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Base Layer explanation and adding user's intention #44

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Base Layer explanation and adding user's intention
LuniMoon Mar 31, 2023
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Generalising tips
LuniMoon Apr 3, 2023
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Updated wiki version
LuniMoon Apr 7, 2023
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LuniMoon Apr 11, 2023
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31 changes: 18 additions & 13 deletions docs/gdevelop5/tutorials/follow-player-with-camera/index.md
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Expand Up @@ -14,33 +14,38 @@ This article includes instructions for implementing this functionality either wi
Learn more about [layers and cameras](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/interface/scene-editor/layers-and-cameras/#cameras) and [how to keep UI objects on screen](/gdevelop5/tutorials/keep-ui-on-screen).


## Follow an object smoothly
## Follow a character smoothly

Adding the **Smooth Camera** [behavior](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/behaviors#adding_a_behavior_to_an_object) to the character make the camera follow it automatically. The **Move camera closer** action can still be used to avoid a 1-frame delay.
Add the **Smooth Camera** [behavior](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/behaviors#adding_a_behavior_to_an_object) to the object *(remember to [install it first](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/extensions/search/) from the Extension catalog)*. The **Smooth Camera's** parameters such as "catch up" and "speed" can be modified to personalize the smoothness of the camera.

!!! tip

Learn [how to install new extensions](/gdevelop5/extensions/search) by following a step-by-step guide.
Make sure that the character, enemies and platforms on the project are placed on the "Base Layer" on the layer panel. If the issue persist, ask the community on the [forum](https://forum.gdevelop.io/t/camera-not-following-character/45356).
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Suggested change
Make sure that the character, enemies and platforms on the project are placed on the "Base Layer" on the layer panel. If the issue persist, ask the community on the [forum](https://forum.gdevelop.io/t/camera-not-following-character/45356).
Make sure that the character, enemies and platforms on the project are placed on the "Base Layer" on the layer panel. If the issue persists, ask the community on the [forum](https://forum.gdevelop.io/t/camera-not-following-character/45356).



## Move several layers together
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@D8H D8H Mar 31, 2023 •
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This is an important part of the actual solution. It should not be too far in the doc.

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I trust you're right.
Tho, I read the article as someone which issue is simple (a basic, beginner's issue): I wanted to follow a single character, with a single camera, and because I come from design (we're very methodical and organised with layers) I had multiple layers with objects (background, base layer, foreground).
So, after learning that all i needed to do was to place my platform (on background) on the base layer along with my character, my issue was fixed. So, the information of knowing how to move several layers together wasn't valuable for me. That's why I moved it to the bottom (true, I've been reading with my use case in mind, so I'm ignorant of others).

I'm starting to be afraid that the article might be failing to resolve the issue (and the reason why we're doing documentation efforts): users struggle to self-diagnose the issue they're experiencing, and feel they have to "guess" from the (so perceived) isolated answers on the web.
I do wonder if the structure of the article should be:

  • Which extension to use, and how to install it (done on the first chunk)
  • Why are layers a camera, and how do they work? (I tried to address this on the tooltip)

Ending the article here could theorically cover the basics but as we've observed, there can be different intentions on this single title (I wonder if they should be H2 on the article), such as...

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  • Why are layers a camera, and how do they work? (I tried to address this on the tooltip)

This is the role of this other page:

  • Simply following a platformer object (keeping it simple on the base layer)

Using only one layer is not a simple solution, it's a just bad solution.

Some platforms and decorations need to be behind the player. If they are on the same layer, new platforms will be added on top of the player. The creator will need to change the z-order of the character each time there is something new and setting the player a big z-order won't cut it because new instances will always be the maxiumum z-order + 1.

Even for a very basic game, not using layers is a ticket to an UX hell.

image

It can be a new section.

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Yes. I know the existence of the Layers and Cameras wiki (it's included in one of the tooltips).
As for the layers, I see what you're saying: for changing Z positioning, I'd like to eventually merge layers with instances.
But for layer usage, like I said, I am very methodical with my layers, so I did separate them on my project as follows: backgrounds, base layer (in which I had my platform) character, and foreground. I had my character in my "character" layer, not on "base layer". After some help from y'all, I moved my character to the "base layer" but not the platform in which it was standing (which caused my character to float in the middle of the scene). My problem was there.

Tristan did suggested adding an extension called "copy camera position" (or something like that) but: 1. I got annoyed that I had to add yet another extension (I wonder if this is what a user meant by "relying too much on extensions"), 2. I didn't understand why I had to copy other camera's possitions.

