What Is Cartesian Control?¶
▶ What Is Cartesian Control? — Watch on YouTube
Are you ready to step up your Are you ready to step up your programming game? Let's dive in. Hey everyone, and welcome back to MRMC Hey everyone, and welcome back to MRMC Academy. Today, I'm going to show you Academy. Today, I'm going to show you Academy. Today, I'm going to show you how quick and easy it is to program with how quick and easy it is to program with how quick and easy it is to program with Flair by using something called Flair by using something called Flair by using something called Cartesian control modes. Don't let the Cartesian control modes. Don't let the Cartesian control modes. Don't let the word Cartesian scare you though, we're word Cartesian scare you though, we're word Cartesian scare you though, we're not doing any math, I promise. But not doing any math, I promise. But not doing any math, I promise. But believe me when I say that understanding believe me when I say that understanding believe me when I say that understanding these modes can significantly increase these modes can significantly increase these modes can significantly increase how fast you're able to program moves or how fast you're able to program moves or how fast you're able to program moves or how precise you can be in getting the how precise you can be in getting the how precise you can be in getting the camera where you want it to be. Before camera where you want it to be. Before camera where you want it to be. Before we get into each mode, I want you to we get into each mode, I want you to we get into each mode, I want you to remember that Flair is ultimately an remember that Flair is ultimately an remember that Flair is ultimately an animation software. And in these animation software. And in these animation software. And in these examples, I'll be using it to animate a examples, I'll be using it to animate a examples, I'll be using it to animate a camera and a target in 3D space. The camera and a target in 3D space. The camera and a target in 3D space. The camera will act as the controller that camera will act as the controller that camera will act as the controller that tells the robot where it needs to be. tells the robot where it needs to be. tells the robot where it needs to be. And when we use target tracking modes, And when we use target tracking modes, And when we use target tracking modes, the camera will always be looking at the the camera will always be looking at the the camera will always be looking at the target. There are a total of nine target. There are a total of nine target. There are a total of nine Cartesian control modes, and we can use Cartesian control modes, and we can use Cartesian control modes, and we can use them to pilot the camera in an intuitive them to pilot the camera in an intuitive them to pilot the camera in an intuitive and precise way. and precise way. and precise way. They can be split into two categories, They can be split into two categories, They can be split into two categories, carts and locked. All of the locked carts and locked. All of the locked carts and locked. All of the locked modes will move the camera and the modes will move the camera and the modes will move the camera and the target together without changing the target together without changing the target together without changing the distance between them. distance between them. distance between them. This is easy to remember because they're This is easy to remember because they're This is easy to remember because they're locked to each other. All of the carts locked to each other. All of the carts locked to each other. All of the carts modes will allow you to move the camera modes will allow you to move the camera modes will allow you to move the camera or the target independently. These modes or the target independently. These modes or the target independently. These modes will change how the camera moves through will change how the camera moves through will change how the camera moves through the scene while we're piloting it, and the scene while we're piloting it, and the scene while we're piloting it, and it will be much easier to show you it will be much easier to show you it will be much easier to show you rather than tell you. Let's start with rather than tell you. Let's start with rather than tell you. Let's start with carts world and locked world. World carts world and locked world. World carts world and locked world. World tells us that the coordinates will be tells us that the coordinates will be tells us that the coordinates will be global. Our global coordinates will global. Our global coordinates will global. Our global coordinates will always align with the track axis. We can always align with the track axis. We can always align with the track axis. We can use this to our advantage by placing the use this to our advantage by placing the use this to our advantage by placing the track in a strategic position in track in a strategic position in track in a strategic position in relation to our set so that we can relation to our set so that we can relation to our set so that we can always follow a certain path no matter always follow a certain path no matter always follow a certain path no matter which direction the camera is facing. In which direction the camera is facing. In which direction the camera is facing. In this next example, you'll see that the this next example, you'll see that the this next example, you'll see that the cursor is hovered over the X camera cursor is hovered over the X camera cursor is hovered over the X camera Cartesian axis. I'm in Cartesian world, Cartesian axis. I'm in Cartesian world, Cartesian axis. I'm in Cartesian world, and I'm right clicking the X camera and I'm right clicking the X camera and I'm right clicking the X camera axis. That means that the camera is axis. That means that the camera is axis. That means that the camera is going to follow the global X axis in the going to follow the global X axis in the going to follow the global X axis in the negative direction while the target negative direction while the target negative direction while the target stays put, meaning that the focus will stays put, meaning that the focus will stays put, meaning that the focus will also stay on the target. And here you also stay on the target. And here you also stay on the target. And here you can see that I'm right clicking the Z can see that I'm right clicking the Z can see that I'm right clicking the Z camera axis while in locked world, camera axis while in locked world, camera axis while in locked world, meaning that the camera and the target meaning that the camera and the target meaning that the camera and the target are going to follow the world Z axis in are going to follow the world Z axis in are going to follow the world Z axis in the negative direction. Because carts the negative direction. Because carts the negative direction. Because