[Request] Distance from camera to object.

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 02:23

Ok, I just read through 32 pages of search results and I don't see what I need so I guess this is a request:

I would like a tool that allows the user to get feedback (a "heads-up" display like this plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=232984#p232984 would be extra cool) as to the distance from the current camera location to any selected object... Ideally I need to get the distance to set up near and far planes for Z-Clip and Z-Buffer.

Best,
Jason.

mitcorb · 9 Feb 2011, 03:37

I thought either Jim Foltz or TIG had done something along these lines?

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 03:57

That would be cool -- I'll keep looking.

Best,
Jason.

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 04:05

I checked TIG's plugins and I don't see anything there -- I'll checks Jim's in a bit.

Best,
Jason.

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 04:32

Nope, I don't see anything By Jim either... I think I must have stumbled upon a true request.

Best,
Jason.

honoluludesktop · 9 Feb 2011, 05:00

This is not difficult to calculate as long as you know the angle of view, and its corresponding dimension of the object. Problem is knowing the dimension of the object you wish to measure the distance to.

honoluludesktop · 9 Feb 2011, 05:20

Perhaps the height and width of the object can be approximated by its nominal bounding box, then along with the fov, the distance to that object calculated. Problem with this is if the bonding box is at a angle to the camera. Maybe someone can come up with a more workable method.

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 16:30

Thanks for the response -- Alternately some sort of near and far plane preview mode where the planes are adjustable would work if that was easier than trying to do it the other way... I'm all about making it as easy as possible

Best,
Jason.

jason_maranto · 9 Feb 2011, 17:31

Cool, Thank-you Didier

Best,
Jason.

Didier Bur · 9 Feb 2011, 19:12

Hi,
This is a (very) rough rework of Thomthom's view direction.
It display the camera position (in.), the target location (in.) and the distance between the two, via a raycast.
Targeted object is temporarily selected.
Hope this is useful,

Drop it in the Plugins folder, usage: View menu > Camera->Oject Distance

hud_dist2obj.zip

jason_maranto · 11 Feb 2011, 16:39

Hey I didn't see you edit this to include the plugin -- very cool! Thank-you

Best,
Jason.