Fixed and Free 3D Camera Code Example

Decided to post this here as yet another camera class as a working example / tutorial in code.

This camera is simple but fairly complete and its just one class.
I left in lots of comments so anyone trying to understand how it works can learn by looking at it and using it.

What it is…

It is both a fixed camera e.g. a Fps camera and a Free camera like in a airplane game or space sim.
It has two Mouse Keyboard control layout schemes. You select them as options after you create the camera.

It’s pretty simple to use and it has pretty much all the rotational and motion type of calls separated out to individual methods. I figured i would clean this up and re-post it as a more complete example since camera questions come up often.

How to use it in game1…

First create a class in your project with the same name and all the monogame using directives.
Then copy paste the class file code below into it.

You then define it in game1

Basic3dExampleCamera cam;

Then instantiate it after the graphics device is fully initialized typically in LoadContent(){
Set any options up that you want or the starting position and lookat target or direction to face.

cam = new Basic3dExampleCamera(GraphicsDevice, this.Window);
cam.Position = new Vector3(2, 10, 52);
cam.LookAtDirection = Vector3.Forward;

You call update on it in Game1’s Update(…){.

cam.Update(gameTime);

You pass the world view and projection matrixs from it to basic effect or your own effect.
Thats it … it has plenty of defaults that can be change thru the methods easily.

Controls…

Right clicking the mouse enables or disables mouse look.
Depending on the layout. Keys q w e a s d (z c) (roll / spin in edit mode) are used.
As well as the keyboard arrows.

/// <summary>
/// This is a camera i basically remade to make it work. 
/// Using quite a bit of stuff from my camera class its nearly the same as mine but its a bit simpler. 
/// I have bunches of cameras at this point and i need to combine them into a fully hard core non basic camera.
/// That said simple makes for a better example and a better basis to combine them later.
/// </summary>
public class Basic3dExampleCamera
{
    private GraphicsDevice graphicsDevice = null;
    private GameWindow gameWindow = null;

    private MouseState mState = default(MouseState);
    private KeyboardState kbState = default(KeyboardState);

    public float MovementUnitsPerSecond { get; set; } = 30f;
    public float RotationRadiansPerSecond { get; set; } = 60f;

    public float fieldOfViewDegrees = 80f;
    public float nearClipPlane = .05f;
    public float farClipPlane = 2000f;

    private float yMouseAngle = 0f;
    private float xMouseAngle = 0f;
    private bool mouseLookIsUsed = true;

    private int fpsKeyboardLayout = 1;
    private int cameraTypeOption = 1;

    /// <summary>
    /// operates pretty much like a fps camera.
    /// </summary>
    public const int CAM_UI_OPTION_FPS_LAYOUT = 0;
    /// <summary>
    /// I put this one on by default.
    /// free cam i use this for editing its more like a air plane or space camera.
    /// the horizon is not corrected for in this one so use the z and c keys to roll 
    /// hold the right mouse to look with it.
    /// </summary>
    public const int CAM_UI_OPTION_EDIT_LAYOUT = 1;
    /// <summary>
    /// Determines how the camera behaves fixed 0  free 1
    /// </summary>

    /// <summary>
    /// A fixed camera is typically used in fps games. It is called a fixed camera because the up is stabalized to the system vectors up.
    /// However be aware that this means if the forward vector or were you are looking is directly up or down you will gimble lock.
    /// Typically this is not allowed in many fps or rather it is faked so you can never truely look directly up or down.
    /// </summary>
    public const int CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FIXED = 0;
    /// <summary>
    /// A free camera has its up vector unlocked good for a space sim, air fighter game or editing. 
    /// It won't gimble lock. Provided the up is found from the cross of the right forward it can't gimble lock.
    /// The draw back is the horizon stabilization needs to be handled for some types of games.
    /// </summary>
    public const int CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FREE = 1;


