How To Use Cinemachine In Unreal Engine 5? | UE5 Tutorial

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Do you want to make movies, video game sequences, or maybe virtual production? But you don’t know where should you start, here is an unreal engine 5 virtual production guide for you.

Let’s start with the basics, you might is it necessary. Yes, it is. First question what camera actually is, and how can you use them?

A camera is a device that captures and records images or videos. The camera’s primary function is to focus light onto a photosensitive surface (in traditional cameras, this was a film, while in digital cameras, it is a sensor) to create an image. Cameras can come in many different forms, including digital cameras, smartphones, and even virtual cameras used in video games or virtual reality.

In the context of virtual cameras in Unreal Engine, the camera is essentially a virtual representation of a real-world camera. It is a tool used by game developers and cinematographers to control the viewpoint and perspective of the game’s virtual world. The camera is positioned within the game world, and its viewpoint can be adjusted to capture different angles, distances, and compositions.

The virtual camera in Unreal Engine has many of the same properties as a real-world camera. For example, it has a focal length, which can be adjusted to create a wide-angle or telephoto effect. It also has an aperture, which can be set to control the depth of field and how much of the image is in focus. Additionally, the camera has a shutter speed, which can be used to control motion blur and freeze the action.

One of the significant advantages of using a virtual camera in Unreal Engine is the ability to capture footage and then edit it later. The virtual camera can be set up to record a specific scene, and then the footage can be played back and edited as needed. This is a powerful tool for filmmakers and game developers, as it allows them to experiment with different camera angles and perspectives before committing to a final shot.

Another advantage of using a virtual camera in Unreal Engine is the ability to create complex camera movements that would be difficult or impossible with a real-world camera. For example, the camera can be programmed to follow a moving object or character or to fly through the virtual world in ways that would be physically impossible in the real world.

In conclusion, a camera is a tool used to capture and record images or videos. In the context of virtual cameras in Unreal Engine, the camera is a virtual representation of a real-world camera used to control the viewpoint and perspective of the game’s virtual world. Understanding the properties of the virtual camera, such as focal length, aperture, and shutter speed, can help game developers and cinematographers create compelling and engaging virtual worlds.

Are normal cameras different than cameras in Unreal Engine 5?

Traditional cameras are physical devices that capture images in the real world using lenses, aperture, and shutter speed. In contrast, virtual cameras in Unreal Engine 5 are entirely digital tools used to capture images and videos within a virtual environment. Virtual cameras offer filmmakers and game developers unprecedented creative control over the virtual world, including complex camera movements and the ability to edit the footage after recording. However, virtual cameras can have a different look and feel compared to traditional cameras and can require significant computing power to render complex scenes.

Some of the important parts of cameras are;

Focal Length: Focal length is the distance between the lens and the point where incoming light rays converge to create an image. In virtual cameras, the focal length setting controls the field of view, which determines how much of the virtual scene is visible in the camera’s view. A shorter focal length creates a wider field of view, while a longer focal length creates a narrower field of view. Adjusting the focal length can create a different look and feel to the virtual scene, from a wide-angle shot that captures a large area, to a telephoto shot that brings distant objects closer and compresses the image.

Aperture: Aperture refers to the opening in the camera lens that controls the amount of light that enters the camera. In virtual cameras, the aperture setting controls the depth of field, which determines how much of the virtual scene is in focus. A larger aperture (represented by a lower f-number) creates a shallower depth of field, with the subject in focus while the background is blurred. A smaller aperture (represented by a higher f-number) creates a greater depth of field, with more of the scene in focus. Adjusting the aperture can create a different visual effect in the virtual scene, from a shallow depth of field that emphasizes the subject, to a deep depth of field that captures the entire scene in focus.

Shutter Speed: Shutter speed refers to the length of time that the camera’s shutter is open, allowing light to enter and create an image. In virtual cameras, the shutter speed setting controls the amount of motion blur in the image, which determines how the camera captures motion in the virtual scene. A faster shutter speed freezes the action and captures less motion blur, while a slower shutter speed creates more motion blur and can convey a sense of motion or movement. Adjusting the shutter speed can create a different visual effect in the virtual scene, from a crisp, frozen action to a more dynamic, fluid motion.

So let’s start with how can you shoot some cool scenes with those components in virtual worlds like UE5, here are some tips;

Before using Cinemachine to create cool shots, there are some essential parts of scene creation in Unreal Engine 5 that you need to consider:

1. Textures: Textures are essential for adding detail and realism to your scene. Use high-quality textures to add depth and dimension to your objects, and to create a more immersive experience for the viewer.
2. Meshes: Meshes are the 3D objects that make up your scene. Use high-quality meshes to create detailed and realistic objects, and to ensure that your scene looks polished and professional.
3. Lighting: Lighting is an important aspect of scene creation, and can greatly affect the mood and tone of your scene. Use lighting to create contrast and depth, and to highlight important objects and areas of your scene.
4. Sound: Sound can greatly enhance the immersive experience of your scene. Use sound effects and ambient noise to create a realistic and engaging environment, and to help tell the story you are trying to convey.
5. Post-processing: Post-processing effects such as bloom, lens flares, and color grading can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your scene. Use these effects to create a cinematic look and feel, and to add depth and dimension to your shots.

