Player Camera API (apiplayercamera)

The Player Camera API provides powerful camera manipulation for implementing third-person views, spectator modes, cinematic cameras, and dynamic camera effects.

Reference: See README.md for complete documentation and examples.

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Overview

This API allows you to:

• Activate and deactivate custom player cameras
• Control camera offsets, angles, and distances
• Set target entities for camera focus
• Lock camera axes for stable views
• Adjust camera smoothness with damping

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Core Functions

Activate/Deactivate Camera

// Enable custom camera for player
PlayerCamera_Activate(pPlayer);

// Disable custom camera
PlayerCamera_Deactivate(pPlayer);

// Check if camera is active
if (PlayerCamera_IsActive(pPlayer)) {
  // Camera is enabled
}

Set Camera Position

// Set offset from player
new Float:vecOffset[3] = {0.0, 0.0, 50.0}; // Above player
PlayerCamera_SetOffset(pPlayer, vecOffset);

// Set camera angles
new Float:vecAngles[3] = {15.0, 0.0, 0.0}; // Looking down
PlayerCamera_SetAngles(pPlayer, vecAngles);

// Set distance from player
PlayerCamera_SetDistance(pPlayer, 100.0);

Get Camera Origin

new Float:vecCameraOrigin[3];
PlayerCamera_GetOrigin(pPlayer, vecCameraOrigin);

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Camera Settings

Axis Lock

Restrict camera movement on specific axes:

// Lock pitch and roll, allow yaw rotation
PlayerCamera_SetAxisLock(pPlayer, true, false, true);

Parameters: bLockPitch, bLockYaw, bLockRoll

Target Entity

Focus camera on specific entity:

// Camera follows target entity
PlayerCamera_SetTargetEntity(pPlayer, pTargetEntity);

Think Delay

Adjust camera update frequency:

// Update every 0.1 seconds (balance performance vs smoothness)
PlayerCamera_SetThinkDelay(pPlayer, 0.1);

Damping (Smoothness)

Control camera movement smoothness:

// 0.0 = no movement, 0.5 = smooth, 1.0 = instant
PlayerCamera_SetDamping(pPlayer, 0.5);

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Common Patterns

Third-Person Camera

ActivateThirdPersonCamera(const pPlayer) {
  PlayerCamera_Activate(pPlayer);

  // Position behind and above player
  new Float:vecOffset[3] = {0.0, -50.0, 30.0};
  PlayerCamera_SetOffset(pPlayer, vecOffset);

  // Look slightly down
  new Float:vecAngles[3] = {10.0, 0.0, 0.0};
  PlayerCamera_SetAngles(pPlayer, vecAngles);

  PlayerCamera_SetDistance(pPlayer, 150.0);
  PlayerCamera_SetDamping(pPlayer, 0.7);
}

Toggle Camera Command

public plugin_init() {
  register_clcmd("say /camera", "Command_ToggleCamera");
}

public Command_ToggleCamera(const pPlayer) {
  if (PlayerCamera_IsActive(pPlayer)) {
    PlayerCamera_Deactivate(pPlayer);
    client_print(pPlayer, print_chat, "Camera deactivated");
  } else {
    PlayerCamera_Activate(pPlayer);
    PlayerCamera_SetDistance(pPlayer, 100.0);
    client_print(pPlayer, print_chat, "Camera activated");
  }

  return PLUGIN_HANDLED;
}

Spectator Camera

SpectatePlayer(const pSpectator, const pTarget) {
  if (!is_user_alive(pTarget)) return;

  PlayerCamera_Activate(pSpectator);
  PlayerCamera_SetTargetEntity(pSpectator, pTarget);
  PlayerCamera_SetDistance(pSpectator, 150.0);
  PlayerCamera_SetDamping(pSpectator, 0.5);

  client_print(pSpectator, print_chat, "Spectating player");
}

Fixed Angle Camera

ActivateFixedCamera(const pPlayer) {
  PlayerCamera_Activate(pPlayer);

  // Lock all axes for completely fixed view
  PlayerCamera_SetAxisLock(pPlayer, true, true, true);

  // Set specific viewing angle
  new Float:vecAngles[3] = {45.0, 0.0, 0.0};
  PlayerCamera_SetAngles(pPlayer, vecAngles);

  PlayerCamera_SetDistance(pPlayer, 200.0);
}

Cinematic Camera

ActivateCinematicCamera(const pPlayer, const Float:vecTarget[3]) {
  PlayerCamera_Activate(pPlayer);

  // Smooth movement for cinematic feel
  PlayerCamera_SetDamping(pPlayer, 0.3);
  PlayerCamera_SetThinkDelay(pPlayer, 0.05);

  // High angle view
  new Float:vecOffset[3] = {0.0, 0.0, 100.0};
  PlayerCamera_SetOffset(pPlayer, vecOffset);
}

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Forwards

React to camera state changes:

// Called when camera is about to activate (can block by returning PLUGIN_HANDLED)
public PlayerCamera_OnActivate(const pPlayer) {
  // Can block activation
}

// Called after camera is activated
public PlayerCamera_OnActivated(const pPlayer) {
  client_print(pPlayer, print_chat, "Camera enabled");
}

// Called when camera is about to deactivate (can block by returning PLUGIN_HANDLED)
public PlayerCamera_OnDeactivate(const pPlayer) {
  // Can block deactivation
}

// Called after camera is deactivated
public PlayerCamera_OnDeactivated(const pPlayer) {
  client_print(pPlayer, print_chat, "Camera disabled");
}

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Integration Tips

Disable During Certain Actions

public HamHook_Player_TakeDamage(pPlayer, pInflictor, pAttacker, Float:flDamage, iDamageBits) {
  // Disable camera when taking damage
  if (PlayerCamera_IsActive(pPlayer)) {
    PlayerCamera_Deactivate(pPlayer);
  }

  return HAM_IGNORED;
}

Auto-Disable on Death

public client_death(pPlayer) {
  if (PlayerCamera_IsActive(pPlayer)) {
    PlayerCamera_Deactivate(pPlayer);
  }
}

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Checklist

• Activate camera before setting properties
• Set appropriate damping for smooth movement
• Use axis lock for stable cinematic views
• Handle camera deactivation on player death/disconnect
• Consider performance with think delay setting