    /// <summary>
    /// Constructs the camera.
    /// </summary>
    public Basic3dExampleCamera(GraphicsDevice gfxDevice, GameWindow window)
    {
        graphicsDevice = gfxDevice;
        gameWindow = window;
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
        ReCreateThePerspectiveProjectionMatrix(gfxDevice, fieldOfViewDegrees);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Select how you want the ui to feel or how to control the camera by passing in Basic3dExampleCamera. CAM_UI_ options
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="UiOption"></param>
    public void CameraUi(int UiOption)
    {
        fpsKeyboardLayout = UiOption;
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Select a camera type fixed free or other by passing in ( Basic3dExampleCamera. CAM_TYPE_ options )
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="cameraOption"></param>
    public void CameraType(int cameraOption)
    {
        cameraTypeOption = cameraOption;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// This serves as the cameras up. For fixed cameras this might not change at all ever. For free cameras it changes constantly.
    /// A fixed camera keeps a fixed horizon but can gimble lock under normal rotation when looking straight up or down.
    /// A free camera has no fixed horizon but can't gimble lock under normal rotation as the up changes as the camera moves.
    /// Most hybrid cameras are a blend of the two but all are based on one or both of the above.
    /// </summary>
    private Vector3 up = Vector3.Up;
    /// <summary>
    /// This serves as the cameras world orientation like almost all 3d game objects they have a world matrix. 
    /// It holds all orientational values and is used to move the camera properly thru the world space.
    /// </summary>
    private Matrix camerasWorld = Matrix.Identity;
    /// <summary>
    /// The view matrice is created from the cameras world matrice but it has special properties.
    /// Using create look at to create this matrix you move from the world space into the view space.
    /// If you are working on world objects you should not take individual elements from this to directly operate on world matrix components.
    /// As well the multiplication of a view matrix by a world matrix moves the resulting matrix into view space itself.
    /// </summary>
    private Matrix viewMatrix = Matrix.Identity;
    /// <summary>
    /// The projection matrix. This matrice creates a vanishing point and skews all objects drawn to create the illusion of depth and a perspective parallax view at distance.
    /// </summary>
    private Matrix projectionMatrix = Matrix.Identity;

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets or sets the the camera's position in the world.
    /// </summary>
    public Vector3 Position
    {
        set
        {
            camerasWorld.Translation = value;
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
        get { return camerasWorld.Translation; }
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Gets or Sets the direction the camera is looking at in the world.
    /// The forward is the same as the look at direction it i a directional vector not a position.
    /// </summary>
    public Vector3 Forward
    {
        set
        {
            camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, value, up);
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
        get { return camerasWorld.Forward; }
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Get the cameras up vector. You shouldn't need to set the up you shouldn't at all if you are using the free camera type.
    /// </summary>
    public Vector3 Up
    {
        set
        {
            up = value;
            camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Forward, value);
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
        get { return up; }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets or Sets the direction the camera is looking at in the world as a directional vector.
    /// </summary>
    public Vector3 LookAtDirection
    {
        set
        {
            camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, value, up);
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
        get { return camerasWorld.Forward; }
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Sets a positional target in the world to look at.
    /// </summary>
    public Vector3 TargetPositionToLookAt
    {
        set
        {
            camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, Vector3.Normalize(value - camerasWorld.Translation), up);
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Turns the camera to face the target this method just takes in the targets matrix for convienience.
    /// </summary>
    public Matrix LookAtTheTargetMatrix
    {
        set
        {
            camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, Vector3.Normalize(value.Translation - camerasWorld.Translation), up);
            // since we know here that a change has occured to the cameras world orientations we can update the view matrix.
            ReCreateWorldAndView();
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Directly set or get the world matrix this also updates the view matrix
    /// </summary>
    public Matrix World
    {
        get
        {
            return camerasWorld;
        }
        set
        {
            camerasWorld = value;
            viewMatrix = Matrix.CreateLookAt(camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Forward + camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Up);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the view matrix we never really set the view matrix ourselves outside this method just get it.
    /// The view matrix is remade internally when we know the world matrix forward or position is altered.
    /// </summary>
    public Matrix View
    {
        get
        {
            return viewMatrix;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the projection matrix.
    /// </summary>
    public Matrix Projection
    {
        get
        {
            return projectionMatrix;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// When the cameras position or orientation changes, we call this to ensure that the cameras world matrix is orthanormal.
    /// We also set the up depending on our choices of is fix or free camera and we then update the view matrix.
    /// </summary>
    private void ReCreateWorldAndView()
    {
        if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FIXED)
            up = Vector3.Up;
        if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_UI_OPTION_EDIT_LAYOUT )
            up = camerasWorld.Up;

