Navigating Camera Controls In Substance Paint: A Guide

In Substance Painter, users can control the camera in the Viewport by panning, zooming, or rotating. By default, the camera is in perspective mode. To move the camera, users can use the keyboard shortcut Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button. Alternatively, users can use the middle mouse button to rotate the camera, Shift + middle mouse button to pan, and the scroll wheel to zoom. Some users have noted that the camera movement can feel clunky or needlessly complex when trying to access tight spots within a mesh. In such cases, other software like Blender offers more intuitive camera navigation with WASD controls.

The default camera in Substance Painter is called Default camera

The default camera in Substance Painter is called "Default camera". It is selected by default and is in perspective mode. The "Default camera" can be controlled by panning, zooming or rotating in the Viewport.

To move the camera in Substance Painter, you need to hold the Alt key along with the left mouse button. To move the camera, you can also use the left control key along with the left Alt key and the left mouse button. The "Show camera frame" checkbox in the 3D Viewport can be checked or unchecked to display or hide the camera frame. The gate mask opacity can be adjusted using the slider, ranging from "0" for full transparency to "100" for opacity.

Substance Painter's camera controls have been criticised for being clunky and disorienting, particularly when navigating tight spaces or inside mesh. The camera rotates based on where you last clicked, which can be confusing. In contrast, software like Blender has been praised for its camera controls, which include middle mouse rotation, shift + middle mouse panning, and scroll wheel zooming. Blender also offers Walk navigation with WASD controls, allowing for quick and intuitive movement around a 3D model.

While some users have expressed frustration with Substance Painter's camera controls, others have noted that with regular use, the controls can become second nature. It is important to note that the camera management features in Substance Painter allow for the import and utilisation of cameras created in software such as Maya, Max, Blender, Modo, and DAE. This provides users with additional options for camera control and navigation within the software.

To move the camera, use Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button

To move the camera in Substance Painter, you need to use the keyboard shortcut Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button. This will allow you to navigate the camera around your 3D model.

It's important to note that by default, the camera in Substance Painter is locked, and you cannot move it without first unlocking it. To unlock the camera, simply click on the lock icon. Once the camera is unlocked, you can use the keyboard shortcut to move it freely.

The Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button shortcut is a convenient way to navigate your scene and view your model from different angles. It gives you more control over your camera movement compared to simply spinning the background with the Shift + Right Click method, which some users have found clunky or limiting.

With the Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button shortcut, you can easily move the camera to see your mesh from different sides, giving you a more comprehensive view of your work. This can be especially useful when working on complex models or trying to access tight spots within your scene.

Middle mouse rotates the camera around the centre screen

To move the camera around in Substance Painter, you must first unlock it. By default, the Painter camera is set to "Default camera" and is in perspective mode. The "Show camera frame" checkbox in the 3D Viewport must be checked or unchecked to display or hide the frame.

Now, to rotate the camera around the centre screen, you can use the middle mouse button. This will allow you to rotate the camera starting at 0/0/0. Additionally, you can use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out. For further camera control, you can use the Left Control + Left Alt + Left Mouse Button combination. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt + middle for camera translation and Alt + left for camera rotation, although these can be changed to your preference.

Shift + middle mouse pans, and scroll wheel zooms

To move the camera around in Substance Painter, you can use the middle mouse button, the scroll wheel, and the Shift key.

The middle mouse button is used to rotate the camera around the centre of the screen. However, some users have reported that pressing and holding the middle mouse button causes the camera to zoom out continuously, in addition to panning. This issue can be resolved by pushing the scroll wheel to the left or right and unassigning the "Scroll Left" and "Scroll Right" functions using mouse software. Alternatively, pressing Shift + middle mouse button will allow you to orbit the camera as expected.

The scroll wheel is used for zooming in and out. You can adjust the speed of zooming by going to Edit -> Settings -> Camera options -> wheel speed.

Using the Shift key in combination with the middle mouse button will allow you to pan the camera. Additionally, the Shift key can be used with the right-click to spin the background around.

It's important to note that the Default camera in Substance Painter is selected by default and is in perspective mode. Controlling the camera in the Viewport by panning, zooming, or rotating will switch to the Default camera.

Lock the camera by clicking the lock icon

Locking the camera is a useful feature in Substance 3D Painter that can be accessed by clicking on the lock icon. This action ensures that the camera attributes cannot be modified, and the camera can only be moved again by unlocking it. The lock camera feature is particularly helpful when you want to prevent accidental adjustments to your camera settings.

To elaborate, when you lock the camera in Substance 3D Painter, you are essentially restricting any changes to its current state. This means that you won't be able to pan, zoom, or rotate the camera within the Viewport without first unlocking it. The lock camera function is especially valuable when working with imported cameras from external 3D applications.

In the case of imported cameras, you can access the lock camera feature by navigating to Display Settings > Camera Settings and clicking the Lock Camera icon. This action will prevent any unintentional modifications to the camera's attributes, such as its field of view, focal length, or any other intrinsic parameters. It's important to note that this workaround is specifically for imported cameras within an FBX file.

While the lock camera function is beneficial in certain scenarios, it's worth mentioning that some users have expressed a desire to lock the default camera as well. This feature is currently not available without importing external cameras. Nonetheless, the lock camera option serves as a valuable tool for maintaining the desired camera settings and preventing any unintended changes during the creative process.

In summary, locking the camera in Substance 3D Painter by clicking the lock icon is a straightforward way to ensure your camera settings remain intact. It provides a sense of security, knowing that your camera attributes cannot be accidentally altered. Whether you're working with imported cameras or seeking a stable default camera setup, the lock camera feature is an essential tool for maintaining control and consistency in your 3D projects.

Frequently asked questions