So, maybe the solution is partially there: instead of giving them a "fake solution" (keeping most of the graphics on the base layer), pointing them to the "proper solution" -> creating a link to another article on why and how to copy camera position to follow a single camera. 🤷

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Yes. I know the existence of the Layers and Cameras wiki (it's included in one of the tooltips). As for the layers, I see what you're saying: for changing Z positioning, I'd like to eventually merge layers with instances. But for layer usage, like I said, I am very methodical with my layers, so I did separate them on my project as follows: backgrounds, base layer (in which I had my platform) character, and foreground. I had my character in my "character" layer, not on "base layer". After some help from y'all, I moved my character to the "base layer" but not the platform in which it was standing (which caused my character to float in the middle of the scene). My problem was there.

This advice was to give you the shortest way to have something that works. It's fine to give this advice to someone that is lost as a temporary solution. It's not fine in an official documentation.

Tristan did suggested adding an extension called "copy camera position" (or something like that) but: 1. I got annoyed that I had to add yet another extension (I wonder if this is what a user meant by "relying too much on extensions"), 2. I didn't understand why I had to copy other camera's positions.

Layers can be copied just like this, but Tristan's extension make it easier to do. I think it's better in an extension because it avoids to have a lot of actions that almost do the same thing directly in the engine (which could be overwhelming for beginners).
image

So, maybe the solution is partially there: instead of giving them a "fake solution" (keeping most of the graphics on the base layer), pointing them to the "proper solution" -> creating a link to another article on why and how to copy camera position to follow a single camera. 🤷

The existing page has a section for this "Move several layers together".


Games can contain a lot of objects and using several layers is a good solution to organize a project. All layers (except for UI layers) should likely be moved the same way when a character is followed.
### Keep a character at the exact center of the camera

The [copy camera settings](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/extensions/copy-camera-settings/) extension allows to copy a camera position to another one. The camera that follows the player can be copied to any other camera layers.
To configure the camera to center on an object, go to the [event sheet](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/events) and **add an Action** *(no need to set a Condition)* called **"Center the camera on an object"**.
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To configure the camera to center on an object, go to the [event sheet](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/events) and **add an Action** *(no need to set a Condition)* called **"Center the camera on an object"**.
To configure the camera to center on an object, go to the [event sheet](/gdevelop5/events) and **add an Action** *(no need to set a Condition)* called **"Center the camera on an object"**.


Select the object that will be followed by the camera and make sure that the layer where the object is placed is selected.

## Keep an object at the exact center of the screen
The **Action** should look like this:

To configure the camera to follow an object, go to the [event sheet](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/events) and **add an Action** *(no need to set a Condition)* called **"Center the camera on an object"**.
![](pasted/20230316-155732.png)

After that, select the character that will be followed by the camera and check that the layer of the character is selected.
!!! tip

The **Action** should look like this:
To get closer to the character with the camera (zoom-in), use the action **Move camera closer**.

### Follow several objects together
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The original title was "Move several layers together". The new one doesn't mean the same thing.

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It doesn't.
The title of the article says "follow an object with a camera", so I wondered if "follow several objects together" wouldn't be better and closer to the original intention, to let the reader know what they'll achieve (instead of how to do it?).

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It doesn't. The title of the article says "follow an object with a camera", so I wondered if "follow several objects together" wouldn't be better and closer to the original intention, to let the reader know what they'll achieve (instead of how to do it?).

It explains how to make several layer cameras follow 1 object (as if layers were glue together).
Making 2 cameras follow 2 objects is something else and would required a split screen.


Games can contain a lot of objects. Using several layers is a way to keep a project organized, but also to manage camera movements. All layers (except for UI layers) should likely be moved the same way when a character is followed. *Read more on [how does cameras and layers](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/interface/scene-editor/layers-and-cameras/#dimensions-and-angle-of-the-camera) work.*

To follow several objects at the same time, install the **[Copy camera settings](https://wiki.gdevelop.io/gdevelop5/extensions/copy-camera-settings/)** extension. It allows to copy the camera's position to another camera, including the camera that follows the player.

![](pasted/20230316-155732.png)

## Make a custom camera following (advanced)

## Make a custom camera following
To add camera inertia and a smoother transition watch [this video tutorial](https://youtu.be/yUNisggNh7s?t=84) to learn how to use the Camera Center positions on the X and Y axis, along with `lerp` expressions and formulas.

To add camera inertia and a smoother transition watch [this video tutorial](https://youtu.be/yUNisggNh7s?t=84) to learn how to use the Camera Center positions on the X and Y axis, along with `lerp` expressions and formulas.