Better Cameras - Changelog

[2.0.0] - 2025-01-XX

🎉 Major Release - Version 2.0.0

A complete overhaul of the Better Cameras addon with improved stability, bug fixes, and refined camera mechanics.

✨ New Features

New Camera Modes Added:

• Spiral Ascend Camera - Camera spirals upward around the player with dynamic height and radius changes
  • Starts at 5 blocks radius, expands to 8 blocks
  • Rises from 2 blocks to 17 blocks high
  • Automatically completes after full spiral motion
  • Perfect for dramatic reveal shots and player introductions

🔧 Improvements

Side-Scroll View Enhanced:

• Auto-rotation feature - Player now automatically faces South when activated
  • Ensures consistent 2D platformer view every time
  • Eliminates camera direction inconsistencies
  • Works 100% reliably regardless of initial player rotation
• Fixed camera angle - Locked at 270° (facing West) for perfect side view
• Improved positioning - Camera now at proper eye level (1.5 blocks)

Camera Distance Optimizations:

• Increased default distances for better framing
• Reduced camera flipping issues with optimized positioning
• Smoother tracking across all camera modes

UI/UX Improvements:

• Updated welcome message to show version 2.0.0
• Better formatted success messages with icons (✓, ✗)
• More descriptive camera activation messages
• Improved menu descriptions for clarity

Performance Optimizations:

• Cleaner code structure with removed unused functions
• Better memory management with proper cleanup
• Optimized update loop for smoother camera transitions
• Reduced redundant calculations in tracking logic

🐛 Bug Fixes

Critical Fixes:

• Fixed syntax error - Removed duplicate function definitions causing module load failures
• Fixed camera flipping - Eliminated 180° rotation discontinuity issues
• Fixed side-scroll inconsistency - Camera now always positioned correctly regardless of player rotation

Camera-Specific Fixes:

• Shoulder Cam - Improved positioning to actual right shoulder location

  • Better offset calculations (0.5 blocks right, 0.5 blocks forward)
  • Proper height at 1.55 blocks (true shoulder level)
  • Smoother low-sensitivity tracking (15% camera movement)

• Top-Down View - Better vertical angle for clearer overhead view

  • Perfect 90° downward angle
  • Follows player position smoothly

• Freeze Camera - More reliable position locking

  • Better initial placement
  • Improved "Return Camera to Me" functionality

• Spiral Ascend - Enhanced tracking focus

  • Always keeps player centered in frame
  • Proper pitch calculation for vertical camera movement
  • Smooth progression from start to finish

❌ Removed Features

• Removed: Cinematic Orbit Camera
  • Replaced with improved Spiral Ascend camera
  • Spiral Ascend provides better cinematic effect with rising motion
  • Original orbit stayed at fixed height, new spiral adds vertical movement

🎮 Current Camera Modes (9 Total)

1. First Person - Standard Minecraft view
2. Third Person (Back) - Behind player perspective
3. Third Person (Front) - Facing player perspective
4. Top-Down View - Bird's eye view (5-80 blocks customizable)
5. Side-Scroll View - 2D platformer style (5-40 blocks customizable)
6. Shoulder Cam - Over-the-shoulder view with low camera sensitivity
7. Freeze Camera - Lock camera at current position
8. Spiral Ascend - Rising spiral cinematic motion (NEW!)
9. Clear Camera - Return to normal view

📋 Technical Changes

API Updates:

• Using @minecraft/server version 2.3.0-beta
• Using @minecraft/server-ui version 2.1.0-beta
• Minimum engine version: 1.21.30
• Requires "Beta APIs" experiment enabled

Code Quality:

• Removed all duplicate function definitions
• Cleaned up unused camera handler code
• Better error handling with try-catch blocks
• Improved variable naming for clarity
• More consistent code formatting

Manifest Updates:

• Version updated to 2.0.0 in all locations
• Updated description with version number
• Added metadata section with author attribution
• Preserved all UUIDs for compatibility

🔮 Known Issues

• Side-Scroll View: Player is automatically rotated to face South when activated (intentional behavior)
• Spiral Ascend: Camera completes after one full spiral (auto-deactivates)
• All Cameras: Require "Beta APIs" experiment to be enabled in world settings

💡 Tips for Users

• Rename stick exactly - Must be "Camera Control" with capital C's, no extra spaces
• Enable Beta APIs - Required in world settings under Experiments
• OneDrive compatible - Place in development_behavior_packs folder
• Try Spiral Ascend - Great for showcasing builds and dramatic player reveals
• Use Side-Scroll - Perfect for parkour courses and platformer-style gameplay