It is stated in the comments that they use some “custom solution”, still no
offical API support. They also say using their method can cause issues while
flying, but it’s working good enough for this walk around feature.
While the subject of views is up again, I’ll revive my one simple request.
Camera.cfg docs say you can turn off the transition between custom views.
- The switches in the camera.cfg do not work for this
- It must be doable because:
- The default taxi sequences switch between drone views without transitions
- Switching from internal to external view occurs without transition
1 Like
I would love to know where we’re at on this 558 days later. Thank you!
1 Like
Agree 100%. I still fly XPlane esp now I purchased V12 and the updated
X-Camera . Every time I use my interior and exterior views it reminds me of
how simple it should be in MSFS. Please add my vote to your request to
Asobo/Microsoft to make available a means to make it happen
Can’t believe this feature has never been prioritized, even though it’s an
obvious benefit for the entire community. I hope they are working on it behind
the scenes.
Hello, A camera API for 3rd party developers is essential and will allow them
to create immersive addons like ChasePlane which will allow us to easily
configure default cameras for each aircraft; to create personalized cameras in
the cockpit, in the cabin and also outside the aircraft; create cinematic
cameras (qui se déplace toute seule autour de l’avion de façon cinématique);
and also add camera effects such as take-off and landing shake. Currently, it
is difficult to create views outside the aircraft by modifying the camera.cfg
file, and we can see black textures appear at the cockpit level (as in the
video above) because the simulator thinks that we are still in the virtual
cockpit and therefore does not know that we are outside the plane. It is also
complicated to configure the default views for each aircraft. It is therefore
for all these reasons that it would be very useful to open a camera API for
3rd developers to allow them to develop addons such as ChasePlane and to solve
all these problems. Kind regards, Charles
1 Like
Eagerly waiting on any news on this feature 
I’d really like to be able to
programmatically (via SimConnect) set the camera with 6DoF. Possibly also in
relation to the user aircraft, that is its center of gravity, for use cases
like: * camera circles around aircraft (relatively speaking, but would always
move together with the aircraft and possibly also tilt with the aircraft) *
camera is located under a given jet engine And also possibly to lock the
“object of interest” (the user aircraft in most cases), such that tilt and
rotation would be automatically computed based on the camera and object
position. But a simple API to set the world coordinates (lat/lon/alt together
with “camera attitude”: pitch, bank and heading) would already be a good
start. Because then we could at least do our own computations and update the
camera position (with those 6 degrees of freedom) ourselves.
So, everyone who comes here asking for a Camera.API… please state what that
means to you. I’m sure Asobo would love to consider doing this, but, if they
don’t know what you want, how can they? The only person I see stating what
this API should be able to do is @runshotgun .
Is his list in the OP all everyone is asking for, or do you expect more?
1 Like
With70 likes and being the most voted API request on the site I think it is
irrelevant… In any case I stated many times via other post why I would like
this, it has been done progressively every time I find a limitation with the
cameras. Some samples: https://devsupport.flightsimulator.com/t/4199
https://devsupport.flightsimulator.com/t/3878
https://devsupport.flightsimulator.com/t/3565
https://devsupport.flightsimulator.com/t/4190 These are just a few, If I had
a Camera API among the lines requested on this idea, all my problems would go
away I could move the cameras the way I want to do anything I want and any
point I need. Giving me not only best development workflows but incredible
results for my end users since the effects I could put on my products would
make a incredible big difference. Sometimes people don’t want to post public
why they need something in particular, it is a very competitive market and
they don’t want others stealing their ideas, therefore saying that if we don’t
state what it means to US makes the idea less desirable for Asobo doesn’t make
any sense, the entire point of the “LIKE” (Vote) system is to allow developers
to express interest without having to disclose in a public forum their entire
plans of what they want to do with it. Best, Raul
2 Likes
2 years have passed, any update from Asobo? Just feel like they did not care
about that.
Please give access to the camera system to the community devs. It would add so
much Immersion for instance if you create drag by deploying the gear or flaps.
Or if you do aerobatics. Or imagine how soaring and bush flying with the new
thermals and turbulences could improve. Open the door or canopy in flight and
see what happens. The wind will rattle you making it nearly impossible to read
the instruments. Or as with RealAirs aircraft, if you overspeed with extended
flaps and you break it, feel the shake for the rest of the flight. Just
imagine the difference of flying straight with an open plane well hidden
behind the wind shield vs. Doing a side slip. Etc. There are so much ways how
an open camera system could be used by community devs to add Immersion to this
great sim. Still hoping for your support and kind regards, Joe
1 Like
Please bring in chaseplane nother better for a camera system . The MFS camara
is chunky missing full of functions , you can even save a external views in
external mode . basic things that cant be done , its amazing that microsoft &
Asbo don’t understand this . They should put all their efforts in making
performance and stability better and leave the weather , camera and other api
to developers that know what they are doing .
2 Likes
It is now more than 3 years since MSFS 2020 was released, but still info about Camera API from MS/ASOBO. It seems like everyone asking for Camera API have given up on MS/ASOBO.
Not even taking the time to update the misleading Camera API info in the SDK documetation just shows MS/ASOBOs lack of customer support.
All MS/ASOBO resouces are probably all working with the new MSFS2024 game features and do not have time for fixing basic features.
2 Likes
It’s so disappointing that we’ve yet to hear anything from Asobo on this. The camera API is for me, the only thing I’m waiting for. I became so reliant on ChasePlane that not having that control of where I want to look, when I want to look there has been a big frustration and immersion killer for me.
I’m really looking forward to MSFS2024, but I won’t be upgrading until I’ve seen some movement on this issue because sometimes it puts me off even loading the sim up. The longer I wait, the more tempting it is to to dig out P3D again.
The moment I hear that it’s being implemented, I’ll have the biggest grin on my face!
3 Likes
Any progress on this? At least in the sense that this idea got picked up for further internal discussion, and possible inclusion in any subsequent iteration of MSFS?
4 Likes
Bumping again. We really need this for future apps to allow better camera controls.
3 Likes
2 years 9 months have passed and still no update… Really not sure if that kind of API will be appear even on MSFS 2024…
4 Likes
Still cant believe MFS is holding back on the development of chaseplane 
Forget about chaseplane, it is holding back all 3rd party aircraft and scenery developers.
The bare minimum we need and we are asking as 3rd party developers for airplanes is to just move a camera position at will (X, Y, Z) and rotate it at will (P, B, H)… that’s it…
I cannot comprehend sometimes why this would be so difficult to implement? with these 2 functionalities, pretty much we can move things forward towards any direction, from our own camera shakes, airplanes walks around, custom products showcase, etc, etc. the applications are endless… it would open an entire new world of improvements for the entire MSFS customer base.
I will keep dreaming one day this will happen…
Best,
Raul
4 Likes
ChasePlane handled lots of that so aircraft devs didn’t have to learn how or spend the time doing so. Let’s not forget about the broad features it offered. Certainly this will benefit everyone, which is why the original question doesn’t mention ChasePlane but instead a lack of SDK features…but no, let’s not forget about ChasePlane. 
3 Likes