Automated Viewport Following for Process Videos

I record a lot of timelapse process videos in Blender. Traditionally, I'll just turn on OBS and start working, but this can be super jarring to watch once sped up after the fact.

I’ve built a new tool for Blender that's designed to help with smooth timelapse process videos. Perfect for showing off modeling progress, sculpting sessions, or any process where you want the viewport to track your work while you screen record.

What It Does

Timelapse Orbit automatically orbits your scene while keeping your subject framed and centered. It'll even track your selected face (or faces) in edit mode, so your screen recording never misses the action.

Key Features

• Automatic Zoom and Centering
  The viewport (not the render camera) tracks your subject to keep it perfectly framed as you work. Timelapse Orbit is designed to run in a separate Blender window, ideally on a second monitor, while you work in your main one.
• Easing Control
  Smooth out starts and stops with adjustable easing.
• Auto Zoom (%)
  Fine-tune how tight or wide your orbit feels (accounts for whatever view focal length you prefer to work with).
• Catch-Up Multiplier
  Camera keeps up even when you’re moving or changing the model in edit mode.
• Rate of Rotation
  Control how fast the orbit moves for the right pacing (set it ultra low if you plan to speed up your process in post).
• No keyframes. No animation. Undo safe.
• Timelapse orbit is super lightweight. It doesn't make any keyframes, it doesn't need the timeline to play. It's meant to stay out of the way while you get your work done. Undo, redo, animate, whatever you need to do. Hit record in something like OBS, start working in Blender, and forget it's even there.

How It Works

1. Set Your Parameters – Pick your zoom level, easing, and rotation speed.
2. Start the Orbit – Hit start, and the tool takes over.
3. Keep Working in a separate monitor – The camera orbits your timelapse viewport automatically and tracks your work while you model, sculpt, or texture in your working viewport.

The orbit is designed to run in a separate Blender window so it never interferes with your workflow.

Why I Made This

When recording process videos for YouTube or social media, I kept running into the same problem. I work too fast and my viewport flies around too sporadically for an enjoyable timelapse process video. This tool frees me to focus on creating while still producing dynamic, professional-looking workflow videos.

Get It

The Timelapse Orbit tool is available over on my Patreon. Supporters of the "Production Workshop" tier or higher get instant download access. Install as you would any other addon.

Roadmap

I have more timelapse orbit features planned! Among them:

• I want to create an activity indicator: A simple visual cue that will make editing your video after, easier. Quickly identify sections of the video to cut out.
• Popup operator displays: It'd be nice to get a display of current operations taking place in Blender. An optional feature that could help with educational Blender content.
• Tell me what you want to see: Ultimately, I'm making this tool for myself. That said, I'd love to hear your ideas as well. Let me know what features you want to see in the next version.

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