[Guide] Basic "Gimballing" in Source Filmmaker

In this guide I will show you the basics of how to "gimbal rig" a camera in SFM and then use it in various ways.

I can't take credit for this entirely, I had a lot of help from the SFM community at large, a big thanks to you guys (you know who you are..), but in particular, I'd like to thank Zappy of the SFM community for coming up with the steps to make this work.
There are a lot of tutorials around that show you how to "lock" a camera to a model, then move the model while the camera tracks it. The only problem with this technique is that it makes your camera immobile, you can't move the camera once you've set it up to do this. This is good and all, but what if you want the model to stay put and move the camera around or past it while staying focused on the model?
I will attempt to show you how you can do both, with the same camera!
Unlike the techniques in those videos that render the camera immobile, this technique will allow you to move the camera as well as the model, if you choose to do such a thing.
I'm no expert at this, but I think I have the basics down enough that I can show you how to do a basic set up with this. It will be enough to get you started, the rest is up to you.

Introduction

This guide will be in two parts:

Part one will be a textual explanation of this technique.
Part two will be a video explanation of this technique.

What is "gimballing"? Think Steadicam...

This little exerpt from Wikipedia[en.wikipedia.org] describes it pretty well:

Oprindeligt skrevet af Wikipedia:

Film and Video
-------------------
Handheld 3-axis gimbals are used in stabilization systems designed to give the
camera operator the independence of handheld shooting without camera vibration
or shake. Powered by three brushless motors, the gimbals have the ability to
keep the camera level on all axes as the camera operator moves the camera. An
inertial measurement unit (IMU) responds to movement and utilizes its three
separate motors to stabilize the camera.
With the guidance of algorithms, the stabilizer is able to notice the
difference between deliberate movement such as pans and tracking shots from
unwanted shake. This allows the camera to seem as if it is floating through
the air, an effect achieved by a Steadicam in the past. Not limited to
handheld shooting, gimbals can be mounted to cars and other vehicles such as
drones, where vibrations or other unexpected movements would make tripods or
other camera mounts unacceptable.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbal

Part One: Textual Guide to "Gimballing". Click images to expand...

Create a new camera and create an animation set for it.
Expand the camera > all > transform, select "rot", and apply the Zero preset.












Create animation set for new model. Search 'axis' in the model browser.













Spawn in "editor\axis_helper.mdl". It should now be in the exact middle of the screen.












Select axis_helper > Unknown > polySurface, then Ctrl-click camera > all > transform, right-click one of them, doesn't matter which one, and choose DAG Utilities > constraint_aim.











It's VERY important you select axis_helper > polySurface bone BEFORE the camera's transform bone.



The camera will now forever look at the axis_helper, even if you click the eye beside the axis_helper to make it invisible, the camera will still follow it. This has the advantage of allowing you to move the camera, the model, or both.

If you want to simulate motion by moving the camera, not the model, simply place the axis_helper on the model where you want the camera to focus and then move your camera in what ever direction suits you to obtain the desired shot. Don't forget to either hide the axis_helper inside the model or click the eye beside it and make it invisible.
It's important to remember that the axis_helper IS A MODEL, if you do not completely hide it or make it invisible, IT WILL SHOW UP IN YOUR VIDEO!

If you want to track a moving model and have the camera stay where you placed it, simply lock the axis_helper to the part of the model you want the camera to focus on, perform the animation and tweak as needed until you have the desired shot.

You could also just constraint the camera straight to a model, but then you wouldn't be able to turn the camera away from it without removing the constraint.

Speaking of removing constraints, if you did it wrong, just right-click camera > transform > Constraints > Remove Constraints and then simply repeat the above steps to "re-lock" it.











UPDATE: I have recently discovered that this technique can be used on lights as well.
Now you can make lights follow your characters as well as cameras.
This comes in handy for things like animated spot lights.

I hope this helps you become more creative with your camera animations, the way I see it, the sky's the limit now...
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them here or on the SFM forums.

Part Two: Video Guide to "Gimballing".

Here's the video version of the above guide on how to gimbal rig a camera in SFM.

[Capt Fuzzy]

More like it felt like something fuzzy was hanging out in it, but yeah... lol

[windizzy]

I guess we can say your Stomach felt fuzzy

[Capt Fuzzy]

I'm doing better, some kind of stomach flu like bug was going around and I caught it, but it's clearing up now, so I should be back to my old self again soon.

[windizzy]

Wish you the best, man!

[Capt Fuzzy]

Yes, been sick lately so I haven't done much, but I do still post stuff when I have something to post... lol

[windizzy]

Do you still do Youtube? These tutorials were rather nice

[Capt Fuzzy]

Yup, and I tend to use it a bit more than I should.., from time to time... lol

[marty]

wtf capt fuzzy has a voice?

[windizzy]

Thanks

[Capt Fuzzy]

UPDATE:
Video tutorial has now been added, just for those of you who hate to read...