        camerasWorld = Matrix.CreateWorld(camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Forward, up);
        viewMatrix = Matrix.CreateLookAt(camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Forward + camerasWorld.Translation, camerasWorld.Up);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Changes the perspective matrix to a new near far and field of view.
    /// </summary>
    public void ReCreateThePerspectiveProjectionMatrix(GraphicsDevice gd, float fovInDegrees)
    {
        projectionMatrix = Matrix.CreatePerspectiveFieldOfView(fovInDegrees * (float)((3.14159265358f) / 180f), gd.Viewport.Width / gd.Viewport.Height, .05f, 1000f);
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// Changes the perspective matrix to a new near far and field of view.
    /// The projection matrix is typically only set up once at the start of the app.
    /// </summary>
    public void ReCreateThePerspectiveProjectionMatrix(float fieldOfViewInDegrees, float nearPlane, float farPlane)
    {
        // create the projection matrix.
        this.fieldOfViewDegrees = MathHelper.ToRadians(fieldOfViewInDegrees);
        nearClipPlane = nearPlane;
        farClipPlane = farPlane;
        float aspectRatio = graphicsDevice.Viewport.Width / (float)graphicsDevice.Viewport.Height;
        projectionMatrix = Matrix.CreatePerspectiveFieldOfView(this.fieldOfViewDegrees, aspectRatio, nearClipPlane, farClipPlane);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// update the camera.
    /// </summary>
    public void Update(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        if (fpsKeyboardLayout == CAM_UI_OPTION_FPS_LAYOUT)
            FpsUiControlsLayout(gameTime);
        if (fpsKeyboardLayout == CAM_UI_OPTION_EDIT_LAYOUT)
            EditingUiControlsLayout(gameTime);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// like a fps games camera right clicking turns mouse look on or off same for the edit mode.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="gameTime"></param>
    private void FpsUiControlsLayout(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        MouseState state = Mouse.GetState(gameWindow);
        KeyboardState kstate = Keyboard.GetState();
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.W))
        {
            MoveForward(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.S) == true)
        {
            MoveBackward(gameTime);
        }
        // strafe. 
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.A) == true)
        {
            MoveLeft(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.D) == true)
        {
            MoveRight(gameTime);
        }

        // rotate 
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Left) == true)
        {
            RotateLeft(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Right) == true)
        {
            RotateRight(gameTime);
        }
        // rotate 
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Up) == true)
        {
            RotateUp(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Down) == true)
        {
            RotateDown(gameTime);
        }

        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Q) == true)
        {
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FIXED)
                MoveUpInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(gameTime);
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FREE)
                MoveUp(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.E) == true)
        {
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FIXED)
                MoveDownInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(gameTime);
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FREE)
                MoveDown(gameTime);
        }


        if (state.LeftButton == ButtonState.Pressed)
        {
            if (mouseLookIsUsed == false)
                mouseLookIsUsed = true;
            else
                mouseLookIsUsed = false;
        }
        if (mouseLookIsUsed)
        {
            Vector2 diff = state.Position.ToVector2() - mState.Position.ToVector2();
            if (diff.X != 0f)
                RotateLeftOrRight(gameTime, diff.X);
            if (diff.Y != 0f)
                RotateUpOrDown(gameTime, diff.Y);
        }
        mState = state;
        kbState = kstate;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// when working like programing editing and stuff.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="gameTime"></param>
    private void EditingUiControlsLayout(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        MouseState state = Mouse.GetState(gameWindow);
        KeyboardState kstate = Keyboard.GetState();
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.E))
        {
            MoveForward(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Q) == true)
        {
            MoveBackward(gameTime);
        }
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.W))
        {
            RotateUp(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.S) == true)
        {
            RotateDown(gameTime);
        }
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.A) == true)
        {
            RotateLeft(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.D) == true)
        {
            RotateRight(gameTime);
        }

        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Left) == true)
        {
            MoveLeft(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Right) == true)
        {
            MoveRight(gameTime);
        }
        // rotate 
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Up) == true)
        {
            MoveUp(gameTime);
        }
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Down) == true)
        {
            MoveDown(gameTime);
        }

        // roll counter clockwise
        if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.Z) == true)
        {
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FREE)
                RotateRollCounterClockwise(gameTime);
        }
        // roll clockwise
        else if (kstate.IsKeyDown(Keys.C) == true)
        {
            if (cameraTypeOption == CAM_TYPE_OPTION_FREE)
                RotateRollClockwise(gameTime);
        }

        if (state.RightButton == ButtonState.Pressed)
                mouseLookIsUsed = true;
        else
            mouseLookIsUsed = false;
        if (mouseLookIsUsed)
        {
            Vector2 diff = state.Position.ToVector2() - mState.Position.ToVector2();
            if (diff.X != 0f)
                RotateLeftOrRight(gameTime, diff.X);
            if (diff.Y != 0f)
                RotateUpOrDown(gameTime, diff.Y);
        }
        mState = state;
        kbState = kstate;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// This function can be used to check if gimble is about to occur in a fixed camera.
    /// If this value returns 1.0f you are in a state of gimble lock, However even as it gets near to 1.0f you are in danger of problems.
    /// In this case you should interpolate towards a free camera. Or begin to handle it.
    /// Earlier then .9 in some manner you deem to appear fitting otherwise you will get a hard spin effect. Though you may want that.
    /// </summary>
    public float GetGimbleLockDangerValue()
    {
        var c0 = Vector3.Dot(World.Forward, World.Up);
        if (c0 < 0f) c0 = -c0;
        return c0;
    }
    
