Batch BG Cams

Batch BG Cams is a workflow accelerator for Layout Artists, Matchmovers, and Animators. It automates the tedious process of setting up multiple cameras based on video clips (plates) and organizing them on the timeline.

• Smart Placement: Choose how new clips are added to the timeline:
  • Append to End: Automatically finds the end of your current sequence and places new clips strictly after the last one.
  • At Cursor: Starts the sequence exactly where your playhead is.
  • Manual: Starts strictly at a defined frame number.
• Auto Setup: Creates a camera for each clip, sets the correct resolution, and sets up the background image reference (Opacity, Depth).
• Gap Control: Add empty frames (handles) between clips automatically.

• Token Pattern: Use # placeholders to auto-number your cameras.
  • Example: Seq01_Shot_### becomes Seq01_Shot_001, Seq01_Shot_002, etc.
• Search & Replace: Clean up filenames on import (e.g., remove _plate suffixes).
• Keep Filename: Use the exact name of the video file.

• Reorder Selected: Selected cameras in the wrong order? One click sorts them alphabetically by name and re-stacks them on the timeline cleanly (including markers and background offsets).
• Marker Binding: Automatically creates timeline markers and binds the cameras to them for seamless camera switching during playback.

1. In the 3D Viewport, press N to open the Sidebar.
2. Click the Batch BG tab.
3. Choose your Placement Mode (Append is recommended).
4. Set your Naming Mode (e.g., use Pattern Shot_##).
5. Click Import Clips and select your video files.

1. Select the cameras you want to fix in the 3D View or Outliner.
2. Go to the Maintenance box at the bottom of the panel.
3. Set the Reorder Start Frame.
4. Click Reorder Selected Cams.

Tested with Blender 4.x and 5.x (Alpha).

1. Download the batch_bg_cams.zip file.
2. Open Blender (4.0 or later).
3. Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.
4. Click Install... (or drop the zip file if using Blender 4.2+).
5. Select the zip file and click Install Add-on.
6. Enable the checkbox for Batch BG Cams.