Time for action — tracking the boat

It's pretty natural that if you are watching a boat go by, you turn your head to follow it. The camera is no different. The Track to Constraint command lets you do just that:

1. Select the camera with theRMB.

2. Press the Shift key and theRMB to select the boat.

3. Press Ctrl+T to get the tracking menu. Select Track to Constraint.

4. Press Numpad 0 to get the camera's view.

5. Press Alt+A to preview the animation. Press Esc when you are done watching it.

6. Save the file with a unique name.

What just happened?

Tracking is very similar to parenting. Select the camera, then select what you want to track. Press Ctrl+T and select Track to Constraint, and the camera will follow the object you want to track.

Note

For your reference, the file 6907_06_boat_animated3.blend has the camera tracking the boat.

Have a go hero — tracking with a light

If you've seen an ice skater, you've probably seen them tracked by a spotlight. Try your hand at tracking an object in motion.

Change the light...