Problem: Can't find a camera suitable for 3rd person drifting. Currently the closest thing is the orbit camera, it's a bit too general purpose and I have it set for racing anyways, the chase cam reacts too buggy. I want to make my own camera that takes the best parts from both these or simply to make a better one based off them. How can I do that, has it been done already? Tertiary: Make it slot into the base game so it works not for just one car, but all cars, official and mods/automation. Preference: If cannot smooth out buggy chase cam, then use orbit cam as a base and tighten it so the focus is on the inside front wheel just ahead of apex at all times.
Check out this mod and see how its done: https://www.beamng.com/resources/lookahead-interior-camera.2593/ With the help of the core files you should be able to create your very own camera mod.
https://www.beamng.com/threads/tutorial-how-to-write-camera-mode-mods.29108/ This kind of mod probably has the steepest barrier of all the mods officially possible for the game. I don't mean to discourage you, but if you don't have solid programming and math foundations then you will not be able to complete an improved camera. In that case I'd recommend focusing on other types of Lua mod. Once you can look at an existing camera and feel pretty comfortable with the code aspect of it, then it's time to go read about the math (if you don't already know the math). Geometry/Trig is definitely a tripping point for me on custom cameras.
I see. That's a bit unexpected. I would've thought some AI programming or something would be harder unless it's rudimentary by comparison. I was ok with general maths years ago, perhaps I'll give it one shot and come back to it later, depending on how much of a headache I want to give myself that day! Seems like something to do in the long run but not sure if it's for me then.
I could probably have phrased it better. AI mods aren't part of the official mod framework, eg you must overwrite official content in order to affect the AI. Cameras are officially supported.
No biggie! I do it myself, phrasing I often like to use certain terms out of context so I can remember them. I do hope someone with the interest, smarts and toughness can come along to make some good camera mods in future. Probably it's not for me at this time and my maths isn't even good average anymore
