How to Build an Interactive Security Camera System

A simple security camera can go a long way.

When implementing a security camera system an obvious choice is to use a BlendList Camera.

A BlendList Camera can switch between cameras using four main options: Child, Blend In, Transition Time and Hold.

The Four Main Options: Child(the child vcams), BlendIn, Transition Time, Hold

The default BlendList Camera is parent to two vCams.

The Child option allows you to select from any of the children(vCams). You can add more if you like.

Blend In determines how the transition is to take place whether it is a sharp switch from one camera to the next or a more smooth transition.

Transition Time is the amount of time to take between cameras(not available with Cut Blend In).

Hold is the length of time that a particular camera will ‘watch’ the scene before transitioning to the next one.

The Blend In setting has eight options to choose from:

For more information on these eight settings see my previous article where we use each of these settings(including a Custom setting): Creating Custom Blends inside the Cinemachine Brain

It is important to note that the first camera in the Blend List will only have three options. It will not need a Transition Time because it is not transitioning from another camera in the list.

Now that we have discussed some of the underlying structure for our security camera it is time to make it.

• First, add a Cinemachine → BlendListCamera to the scene and position it where you like.

• Second, adjust the viewing angle of each of the vCams.

VCam Views: left(vCam1), right(vCam2)

• Third, set the cameras and adjust their values to accomplish the visualization you are hoping to achieve.

Each vCam will transition and hold for 1 second.

• Fourth, press play and see the results of your work.

Our settings of 1 second are pretty low. To get a better feel we might increase the Hold and Transition Time.

Wrap-up- This setup mimics that of a fixed mount security camera that moves back and forth between two views with a panning motion. If you want to get really fancy you can add other cameras to add transitory views for your unique camera needs.