View tab, click on the Lock Camera to View option to activate it.

Click on Lock to Camera View to activate this option.

Once you select that option, make sure you're in Camera view. You'll notice that the camera limits become red, indicating that your camera is ‘locked to the view’. Go ahead and use the navigational shortcuts you would use in any other view mode (defined on the Input panel in the Blender Preferences dialog) to move around in Camera mode and frame the shot precisely. You can now zoom, orbit, and pan the same way you‘d do in other views, and the camera adjusts accordingly. Cool stuff.

The camera limits display a red outline. Actually, you don't even have to select
the camera in order for this to work.

Note: Once you're happy with the framing, you could deselect the Lock Camera to View option so that you don't change the shot composition accidentally.

Dissolving Logo from a tutorial by Blender Diplom

I just found this really great tutorial on Blender Diplom that explains how to create a dissolving logo effect. It's one of the best Blender tutorials I've read so far. It kind or reminds me of some of the effects used in the Harry Potter movies. It's a bit strange-looking, but hey, I am not complaining :)

To go to the Blender Diplom tutorial, click here.

I wonder if I should incorporate this animation into the header of my blog... What do you think?