DOF Instructions

[Renegade26]

I really have experimented around with this feature for too long now; I still can't get it working the way I want.

Can anyone instruct me how to set the focal point?

EG: Tree overlooking a cliff - how would I set it so the trees in focus but the background is blurred?

Any help or links to up-to-date tutorials welcome

[Dune]

I haven't done much with DOF, but I can say a few words. You have to check it of course in the render tabs, but then you go to the camera tabs and check that too. So far, so good. Then at the top is a radio button that gives you an indication of the focus distance (red field). For more DOF you'd have to set the aperture diameter quite high, so the f value decreases. Best to experiment from there on.
Hope I got you on track.

[Renegade26]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Dune and attach helpful eg file. I got it more through experimentation like you said.

Surely there should be at least some OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION provided for this feature???

Cheers

[Upon Infinity]

I made a post on how this is done.  You can find it here:

http://www.planetside.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,16380.msg160463.html#msg160463

More on Focal Blur:

This is also where some knowledge of photography and light physics will come in handy.  There are a lot of things that contribute to focal blur; the further away the object is from the camera (the more parallel the light rays are), the less focal blur you will have.  Also, the closer the object, the more focal blur.  The longer the focal length of your lens, the more focal blur you will have.  The wider your aperture (Lower f-stop number), the more focal blur you will have.  And finally, the larger your film plane, the more focal blur you will have.  Changing some of these values will also change the composition of your scene, so I'd suggest only tampering with the f-stop and aperture until you get the hang of things.