Configuring Camera Utils Third Person Cameras, Presets, and Smoothness
Camera Utils lets you replace the standard third person view with two custom cameras, each with its own preset, distance behavior, and smoothness controls. Everything is handled through the mod's settings interface and its hotkeys rather than through crafting or items.
Opening the Settings
The Camera Utils Settings screen is the starting point for all configuration. Open it to reach the options for both custom cameras, the cinematic camera, zoom behavior, and the shared third person settings. Each area is grouped separately, so you can adjust one camera without disturbing the other.
The Two Custom Cameras
Camera Utils provides Custom Third Person Camera 1 and Custom Third Person Camera 2. These are two independent camera slots, and each one has its own settings screen: Custom Third Person Camera 1 Settings and Custom Third Person Camera 2 Settings. Because they are separate, you can tune one camera for a close, tight view and the other for a wider angle, then switch between them using their respective hotkeys.
To use a camera, trigger the action with the corresponding hotkey (set it in the controls menu). The same applies when you want to leave that view.
Presets
Each custom camera has a Third Person Camera Preset setting. The preset determines the camera's overall behavior, so picking a preset is the quickest way to change how a camera feels before you fine-tune anything else. Both cameras expose this preset option independently.
Distance and Distance Modifiers
How far the camera sits from your character is controlled through the distance settings. The Third Person Distance option sets the base distance, and Third Person Distance Blocks expresses that distance in blocks so you can judge the value in familiar units.
On top of the base distance, there is a Third Person Distance Modifier. This modifier adjusts the distance rather than replacing it, letting you shift the camera closer or further out from whatever the base distance is. The Cinematic Camera Modifier works the same way for the cinematic camera, giving that view its own distance adjustment.
Movement Smoothness
Movement Smoothness controls how fluidly the camera follows your movement. Raising or lowering this value changes how much the camera glides versus responding immediately, which is useful when you want a steadier view while moving around.
Cinematic Camera
The cinematic camera has its own dedicated section, Cinematic Camera Settings, along with the Cinematic Camera Modifier for its distance. Configure it separately from the two custom third person cameras if you want a distinct look for cinematic shots.
Third Person and Zoom Settings
Shared behavior for third person views lives under Third Person Settings. Zoom behavior is handled by Zoom Animation Settings, which covers how the zoom transition behaves.
Two scroll-related controls affect zooming:
- Zoom Scroll Sensitivity — how strongly scrolling changes the zoom level.
- Scroll Sensitivity Blocks — the scroll sensitivity expressed in blocks.
Adjust these if zooming feels too fast or too slow when you scroll.
A Practical Order
A simple way to set things up: open Camera Utils Settings, choose a Third Person Camera Preset for each of the two custom cameras in their individual settings screens, then set Third Person Distance and fine-tune with the Third Person Distance Modifier. Finish by adjusting Movement Smoothness to taste, and set the hotkeys for each camera in the controls menu. Repeat for the cinematic camera using its own settings and modifier if you use that view.