Battle viewer control request

from GalCiv3 Forums

When viewing battles in free view, I'm under the impression that we have full 360 degree freedom to look at whatever. We can also move around the map, view from above and below etc. However, when zooming, there is a limit: there is a 'max zoom' level, which feels rather weird.

 

If I want a close look at my ships, and I'm looking from the side, the camera will at a seemingly arbitrary point decide it has zoomed in to its maximum. I then have to angle the camera downward before clicking and dragging to move the camera (if you don't look down, the slope of the 'floor' you're dragging along will often cause you to rapidly shoot off miles away with the camera).

 

What I would like to request is a change in function of the mousewheel 'zoom' functionality: instead of having an 'zoomed in' and 'zoomed out' state let the mousewheel move the camera forward and backward along the direction of viewing. Don't stop it at a predetermine distance, just move the camera that distance forward.

13,244 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I'd like to be able to left click on a ship, then right click on the place I want it to go or target I'd like it to attack. That's all the "Controllable Battles" we need really.

Also yes your combat cam request is very good. I've ran into the exact problem you've mentioned using the free cam, which is the only cam worth using for me really. The other cam options are ok, but I always prefer the views I use myself over what the cam decides to look at. A "chase cam" would be nice too.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I use the free cam but I pause before battle and use cinematic to 'center' the free cam on the ships. The controls are wonky but are much better then they were before. I am pretty sure we will never be able to control the ships as that would be leading down the 'tactical' control inside the viewer. 

 

I would like to 'pick' a ship in the viewer and have my camera center on it and manipulate how I see around it while using the mouse wheel to speed up or slow down the action as I follow my ship. This would lead to some cool screenshots I think. 

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Larsenex, reply 2

I use the free cam but I pause before battle and use cinematic to 'center' the free cam on the ships. The controls are wonky but are much better then they were before. I am pretty sure we will never be able to control the ships as that would be leading down the 'tactical' control inside the viewer. 

I would like to 'pick' a ship in the viewer and have my camera center on it and manipulate how I see around it while using the mouse wheel to speed up or slow down the action as I follow my ship. This would lead to some cool screenshots I think. 


Indeed that would make for some awesome shots. When thinking more on tactical control I never thought it should have been complicated with weapon arcs and all that. All that is handled in the strategy of building ships with the right techs/weapons, just movement would have been good enough. You're right though that probably won't happen. Some tighter camera controls would be cool however. Having the cam center on the ship you click on, or maybe double click on, would be great.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

What would also be neat is if we can select a ship in combat and have the camera angle pan around that one ship.  Then zoom in or out from there.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Yeah, some good ideas!

I'm interested to see what this new itteration of the Cinematic camera mode will be like too :)

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Combat can camera views like dragon age inquisition. Boom. All problems of the rts and tbs combat controvercity would be solved and so would the camera trouble.

(Or program a camera lock on firing ships so the camera follows the ship and hopefully the direction it's firing as well.)

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I would like the original camera views we had in Beta and 1.0 eg orbiting,from behind,side in front of the action I was really peed off when it was limited to just TD/Cini and Free Cam