# PerspectiveCameraComponent A component that defines a virtual camera and its controls. ``` struct PerspectiveCameraComponent ``` ## Overview Each scene requires a camera that defines the viewpoint from which RealityKit renders the scene. In RealityKit, the default camera is a *perspective camera*, which simulates the way real cameras and human vision work. Entities that are farther away from the camera render smaller. For an alternative camera solution, see [`OrthographicCameraComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/OrthographicCameraComponent). To create a perspective camera, add this component to an entity. ```swift let cameraEntity = Entity() // Place the camera 2 meters along the z-axis, // looking at the scene origin. let cameraPosition: SIMD3 = [0, 0, 2] cameraEntity.look(at: .zero, from: cameraPosition, relativeTo: nil) cameraEntity.components.set(PerspectiveCameraComponent()) ``` A `PerspectiveCameraComponent` defines the camera settings for a perspective camera, such as the [`fieldOfViewInDegrees`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/fieldOfViewInDegrees). The entity’s [`transform`](/documentation/RealityKit/HasTransform/transform) defines the camera entity’s viewpoint and direction. The direction it points is along the entity’s negative z-axis. In AR scenarios, the system provides the camera automatically; however, in non-AR scenarios, the app needs to set the camera. If the app doesn’t provide a camera, the system uses the default perspective camera. ## Topics ### Creating a camera component [`init(near:far:fieldOfViewInDegrees:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/init(near:far:fieldOfViewInDegrees:)) Creates a perspective camera component from near and far clipping planes and a field of view. [`init(near:far:fieldOfViewInDegrees:fieldOfViewOrientation:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/init(near:far:fieldOfViewInDegrees:fieldOfViewOrientation:)) Creates a perspective camera component from near and far clipping planes, a field of view, and an orientation. ### Setting focal points [`far`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/far) The maximum distance in meters from the camera that the camera can see. [`near`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/near) The minimum distance in meters from the camera that the camera can see. ### Setting the field of view [`fieldOfViewInDegrees`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/fieldOfViewInDegrees) The camera’s total field of view in degrees. [`fieldOfViewOrientation`](/documentation/RealityKit/PerspectiveCameraComponent/fieldOfViewOrientation) The orientation with which the system uses to apply the field-of-view degrees. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)