carts world and locked world follow world world and locked world follow world world and locked world follow world coordinates, this means that we always coordinates, this means that we always coordinates, this means that we always have a perfectly vertical path in our have a perfectly vertical path in our have a perfectly vertical path in our back pocket by switching to one of these back pocket by switching to one of these back pocket by switching to one of these modes. Here you can see I'm in carts modes. Here you can see I'm in carts modes. Here you can see I'm in carts world and I'm lifting the camera along world and I'm lifting the camera along world and I'm lifting the camera along the world Z axis, meaning that the the world Z axis, meaning that the the world Z axis, meaning that the target stays put on the table, but the target stays put on the table, but the target stays put on the table, but the camera actually changes its distance camera actually changes its distance camera actually changes its distance from the target following that perfectly from the target following that perfectly from the target following that perfectly vertical axis. And in this example, I'm vertical axis. And in this example, I'm vertical axis. And in this example, I'm actually moving the target along the actually moving the target along the actually moving the target along the world Z axis. I'm not just tilting the world Z axis. I'm not just tilting the world Z axis. I'm not just tilting the camera, I'm actually lifting the target camera, I'm actually lifting the target camera, I'm actually lifting the target in world Z space. in world Z space. in world Z space. Carts world and locked world are the Carts world and locked world are the Carts world and locked world are the only ones with global coordinates. All only ones with global coordinates. All only ones with global coordinates. All others are local to the camera. Next are others are local to the camera. Next are others are local to the camera. Next are carts view and locked view, which are my carts view and locked view, which are my carts view and locked view, which are my go-to control modes. These modes allow go-to control modes. These modes allow go-to control modes. These modes allow us to push in, pull out, dolly left or us to push in, pull out, dolly left or us to push in, pull out, dolly left or right, or lift up and down in whatever right, or lift up and down in whatever right, or lift up and down in whatever direction the camera is currently direction the camera is currently direction the camera is currently facing. Carts view is the secret sauce facing. Carts view is the secret sauce facing. Carts view is the secret sauce that allows us to move in a nice arc that allows us to move in a nice arc that allows us to move in a nice arc around our target while maintaining the around our target while maintaining the around our target while maintaining the distance between the camera and the distance between the camera and the distance between the camera and the target. So, as you can see here, I'm target. So, as you can see here, I'm target. So, as you can see here, I'm moving the camera along the Y axis, moving the camera along the Y axis, moving the camera along the Y axis, which is just going to make it draw a which is just going to make it draw a which is just going to make it draw a nice arc around our target maintaining nice arc around our target maintaining nice arc around our target maintaining the distance. We can do the same on the the distance. We can do the same on the the distance. We can do the same on the Z axis. So, as you can see, I am lifting Z axis. So, as you can see, I am lifting Z axis. So, as you can see, I am lifting the camera up along the Z axis and it's the camera up along the Z axis and it's the camera up along the Z axis and it's maintaining its distance drawing a nice maintaining its distance drawing a nice maintaining its distance drawing a nice arc. arc. arc. Locked view also allows us to create Locked view also allows us to create Locked view also allows us to create dolly or slider movements by moving both dolly or slider movements by moving both dolly or slider movements by moving both the camera and the target at the same the camera and the target at the same the camera and the target at the same time. Here you can see I'm moving them time. Here you can see I'm moving them time. Here you can see I'm moving them both along the Y axis, which is relative both along the Y axis, which is relative both along the Y axis, which is relative to the camera giving us a nice slider to the camera giving us a nice slider to the camera giving us a nice slider motion. And here I'm moving them along motion. And here I'm moving them along motion. And here I'm moving them along the X axis, again relative to the the X axis, again relative to the the X axis, again relative to the camera, which allows our subject to come camera, which allows our subject to come camera, which allows our subject to come into focus. Carts roll, locked roll, into focus. Carts roll, locked roll, into focus. Carts roll, locked roll, carts up, and locked up are designed to carts up, and locked up are designed to carts up, and locked up are designed to be used with their respective roll be used with their respective roll be used with their respective roll control modes. Those roll modes are roll control modes. Those roll modes are roll control modes. Those roll modes are roll relative and roll up. Mixing them may relative and roll up. Mixing them may relative and roll up. Mixing them may result in some odd behavior. We will get result in some odd behavior. We will get result in some odd behavior. We will get into roll modes in another video, but into roll modes in another video, but into roll modes in another video, but for now, let's just focus on carts roll for now, let's just focus on carts roll for now, let's just focus on carts roll and locked roll. We can use carts roll and locked roll. We can use carts roll and locked roll. We can use carts roll or locked roll to move in a way that or locked roll to move in a way that or locked roll to move in a way that respects the roll angle of the camera respects the roll angle of the camera respects the roll angle of the camera when in roll relative. So, here I'm in when in roll relative. So, here I'm in when in roll relative. So, here I'm in carts roll, the camera's rolled, and I'm carts roll, the camera's rolled, and I'm carts roll, the camera's rolled, and I'm moving it along the Y axis, so it's moving it along the Y axis, so it's moving it along the Y axis, so it's following the roll angle of the camera. following the roll angle of the camera. following the roll angle of the camera. When I switch into carts view, you'll When I switch into carts view, you'll When I switch into carts view, you'll see that this is no longer the case. The see that this is no longer the case. The see