By considering these essential parts of scene creation, and using Cinemachine to create cool shots, you can create a polished and immersive experience for your viewers. After that, here are some pro tips to make your shots and your scenes in general better;

1. Use multiple virtual cameras: Cinemachine allows you to use multiple virtual cameras in a single scene, so take advantage of this by setting up multiple shots and camera angles. This will add variety and visual interest to your scene, and allow you to seamlessly transition between different camera angles.
2. Experiment with camera movement: Cinemachine allows you to create complex camera movements such as tracking, craning, and orbiting. Experiment with these different movements to create dynamic and visually interesting shots.
3. Use shot framing: The composition of your shots can greatly affect the mood and tone of your scene. Use shot framing techniques such as rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry to create visually appealing and balanced shots.
4. Pay attention to lighting: Lighting is an important aspect of cinematography, and can greatly affect the look and feel of your scene. Experiment with different lighting setups to create dramatic or moody shots, and use Cinemachine to capture the lighting in interesting ways.
5. Add visual effects: Cinemachine allows you to add visual effects such as depth of field, motion blur, and color grading to your shots. Use these effects to enhance the mood and tone of your scene, and to create a cinematic look and feel.
6. Consider the story: Ultimately, the shots you create with Cinemachine should serve the story you are trying to tell. Use camera angles, movements, and compositions to support the narrative and convey the emotions and themes of your scene.

Do you want your camera moves like a human carrying the camera? Here is how to do it:

To make the camera move in a way that simulates a human carrying it, you can use a technique called “camera shake”. This technique adds a randomized, subtle movement to the camera that simulates the natural movement of a human hand holding a camera.

Here are the steps to add camera shake to your UE5 camera:

1. Add a camera shake blueprint: In the Content Browser, right-click and select “Blueprint Class”. Choose “Camera Shake” as the parent class, and give your blueprint a name.
2. Set up the camera shake parameters: In the blueprint, you can adjust the parameters to control the intensity, frequency, and duration of the camera shake. You can also specify which axis the shake should occur on.
3. Assign the camera shake blueprint to the camera: Select the camera you want to add the shake to, and in the Details panel, scroll down to the “Camera Shake” section. Select the camera shake blueprint you created in step 1.
4. Preview and adjust the camera shake: To see how the camera shake affects your camera, you can use the “PIE” (Play in Editor) mode. Adjust the parameters of the camera shake blueprint as needed to achieve the desired effect.

By using a camera shake, you can create a more realistic and immersive camera movement that simulates the movement of a human carrying a camera.

Cinemachine you can adjust almost every aspect of your camera’s movement using keyframes. A keyframe is a snapshot of a specific camera setting (such as position, rotation, or field of view) at a specific point in time. By setting multiple keyframes and adjusting their properties, you can create complex camera movements that change over time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using keyframes in Cinemachine:

1. Set up your virtual camera: Add a virtual camera to your scene and adjust its properties as desired (such as position, rotation, and field of view).
2. Add a keyframe: With your virtual camera selected, click the “Add Key” button in the “Camera State” section of the Inspector. This will add a keyframe for the current camera state at the current time.
3. Adjust the camera state: Move the time slider to a different point in time, and adjust the camera state as desired (such as changing the position, rotation, or field of view).
4. Add another keyframe: With the virtual camera still selected, click the “Add Key” button again. This will add another keyframe for the new camera state at the new time.
5. Preview the camera movement: Use the “Preview” button in the Inspector to see how your camera movement looks over time. You can adjust the properties of each keyframe to refine the movement as needed.
6. Add more keyframes: Repeat steps 3–5 as needed to add more keyframes and create a more complex camera movement.

By using keyframes in Cinemachine, you can create dynamic and visually interesting camera movements that change over time. You can adjust the properties of each keyframe to fine-tune the movement and preview the movement in real-time to see how it looks.

Let’s say you got your shots, and you move to export parts.

The Movie Render Queue in Unreal Engine 5 allows you to export high-quality video footage of your scene or gameplay. Here’s how to use the Movie Render Queue to export your footage:

1. Set up your scene: Make sure your scene is set up the way you want it to look in the final video. This includes the camera angles, lighting, and any other effects you want to include.
2. Open the Movie Render Queue: Click on the “Window” menu in the main toolbar and select “Movie Render Queue” to open the Movie Render Queue window.
3. Create a new movie: Click the “+” button in the upper left corner of the Movie Render Queue window to create a new movie. Give the movie a name and choose the output format and resolution.
4. Add a shot: Click the “+” button in the “Shots” section to add a new shot to the movie. Choose the camera you want to use for the shot and set the start and end times.
5. Adjust shot settings: Click on the shot in the “Shots” section to adjust the shot settings. This includes the camera settings, post-process settings, and any other effects you want to include.
6. Export the movie: Once you have added all the shots you want, click the “Add to Render Queue” button in the lower right corner of the Movie Render Queue window. Then, click the “Render” button to export the movie.

By using the Movie Render Queue in Unreal Engine 5, you can export high-quality video footage of your scene or gameplay. You can create multiple shots and adjust the camera settings and effects for each shot to create a dynamic and visually interesting video.

Do you want to learn more specific information in video format? You can check my Youtube Channel here!