flythrough

A flythrough is a motion sequence in which a camera moves through a three-dimensional scene to simulate traveling through space. It can occur in computer-generated environments, pre-rendered animation, or live-action footage augmented with digital elements. Flythroughs are used to reveal layout, scale, and spatial relationships, and they are common in architectural visualization, film, and visual effects.

In architectural visualization, a flythrough lets clients explore a building or development as a virtual tour before construction begins. In film and television, it serves as an establishing shot or a way to convey large interiors and complex spaces that would be difficult to shoot in reality. In video games and virtual reality, flythroughs function as cinematic sequences or guided experiences that immerse the viewer in a world, sometimes transitioning to interactive gameplay. In geographic information systems and scientific visualization, flythroughs traverse terrain, urban models, or data volumes to reveal patterns and relationships.

Creating a flythrough involves planning a camera path, often using spline curves or motion paths, and then setting keyframes or using real-time camera controls. The process includes adjusting pacing, easing, and sometimes adding dynamic effects such as lighting changes, wind, or motion blur. Common production tools include Blender, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Unreal Engine, and Unity, with workflows ranging from offline rendering to real-time streaming.

Considerations for flythroughs include viewer comfort, especially in long or fast sequences, and the balance between motion tempo and clarity. Quality outcomes depend on accurate modeling, lighting, textures, and the smoothness of the camera trajectory.