    #region Local Translations and Rotations.

    public void MoveForward(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Forward * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveBackward(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Backward * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveLeft(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Left * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveRight(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Right * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveUp(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Up * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveDown(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (camerasWorld.Down * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }

    public void RotateUp(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Right, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateDown(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Right, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateLeft(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Up, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateRight(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Up, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateRollClockwise(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        var pos = camerasWorld.Translation;
        camerasWorld *= Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Forward, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        camerasWorld.Translation = pos;
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateRollCounterClockwise(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        var radians = -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        var pos = camerasWorld.Translation;
        camerasWorld *= Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Forward, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        camerasWorld.Translation = pos;
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }

    // just for example this is the same as the above rotate left or right.
    public void RotateLeftOrRight(GameTime gameTime, float amount)
    {
        var radians = amount * -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Up, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    public void RotateUpOrDown(GameTime gameTime, float amount)
    {
        var radians = amount * -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(camerasWorld.Right, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    } 

    #endregion

    #region Non Local System Translations and Rotations.

    public void MoveForwardInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Forward * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveBackwardsInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Backward * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveUpInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Up * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveDownInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Down * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveLeftInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Left * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }
    public void MoveRightInNonLocalSystemCoordinates(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        Position += (Vector3.Right * MovementUnitsPerSecond) * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// These aren't typically useful and you would just use create world for a camera snap to a new view. I leave them for completeness.
    /// </summary>
    public void NonLocalRotateLeftOrRight(GameTime gameTime, float amount)
    {
        var radians = amount * -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(Vector3.Up, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }
    /// <summary>
    /// These aren't typically useful and you would just use create world for a camera snap to a new view.  I leave them for completeness.
    /// </summary>
    public void NonLocalRotateUpOrDown(GameTime gameTime, float amount)
    {
        var radians = amount * -RotationRadiansPerSecond * (float)gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        Matrix matrix = Matrix.CreateFromAxisAngle(Vector3.Right, MathHelper.ToRadians(radians));
        LookAtDirection = Vector3.TransformNormal(LookAtDirection, matrix);
        ReCreateWorldAndView();
    }

    #endregion
}
6 Likes

@willmotil Thx for this example.
This was extremly helpful and my first contact to 3D cameras.

While playing around with it i found the aspect ratio being off by quite a bit.
I tracked it down .

For anyone which uses this example.

    /// <summary>
    /// Changes the perspective matrix to a new near far and field of view.
    /// </summary>
    public void ReCreateThePerspectiveProjectionMatrix(GraphicsDevice gd, float fovInDegrees)
    {
        projectionMatrix = Matrix.CreatePerspectiveFieldOfView(fovInDegrees * (float)((3.14159265358f) / 180f), gd.Viewport.Width / gd.Viewport.Height, .05f, 1000f);
    }

should be

    /// <summary>
    /// Changes the perspective matrix to a new near far and field of view.
    /// </summary>
    public void ReCreateThePerspectiveProjectionMatrix(GraphicsDevice gd, float fovInDegrees)
    {
        float aspectRatio = graphicsDevice.Viewport.Width / (float)graphicsDevice.Viewport.Height;
        projectionMatrix = Matrix.CreatePerspectiveFieldOfView(fovInDegrees * (float)((3.14159265358f) / 180f), aspectRatio, .05f, 1000f);
    }

to avoid fractions being trucated while deviding int by int.

Alexander

Heyy, ik you gave us already the code to create a Camera but can you maybe do a Camera Lib it would very usefull :slight_smile:

What like a nuget ? Never did one before maybe it would make for a nice little project.
As well to make a better camera class i have some better flush out ideas for a cinematic camera and to line up a 3d camera with a 2d view.

If you need help with making the library, I can give you tips, including how to automate the release to NuGet.

I just wanted to express my deep and sincere thanks for this code. Having this posted here is a true treasure trove of useful knowledge that is absolutely quintessential and instrumental to anyone looking to begin a 3D journey into Monogame. First stumbled onto this about 3 years ago maybe, and it’s still the backbone to everything I understand about virtual 3D cameras. Thank you so much.