[VIDEO] Filming with Xbox controller

[deltic009]

No doubt, anyone who has tried to take a video in TS 2014 will have noticed a few things. Its very difficult to get a good smooth pan with mouse/keyboard - particularly when zoomed in. So, I decided I'd see what all the stuff was with the Xbox controller, albeit I'm actually just emulating one but using a Playstation3 SixAxis controller.

The difference with using the analog sticks is stark, it allows you smooth operation and I only wish that it was possible to use other analog inputs on the controller to smooth out zoom jerk as well. Anyway, by way of demonstration I put together this video showing two pans taken from a long distance away and zoomed in heavily.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdgeYYYjHdg

[johnrossetti]

That is stunning, well done. If I understand your description, your just emulating an Xbox ? so anyone could get these results ?
John

[deltic009]

Yes, I am not using MotionJoy as that requires a connextion for me at least, I'm using something called Xmapper. Once the drivers are installed it just does the job of an Xbox controller. I'm connected via USB but it will work with Bluetooth if your computer has it.

[DavidVI]

The ability to move around really smoothly and at various speeds is something I noticed when trying out the Xbox pad. I considered using it for videos but never got around to it.. it's so much better than a mouse where you jerk about

Brilliant results!

[msdejesus]

Very interesting idea, indeed, and a lovely vid, btw.

[deltic009]

Very interesting idea, indeed, and a lovely vid, btw.

Thanks, if only the zooming could be smoothed out rather than taking steps along the way, it would be a perfect way of watching from the lineside.

[TheTazman]

Never seen ts that smooth before.

[deltic009]

Never seen ts that smooth before.

Thanks. It has always niggled me that you could only be smooth if you let the sim choose the angle and front vehicle to track in camera 4. Quite often when you see high quality railway footage you'll notice that they either track the locomotive or if its high speed at close quartets then they'll pan around but let the train pass as they do so.

I'm getting ready for my first set of scenarios and I want to produce some high quality video to help promote the scenarios so that was my reason for trying. Look out for more videos and the scenarios themselves very soon.