Top Down View: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "= Top-Down View = == Overview == The '''Top-Down View''' in ACT 3 AI provides a 2D, bird’s-eye layout of your production set. It’s designed to help you plan camera placement, actor movement, lighting, and prop positioning before or during production. This tool links directly to your script, storyboards, and timeline in the Editor|Editor Wo...")
 
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= Top-Down View =
== Overview ==
== Overview ==
The '''Top-Down View''' in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] provides a 2D, bird’s-eye layout of your production set.   
The '''Top Down View''' in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] provides a bird’s-eye perspective of your scene.   
It’s designed to help you plan [[Camera_Placement|camera placement]], [[Actor_Blocking|actor movement]], [[Lighting_Setup|lighting]], and prop positioning before or during production. 
It allows creators to visualize [[Camera_Angles]], character placement, and spatial blocking from above, ensuring precise staging for [[Shots]] and [[Scenes]].
This tool links directly to your [[Script_Editor|script]], [[Storyboard_Panels|storyboards]], and [[Timeline|timeline]] in the [[Editor|Editor Workspace]].
 
== Key Features ==
* '''2D Map Interface:''' Plan every scene from an overhead perspective.
* '''Drag-and-Drop Placement:''' Move [[Digital_Actors|digital actors]], [[Props|props]], cameras, and lights.
* '''Path Drawing:''' Create paths for actor movement or camera motion.
* '''Set Zones:''' Define specific areas (e.g., “living room,” “street corner”) for scene blocking.
* '''Integration with 3D Tools:''' Export to Blender or other software for advanced set design.
 
== How to Use ==
# Open your project in the [[Editor|Editor Workspace]].
# Switch one of the columns to '''Top-Down View'''.
# Select a [[Scene|scene]] or [[Shot|shot]] to visualize.
# Drag elements from the asset library:
## [[Digital_Actors|Actors]]
## [[Props|Props]]
## [[Camera_Placement|Cameras]]
## [[Lighting_Setup|Lights]]
# Adjust their position, rotation, and scale.
# Save your layout — it will be linked to the current shot.
 
== Camera & Actor Tools ==
* '''Camera Tools:'''
** Select lenses (wide, telephoto, macro)
** Set height and tilt
** Draw [[Camera_Movement|camera movement]] paths
* '''Actor Tools:'''
** Position and rotate actors
** Assign [[Facial_Expressions|facial expressions]] or [[Poses|poses]]
** Sync with [[Digital_Actors|digital actor models]]
 
== Lighting Controls ==
* Add light sources (spotlights, softboxes, ambient light).
* Adjust intensity, color temperature, and spread.
* Mark [[Lighting_Cues|lighting cues]] for different shots.
 
== Export & Import ==
* Export layouts to:
** Blender (for full 3D scene work)
** FBX/OBJ (for import into other 3D tools)
* Import existing set designs for editing.


== AI Assistance ==
== 1. Purpose ==
* Use [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]] to auto-place cameras and actors based on your [[Script_Editor|script]].
* Plan camera positions relative to actors and environment 
* Generate layout suggestions for action-heavy sequences.
* Block out movement paths for [[Characters]] and [[Digital_Actors]]
* Get AI-optimized blocking for minimal scene clutter.
* Prevent continuity errors by referencing a spatial map 
* Support quick adjustments during [[Storyboard_Panels|storyboarding]] 


== Collaboration ==
== 2. Features ==
* Multiple users can work in Top-Down View at the same time.
* '''Scene Layout Grid:''' View environment, props, and actor placement 
* Add [[Inline_Comments|inline comments]] to specific objects.
* '''Camera Icons:''' Drag-and-drop [[Camera_Movement|camera positions]] with orientation arrows 
* Lock elements once approved to prevent accidental changes.
* '''Character Tokens:''' Represent actors with labeled markers for clarity 
* '''Multi-Camera Support:''' Display overlapping shots for comparison 
* '''Path Tracing:''' Visualize walking, running, or action sequences 


== Tips for Best Results ==
== 3. How to Use ==
* Keep the scene layout simple — clutter can distract during planning.
# Open the [[Editor]] and select **Top Down View** from the toolbar 
* Color-code props, actors, and cameras for quick identification.
# Place characters on the layout using drag-and-drop tokens 
* Save multiple layout versions for different takes.
# Add cameras to define shot direction and focal length 
# Trace movement paths for [[Scenes]] and [[Shots]] 
# Sync adjustments with [[Timeline_&_Storyboard]] for preview 


== Troubleshooting ==
== 4. Benefits ==
* '''Objects not appearing''' → Check layer visibility settings.
* Quickly communicate staging to collaborators 
* '''Actor not linked to shot''' → Drag actor icon to the target shot in [[Outline_Panel|outline panel]].
* Combine with [[Lighting]] and [[Camera_Movement]] for full scene planning 
* '''Camera path not rendering''' → Ensure path is saved before switching views.
* Saves credits by reducing the number of trial renders 
* Creates a reference map for consistent visual continuity 


== See Also ==
== 5. Roadmap ==
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard & Panels]]
* Auto-generate camera suggestions based on [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]] beats 
* [[Script_Editor|Script Editor]]
* Integration with virtual cinematography for AI-assisted blocking 
* [[Editor|Editor Workspace]]
* Export top-down diagrams as PNG for presentations 
* [[Digital_Actors|Digital Actors]]
* [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]]
* [[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3 Integration]]
* [[Runway|Runway Integration]]
* [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]
* [[Build_Video|Build Video]]


[[Category:ACT 3 AI Features]]
----


[https://act3ai.com/contact Contact Us] if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.
<small>See also: [[Storyboard_Panels]], [[Camera_Angles]], [[Camera_Movement]], [[Lighting]], [[Scenes]], [[Shots]], [[Editor]]</small>

Latest revision as of 09:35, 27 August 2025

Overview

The Top Down View in ACT 3 AI provides a bird’s-eye perspective of your scene. It allows creators to visualize Camera_Angles, character placement, and spatial blocking from above, ensuring precise staging for Shots and Scenes.

1. Purpose

  • Plan camera positions relative to actors and environment
  • Block out movement paths for Characters and Digital_Actors
  • Prevent continuity errors by referencing a spatial map
  • Support quick adjustments during storyboarding

2. Features

  • Scene Layout Grid: View environment, props, and actor placement
  • Camera Icons: Drag-and-drop camera positions with orientation arrows
  • Character Tokens: Represent actors with labeled markers for clarity
  • Multi-Camera Support: Display overlapping shots for comparison
  • Path Tracing: Visualize walking, running, or action sequences

3. How to Use

  1. Open the Editor and select **Top Down View** from the toolbar
  2. Place characters on the layout using drag-and-drop tokens
  3. Add cameras to define shot direction and focal length
  4. Trace movement paths for Scenes and Shots
  5. Sync adjustments with Timeline_&_Storyboard for preview

4. Benefits

  • Quickly communicate staging to collaborators
  • Combine with Lighting and Camera_Movement for full scene planning
  • Saves credits by reducing the number of trial renders
  • Creates a reference map for consistent visual continuity

5. Roadmap

  • Auto-generate camera suggestions based on AI Wizard beats
  • Integration with virtual cinematography for AI-assisted blocking
  • Export top-down diagrams as PNG for presentations

See also: Storyboard_Panels, Camera_Angles, Camera_Movement, Lighting, Scenes, Shots, Editor

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