Chapter 16: Camera

Core Idea

Abstract base class for cameras. This class should always be inherited when you build a new camera.

Key Concepts

• coordinateSystem : WebGLCoordinateSystem | WebGPUCoordinateSystem: The coordinate system in which the camera is used.
• isCamera : boolean (readonly): This flag can be used for type testing.
• matrixWorldInverse : Matrix4: The inverse of the camera's world matrix.
• projectionMatrix : Matrix4: The camera's projection matrix.
• projectionMatrixInverse : Matrix4: The inverse of the camera's projection matrix.
• reversedDepth : boolean: The flag that indicates whether the camera uses a reversed depth buffer.

Reference Tables

Constructor

Signature
new Camera() (abstract)

Properties

Property	Description
`.coordinateSystem : WebGLCoordinateSystem	WebGPUCoordinateSystem`
.isCamera : boolean (readonly)	This flag can be used for type testing.
.matrixWorldInverse : Matrix4	The inverse of the camera's world matrix.
.projectionMatrix : Matrix4	The camera's projection matrix.
.projectionMatrixInverse : Matrix4	The inverse of the camera's projection matrix.
.reversedDepth : boolean	The flag that indicates whether the camera uses a reversed depth buffer.

Methods

Method	Description
.getWorldDirection( target : Vector3 ) : Vector3	Returns a vector representing the ("look") direction of the 3D object in world space.

Key Takeaways

1. Camera extends: EventDispatcher → Object3D
2. Most relevant properties: coordinateSystem, isCamera, matrixWorldInverse, projectionMatrix.
3. Key methods: getWorldDirection.

Connects To

• EventDispatcher: parent class
• Object3D: parent class
• Source: src/cameras/Camera.js