To change views in BeamNG.drive, press C to cycle through your configured vehicle cameras; use Shift+C for Free Camera in the default beginner-guide controls. For a still image, open Photomode from the Escape menu. For a repeatable moving shot, use Path Camera with a replay. Controls can vary by game version and personal bindings, so check Esc → Controls → Camera if a shortcut does not work.
Which BeamNG.drive camera should you use?
Choose based on whether you want the view to follow the vehicle, whether you are composing a still or moving shot, and how much control you need over the camera’s position.
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|---|---|---|
| Orbit | Quick exterior angles | Anchored around the vehicle; rotate around it. |
| Driver | Driving from inside | Shows the view from inside the vehicle. |
| Onboard.Hood | Forward-facing driving view | Positioned at the front, with the interior hidden. |
| External | Changing exterior views | Follows the vehicle through changing views. |
| Relative | A following view from a chosen position | Follows from a custom position. |
| Chase | A following view that responds to vehicle movement | Follows vehicle roll and can be adjusted. |
| Top Down | Overhead views | Anchored above the vehicle. |
| Free Camera | Independent viewpoints around the map | Moves freely, independently of the vehicle. |
| Photomode camera | Composed stills | Enables smooth free camera and provides framing and image settings. |
| Path Camera | Repeatable, smooth moving shots | Uses markers to define a camera trajectory and timing. |
The seven vehicle modes and Free Camera descriptions are from BeamNG’s Beginner’s Guide. Photomode and Path Camera are separate tools for image and video workflows.
How to switch camera angles
- Press C to cycle through the camera modes in the configured order. The default sequence documented in BeamNG’s Beginner’s Guide is 1 Orbit, 2 Driver, 3 Onboard.Hood, 4 External, 5 Relative, 6 Chase, 7 Top Down.
- Press Shift+C to enter Free Camera under the default controls documented in that guide.
- To change the camera order, open Esc → Camera. To review or reassign camera controls, open Esc → Controls → Camera.
BeamNG v0.39 introduced separate rings for vehicle cameras and freeroam cameras. In the v0.39.3 and v0.39.4 release notes, Ctrl+C switches rings while C cycles within a ring. Those notes also describe sorting and enabling free cameras like vehicle cameras, Drone as a vehicle camera that supports camera controls, and new Steadycam options for shake strength, camera height, and default field of view. These version-specific details may not match older installations or customized bindings; verify them in your own Controls menu. See the BeamNG release notes.
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How to use Free Camera
Use Free Camera when a vehicle-following camera cannot reach the viewpoint you want—for example, when you need to position the camera independently around the map. The default controls listed in BeamNG’s keyboard bindings include numpad 2/4/6/8 for camera rotation, numpad 5 to center, and numpad 3/9 for zoom or free-camera vertical movement, depending on the mapped action. Shift+Page Up/Down are also listed for zoom.
- Open Esc → Controls to confirm the actions and bindings for your installed setup.
- Bindings can be changed in Options → Controls. Controller and other device bindings use their own input maps, and individual vehicles can add vehicle-specific actions.
- If a numpad key does not behave as expected, check the mapped action rather than assuming the same key has the same effect in every camera context.
How to compose a still image in Photomode
- Open the Escape menu and select Photomode.
- Move the smooth free camera with WASD. Hold the right mouse button and move the mouse to rotate the view.
- Adjust field of view, camera speed, and roll, then refine time of day, sun direction, and image effects as needed.
- Make small changes to camera distance and framing, and check that the car remains easy to distinguish from its background.
BeamNG’s Photomode documentation says, “When enabling Photomode, smooth free camera is enabled.” Changes made in Photomode are temporary and reset when it closes. See BeamNG’s Photomode documentation.
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- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for PlayStation 5, PS4 and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
As practical composition guidance, a low three-quarter angle can emphasize a vehicle’s stance; a front or rear three-quarter angle can show its body shape; and a higher or top-down angle can clarify its position and surroundings. These are framing suggestions, not guaranteed results.
How to make a smooth moving camera shot
Use Path Camera when you want a repeatable trajectory rather than a camera you steer by hand. Its markers define position, rotation, field of view, timing, and smoothing.
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- Press F11 to open the World Editor.
- Choose Camera Path Editor and set up markers along the route. Adjust their position, rotation, field of view, timing, and smoothing to shape the shot.
- Use Path Camera with a Replay when you want the camera movement tied to the replay timeline.
BeamNG explains the editor and marker controls in its Camera Path documentation.
How Replay fits into video capture
A Replay saves simulation data to a .rpl file; it is not a rendered video. The useful workflow is to record the simulation, reopen the replay, position or animate the camera, and capture the playback with screen-recording software. BeamNG warns that a replay may fail or play differently after changes to the vehicles involved or to the game version. For details, see the Replay documentation.
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When vehicle-camera settings are a modding task
Changing an angle in play is different from editing a vehicle’s camera definition. BeamNG’s vehicle-camera documentation describes cameraExternal as the orbit camera, cameraChase as the chase camera, and internal cameras for dashboard, hood, and custom views. Orbit-camera settings include distance, minimum distance, default rotation, focus offset, and field of view. Internal cameras use nodes and beams and can be configured to sway with vehicle forces.
These settings belong in JBeam vehicle configuration, not the ordinary in-game angle controls. Consult BeamNG’s vehicle-camera documentation if you are editing a mod or vehicle configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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