that this is no longer the case. The camera's rolled, I'm moving the camera camera's rolled, I'm moving the camera camera's rolled, I'm moving the camera along the Y axis, but it's not following along the Y axis, but it's not following along the Y axis, but it's not following the roll angle. It's actually the roll angle. It's actually the roll angle. It's actually maintaining its height. So, that's maintaining its height. So, that's maintaining its height. So, that's something to keep in mind. Whenever something to keep in mind. Whenever something to keep in mind. Whenever you're in carts roll, the height of your you're in carts roll, the height of your you're in carts roll, the height of your camera will change because it's camera will change because it's camera will change because it's following the roll angle of the camera. following the roll angle of the camera. following the roll angle of the camera. Whereas in carts view, it will maintain Whereas in carts view, it will maintain Whereas in carts view, it will maintain the height. Locked roll means that we're the height. Locked roll means that we're the height. Locked roll means that we're going to move the camera and the target, going to move the camera and the target, going to move the camera and the target, and we're going to trace along the roll and we're going to trace along the roll and we're going to trace along the roll angle of the camera. If we switch to angle of the camera. If we switch to angle of the camera. If we switch to locked view, you'll see that it no locked view, you'll see that it no locked view, you'll see that it no longer follows the roll angle of the longer follows the roll angle of the longer follows the roll angle of the camera, and it maintains its height camera, and it maintains its height camera, and it maintains its height throughout. throughout. throughout. Carts up and roll up are a bit more Carts up and roll up are a bit more Carts up and roll up are a bit more niche, and I haven't needed to use them niche, and I haven't needed to use them niche, and I haven't needed to use them on any shoots yet, so I'd personally on any shoots yet, so I'd personally on any shoots yet, so I'd personally recommend just focusing on the other recommend just focusing on the other recommend just focusing on the other modes. Last but certainly not least is modes. Last but certainly not least is modes. Last but certainly not least is locked flat. With locked flat, as you locked flat. With locked flat, as you locked flat. With locked flat, as you push in or pull out, you'll notice that push in or pull out, you'll notice that push in or pull out, you'll notice that the camera will always remain at the the camera will always remain at the the camera will always remain at the same height, even if it's tilted. This same height, even if it's tilted. This same height, even if it's tilted. This is especially handy if you're looking is especially handy if you're looking is especially handy if you're looking down at a tabletop set, and you want to down at a tabletop set, and you want to down at a tabletop set, and you want to program a slider movement without program a slider movement without program a slider movement without crashing into the table. My personal crashing into the table. My personal crashing into the table. My personal favorite workflow is to combine push favorite workflow is to combine push favorite workflow is to combine push moco with my go-to Cartesian control moco with my go-to Cartesian control moco with my go-to Cartesian control modes. So, I'll use push moco to put the modes. So, I'll use push moco to put the modes. So, I'll use push moco to put the robot into the first position, and then robot into the first position, and then robot into the first position, and then I can use my different Cartesian control I can use my different Cartesian control I can use my different Cartesian control modes to pilot the camera with precision modes to pilot the camera with precision modes to pilot the camera with precision to find the rest of the move. I found to find the rest of the move. I found to find the rest of the move. I found this to be the most efficient workflow this to be the most efficient workflow this to be the most efficient workflow while still maintaining an extreme level while still maintaining an extreme level while still maintaining an extreme level of control and precision. All of these of control and precision. All of these of control and precision. All of these different control modes have some different control modes have some different control modes have some incredible use cases, and I'd highly incredible use cases, and I'd highly incredible use cases, and I'd highly encourage you to experiment with them so encourage you to experiment with them so encourage you to experiment with them so that you can understand their nuances that you can understand their nuances that you can understand their nuances for yourself. for yourself. for yourself. At the end of the day, Flair doesn't At the end of the day, Flair doesn't At the end of the day, Flair doesn't really care how you pilot the camera, it really care how you pilot the camera, it really care how you pilot the camera, it will run the move just the same. But in will run the move just the same. But in will run the move just the same. But in this world, time is money, and the more this world, time is money, and the more this world, time is money, and the more efficient you can be, the more likely efficient you can be, the more likely efficient you can be, the more likely you'll get hired back. So, take your you'll get hired back. So, take your you'll get hired back. So, take your time while you're learning these and time while you're learning these and time while you're learning these and make sure that you fully understand make sure that you fully understand make sure that you fully understand these different control modes so that we these different control modes so that we these different control modes so that we can show the world that working with can show the world that working with can show the world that working with robots doesn't have to be slow. All robots doesn't have to be slow. All robots doesn't have to be slow. All right, that's going to do it for this right, that's going to do it for this right, that's going to do it for this one, guys. If you've got any questions one, guys. If you've got any questions one, guys. If you've got any questions or any ideas on what you want to see or any ideas on what you want to see or any ideas on what you want to see next, leave them down in the comments next, leave them down in the comments next, leave them down in the comments below or reach out to me on Instagram. below or reach out to me on Instagram. below or reach out to me on Instagram. And as always, I'll see you in the next And as always, I'll see you in the next And as always, I'll see you in the next one. Peace.