Overhead Building Camera

Build from above, with an adjustable camera and a live readout of its height above the terrain.

Open Settings > Mods > Building camera and choose when the overhead view is used:

• []Standard — the game's usual camera.[/]

  []Overhead: terraforming only — Level ground and, if installed, both aggressive tools from Instant and Exact Terraforming.[/]

  []Overhead: all construction — buildings, extensions and outdoor tools. This is the default.[/]

  Interior furniture and warehouse storage slots always keep the standard camera. Extensions and other building add-ons use the overhead view and height controls.

  Move the mouse to choose the building location. Hold the middle mouse button and drag to move the camera, up to 150 metres from your character. Choose a height from 10 to 150 metres in the settings, or hold PgUp / PgDn while placing to raise or lower it for this session. The readout shows the actual distance above terrain, including when you stand on a roof or cliff. Cancel placement or choose Standard to return to the normal view.

  Press Home while placing to switch between the overhead and the standard camera, for example to check a building from the side. The choice lasts until you press it again or the placement ends; the next placement starts with the view chosen in the settings. The key works in every mode, so with Standard selected it brings up the overhead view on demand. You can pick another key or turn it off in the settings.

  This is an independent module: it needs ASKA Mod Core 1. 2. 0 or newer. Instant and Exact Terraforming is optional. Settings and the height readout follow the game's language (13 languages).

  Installation

  Install BepInEx and ASKA Mod Core first (both are listed under Requirements), then install this mod with Vortex, or unpack the archive into the ASKA folder so the files land in BepInEx/plugins/AskaBuildCamera/.

  Linux / Steam Deck: add this to ASKA's launch options in Steam (Windows doesn't need it):

  WINEDLLOVERRIDES="winhttp=n,b" %command%

  Change them in the game: Settings, the Mods tab, then Apply; the tab follows the game's language. They are stored in BepInEx/config/DED2GAME. AskaMods.ini. You can also edit BepInEx/plugins/AskaBuildCamera/aska_mod.ini, but only while the game is running: with the game closed, the stored value wins.

  What it does

  0 = Standard; 1 = Overhead for levelling fields only; 2 = Overhead for all construction, including extensions (default). Interior furniture and warehouse slots always keep the standard camera. Can be changed while playing.

  build_camera_height

  Clearance above terrain and character, 10–150 metres (default 30). PgUp/PgDn adjust it for the current session. The on-screen readout measures actual distance above terrain.

  build_camera_toggle_key

  Key that switches between overhead and standard view while placing, as a Windows key code: 36 = Home (default), 35 = End, 45 = Insert, 112–119 = F1–F8, 121/122 = F10/F11, 0 = off. The choice lasts until the placement ends.

  Good to know

  • []Rotation, confirmation, cancellation and character movement keep the game's controls. The picking ray reaches across the overhead view; the game still validates the location.[/]

    []The camera does not change terrain, character position or saves.[/]

    []Offline tests passed. Overhead activation and mouse placement were exercised in a private game copy. Full panning and menu-transition playtesting is still pending.[/]

    AI was used to write the code quickly. I designed the mod, thought through how it should behave and put real care into it, so this is not a mod made by AI alone: the AI was the tool that carried out the work and took the routine off my hands.