Camera PropertyManager

The Camera PropertyManager controls the properties of the selected camera.

You can drag the camera, target, and field of view in the graphics area when the PropertyManager is open.

To display this PropertyManager:

  1. Open the DisplayManager and click View Scene, Lights, and Cameras .
  2. Right-click Camera and click Add Camera.

Camera Type

Aimed at target Maintains the line of sight to the target point when you drag the camera or specify other properties.
Floating Moves the camera anywhere. The camera is not locked onto the target point.
Show numeric controls Shows the numeric fields for the camera and target position. When cleared, you can select the positions by clicking in the graphics area.
Align triad with camera Aligns the triad with the camera orientation. When cleared, the triad aligns with the global coordinate system.

Available when you select Floating.
Lock camera position except when editing Disables the View commands in camera views except while editing camera views.

Target Point

Available when you select Aimed at target.

  Target by selection Specifies the target point. You can click a point, edge, or face on the model in the graphics area.
To drag the target point after you choose a target point by selection, press Ctrl and drag. Target by selection is cleared and the selection is disabled, but the reference is maintained. If you select Target by selection again, the target point returns to the selection.

Percent distance along edge/line/curve

Specifies the target point distance along the entity.
Target X

Specifies the X-axis location relative to the model origin.

Available when you select Show numeric controls and clear Target by Selection.
Target Y

Specifies the Y-axis location relative to the model origin.

Available when you select Show numeric controls and clear Target by Selection.
Target Z

Specifies the Z-axis location relative to the model origin.

Available when you select Show numeric controls and clear Target by Selection.

Camera Position

Position by selection Specifies the position of the camera based on a selection. The camera can be anywhere in space. You can attach the camera to an entity on a component or in a sketch, including in an internal space in a model.
To drag the camera point when you have chosen the position by selection, press Ctrl and drag. Position by selection is cleared and the selection is disabled, but the reference is maintained. If you select Position by selection again, the camera position returns to the selection.

Percent distance along edge/line/curve

Specifies the target point distance along the entity.
Spherical Specifies the camera position numerically by setting values relative to the target, based on a sphere around the Z-axis with the zero point at the target.

Available when you clear Position by selection.

Distance from target

Longitude about target

Available when you select Show numeric controls.

Latitude about target

Available when you select Show numeric controls.
Cartesian Specifies the camera position numerically by setting values relative to the model origin.

Available when you clear Position by selection.

Camera X

Moves the camera along the X-axis.

Available when you select Show numeric controls.

Camera Y

Moves the camera along the Y-axis.

Available when you select Show numeric controls.

Camera Z

Moves the camera along the Z-axis.

Available when you select Show numeric controls.

Camera Rotation

Defines the camera orientation and direction.

  Set roll by selection Defines the up direction for the camera. When you select a face or plane, a line normal to the plane defines the up direction.

Available when you select Aimed at target.
  Flip direction Flips the camera 180°.

Available when you specify the up direction for Set roll by selection.

Yaw (side-to-side) Moves the camera angle side-to-side.

Available when you select Floating.
Pitch (up-down) Moves the camera angle up or down.

Available when you select Floating.
Roll (twist) Moves the camera roll angle.

Available when you select Aimed at target or Floating, and you clear Set roll by selection.

Field of View

Field of view specifies the size of the lens.

Perspective Adds perspective to the camera view.
  Standard lens presets Specifies a lens. If you select Custom Angle, specify the angle in View Angle.
View angle Specifies the view angle. The height of the view rectangle adjusts with changes in the view angle.
Height of view rectangle Specifies the height of the view rectangle. The view angle adjusts with changes in the height.
Distance to view rectangle Specifies the distance to the view rectangle. The view angle adjusts with changes in the distance.
  Aspect ratio (width : height) Specifies an aspect ratio. These formats are equivalent: 1.33, 4 : 3, 4 / 3, and 4 x 3.

The camera view in the right viewport shows the shape and area of the model that is visible to the camera.

  Drag Aspect Ratio Changes the aspect ratio when you drag the field of view rectangle in the graphics area. When cleared, dragging changes the scale only.

Depth of Field

Available when you enable PhotoView 360. PhotoView 360 is available with SOLIDWORKS Professional and SOLIDWORKS Premium. To enable PhotoView 360, click the SOLIDWORKS Add-ins tab in the CommandManager and click PhotoView 360.

Depth of Field Specifies the region in which the objects are in focus. Planes appear in the graphics area to indicate the focus plane and the loss of focus planes.

The loss of focus planes appear on each side of the focus plane to show the approximate loss of focus. The parts of the model intersecting the focus plane are in focus.

  Focus by selection Specifies the distance to the focus plane when you click in the graphics area. You can adjust the distance from the focus plane to the loss of focus plane.
Distance to plane of exact focus Specifies the distance to the focus plane.

Available when you clear Focus by selection.
Approximate distance from focus plane to loss of focus Specifies the distance from the focus plane to the loss of focus planes.

The loss of focus planes are not equidistant from the focus plane because fewer pixels display an object at a greater distance than when the object is closer to the camera. Setting the loss of focus distance is not precise, but specifying a distance allows repeating results.