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 =
= 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 ==
== 1. Purpose ==
* '''2D Map Interface:''' Plan every scene from an overhead perspective.
* Plan camera positions relative to actors and environment 
* '''Drag-and-Drop Placement:''' Move [[Digital_Actors|digital actors]], [[Props|props]], cameras, and lights.
* Block out movement paths for [[Characters]] and [[Digital_Actors]]
* '''Path Drawing:''' Create paths for actor movement or camera motion.
* Prevent continuity errors by referencing a spatial map 
* '''Set Zones:''' Define specific areas (e.g., “living room,” “street corner”) for scene blocking.
* Support quick adjustments during [[Storyboard_Panels|storyboarding]] 
* '''Integration with 3D Tools:''' Export to Blender or other software for advanced set design.


== How to Use ==
== 2. Features ==
# Open your project in the [[Editor|Editor Workspace]].
* '''Scene Layout Grid:''' View environment, props, and actor placement 
# Switch one of the columns to '''Top-Down View'''.
* '''Camera Icons:''' Drag-and-drop [[Camera_Movement|camera positions]] with orientation arrows 
# Select a [[Scene|scene]] or [[Shot|shot]] to visualize.
* '''Character Tokens:''' Represent actors with labeled markers for clarity 
# Drag elements from the asset library:
* '''Multi-Camera Support:''' Display overlapping shots for comparison 
## [[Digital_Actors|Actors]]
* '''Path Tracing:''' Visualize walking, running, or action sequences 
## [[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 ==
== 3. How to Use ==
* '''Camera Tools:'''
# Open the [[Editor]] and select **Top Down View** from the toolbar 
** Select lenses (wide, telephoto, macro)
# Place characters on the layout using drag-and-drop tokens 
** Set height and tilt
# Add cameras to define shot direction and focal length 
** Draw [[Camera_Movement|camera movement]] paths
# Trace movement paths for [[Scenes]] and [[Shots]]
* '''Actor Tools:'''
# Sync adjustments with [[Timeline_&_Storyboard]] for preview 
** Position and rotate actors
** Assign [[Facial_Expressions|facial expressions]] or [[Poses|poses]]
** Sync with [[Digital_Actors|digital actor models]]


== Lighting Controls ==
== 4. Benefits ==
* Add light sources (spotlights, softboxes, ambient light).
* Quickly communicate staging to collaborators 
* Adjust intensity, color temperature, and spread.
* Combine with [[Lighting]] and [[Camera_Movement]] for full scene planning 
* Mark [[Lighting_Cues|lighting cues]] for different shots.
* Saves credits by reducing the number of trial renders 
* Creates a reference map for consistent visual continuity 


== Export & Import ==
== 5. Roadmap ==
* Export layouts to:
* Auto-generate camera suggestions based on [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]] beats 
** Blender (for full 3D scene work)
* Integration with [[Virtual_Cinematography]] for AI-assisted blocking 
** FBX/OBJ (for import into other 3D tools)
* Export top-down diagrams as PNG for presentations 
* Import existing set designs for editing.


== AI Assistance ==
----
* Use [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]] to auto-place cameras and actors based on your [[Script_Editor|script]].
* Generate layout suggestions for action-heavy sequences.
* Get AI-optimized blocking for minimal scene clutter.


== Collaboration ==
<small>See also: [[Storyboard_Panels]], [[Camera_Angles]], [[Camera_Movement]], [[Lighting]], [[Scenes]], [[Shots]], [[Editor]]</small>
* Multiple users can work in Top-Down View at the same time.
* Add [[Inline_Comments|inline comments]] to specific objects.
* Lock elements once approved to prevent accidental changes.
 
== Tips for Best Results ==
* Keep the scene layout simple — clutter can distract during planning.
* Color-code props, actors, and cameras for quick identification.
* Save multiple layout versions for different takes.
 
== Troubleshooting ==
* '''Objects not appearing''' → Check layer visibility settings.
* '''Actor not linked to shot''' → Drag actor icon to the target shot in [[Outline_Panel|outline panel]].
* '''Camera path not rendering''' → Ensure path is saved before switching views.
 
== See Also ==
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard & Panels]]
* [[Script_Editor|Script Editor]]
* [[Editor|Editor Workspace]]
* [[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.

Revision as of 10:42, 20 August 2025

Top Down View

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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