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Camera

The camera defines what part of the game world is visible on screen. It supports free positioning, zoom, smooth target following, and coordinate conversion between world and screen space.

The camera is owned by WolfEngine and accessed anywhere in game code through the global MainCamera() function.

Accessing the Camera

MainCamera().setPosition({ 0, 0 });
MainCamera().setZoom(2.0f);

Position

setPosition(Vec2 pos)

Instantly moves the camera to the given world position.

MainCamera().setPosition({ 100, 50 });

getPosition()

Returns the current camera position as a Vec2.

Vec2 pos = MainCamera().getPosition();

move(Vec2 delta)

Moves the camera by the given offset relative to its current position.

MainCamera().move({ 1, 0 });  // scroll right by 1 unit

Zoom

setZoom(float zoom)

Sets the zoom level directly. 1.0 is default, values above zoom in, values below zoom out. Minimum zoom is 0.1.

MainCamera().setZoom(2.0f);  // 2x zoom in

getZoom()

Returns the current zoom level.

zoomIn(float amount) / zoomOut(float amount)

Adjusts zoom by the given amount relative to current zoom.

MainCamera().zoomIn(0.5f);
MainCamera().zoomOut(0.5f);

zoomReset()

Resets zoom back to 1.0.

Target Following

The camera can follow a GameObject automatically every frame, either snapping directly or smoothly interpolating toward it.

setTarget(GameObject* target, float speed = 0.1f)

Sets a GameObject for the camera to follow. speed controls how quickly the camera catches up — 0.1 is a gentle follow, 1.0 snaps immediately. Called once in Start() typically.

void Start() override {
    MainCamera().setTarget(this);          // follow this object, default speed
    MainCamera().setTarget(this, 0.05f);   // slower, smoother follow
    MainCamera().setTarget(this, 1.0f);    // instant snap
}

clearTarget()

Stops following any target. The camera stays at its current position.

MainCamera().clearTarget();

Coordinate Conversion

worldToScreen(Vec2 world_pos)

Converts a world space position to screen pixel coordinates, taking camera position and zoom into account. Useful for drawing UI elements that track world objects.

Vec2 screenPos = MainCamera().worldToScreen(enemy.transform.position);

screenToWorld(Vec2 screen_pos)

Converts a screen pixel position back to world space. Useful for touch or cursor input.

Vec2 worldPos = MainCamera().screenToWorld({ 64, 80 });

isVisible(Vec2 world_pos, float margin = 0.0f)

Returns true if the world position is currently visible on screen. Optional margin extends the visible area beyond screen edges — useful for culling checks where you want to keep objects alive slightly off-screen.

if (MainCamera().isVisible(enemy.transform.position, 8.0f)) {
    enemy.draw();
}

Reset

reset()

Resets position to (0, 0), zoom to 1.0, and clears any follow target.

MainCamera().reset();