Camera System

Guide for working with scripted cameras in FiveM, including spline cameras for smooth cinematic movements.

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Spline Camera Example

Spline cameras allow you to create smooth camera movements through multiple waypoints (nodes).

Basic Setup

local testcam = nil

RegisterCommand('camtest', function()
    local testcam = CreateCam("DEFAULT_SPLINE_CAMERA", false)
    SetCamActive(testcam, false)

    AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera(testcam, CreateCamWithParams("DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA", -185.0473, 6307.0806, 300.0, -90.0, 0.0, 45.0, 70.0, true, 2), 5000, 3)
    AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera(testcam, CreateCamWithParams("DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA", -222.3541, 6306.7422, 45.0, -75.0, 0.0, 45.0, 70.0, true, 2), 15000, 3)
    AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera(testcam, CreateCamWithParams("DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA", -242.4302, 6326.2070, 32.0, 0.0, 0.0, 45.0, 70.0, true, 2), 5000, 3)

    -- Optional: Set total duration
    -- SetCamSplineDuration(testcam, 5000)

    SetCamActive(testcam, true)
    RenderScriptCams(true, false, 3000, true, false, 0)
end, false)

RegisterCommand('camstop', function()
    SetCamActive(testcam, false)
    RenderScriptCams(false, false, 3000, true, false, 0) -- Stop rendering the camera
end, false)

Parameters Explained

CreateCamWithParams:

CreateCamWithParams(
    "DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA",  -- Camera type
    x, y, z,                     -- Position coordinates
    rotX, rotY, rotZ,            -- Rotation angles
    fov,                         -- Field of view (degrees)
    active,                      -- Start as active
    rotationOrder                -- Rotation order (2 = default)
)

AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera:

AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera(
    splineCam,      -- The spline camera handle
    nodeCamera,     -- Camera defining this node's position/rotation/FOV
    duration,       -- Time to reach this node (milliseconds)
    smoothing       -- Smoothing factor (higher = smoother, 3 recommended)
)

RenderScriptCams:

RenderScriptCams(
    render,         -- true to enable, false to disable
    ease,           -- Ease transition
    easeTime,       -- Transition duration (milliseconds)
    lockInterp,     -- Lock interpolation
    unk1,           -- Unknown (usually false)
    unk2            -- Unknown (usually 0)
)

---

Simple Static Camera

For a basic fixed camera without spline movement:

local cam = CreateCam("DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA", true)
SetCamCoord(cam, x, y, z)
SetCamRot(cam, rotX, rotY, rotZ, 2)
SetCamFov(cam, 50.0)
SetCamActive(cam, true)
RenderScriptCams(true, true, 1000, true, false, 0)

-- To stop:
SetCamActive(cam, false)
DestroyCam(cam, true)
RenderScriptCams(false, true, 1000, true, false, 0)

---

Point Camera at Entity

local cam = CreateCam("DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA", true)
SetCamCoord(cam, x, y, z)
PointCamAtEntity(cam, entity, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, true)
SetCamActive(cam, true)
RenderScriptCams(true, true, 1000, true, false, 0)

---

Camera Shake Effects

-- Add shake to camera
ShakeCam(cam, "HAND_SHAKE", intensity)

-- Stop shake
StopCamShaking(cam, true)

-- Available shake types:
-- "HAND_SHAKE", "SMALL_EXPLOSION_SHAKE", "MEDIUM_EXPLOSION_SHAKE"
-- "LARGE_EXPLOSION_SHAKE", "JOLT_SHAKE", "VIBRATE_SHAKE"
-- "ROAD_VIBRATION_SHAKE", "DRUNK_SHAKE", "SKY_DIVING_SHAKE"

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Best Practices

1. Always Clean Up: Destroy cameras when no longer needed to prevent memory leaks

   if DoesCamExist(cam) then
       DestroyCam(cam, true)
   end
   

2. Store Camera Handles: Use module-level variables to track active cameras

3. Smooth Transitions: Use appropriate ease times in RenderScriptCams()

4. Test FOV Values: Start with 50-70 FOV, adjust based on desired effect

5. Disable Controls: Consider disabling player controls during cinematic sequences

   DisableAllControlActions(0)
   EnableControlAction(0, 1, true)  -- Enable camera look (if needed)
   EnableControlAction(0, 2, true)
   

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Common Camera Types

• DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_CAMERA - Standard fixed camera
• DEFAULT_SPLINE_CAMERA - Smooth path camera with multiple nodes
• DEFAULT_ANIMATED_CAMERA - Camera with animation support

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Troubleshooting

Camera not switching: - Ensure SetCamActive(cam, true) is called before RenderScriptCams() - Check that camera handle is valid with DoesCamExist(cam)

Jerky movement: - Increase smoothing factor in AddCamSplineNodeUsingCamera() (use 3 or higher) - Ensure sufficient duration between nodes

Camera stuck: - Always call RenderScriptCams(false, ...) to return to normal gameplay camera - Destroy camera handles with DestroyCam() when done