Getting started with Unreal Live-Action Cinematics
This guide is a work in progress.
About
This guide provides an OVERVIEW of Unreal live-action cinematic video. Covered in this guide include tutorials to get familiar with Unreal, tools and hardware required, the checklist of operations, and an overview of the template project. To avoid confusion, this guide does not cover the capturing and exporting video from Unreal. Another guide will be posted.
This guide makes use of OpenXR systems but no one will be wearing the headset in a traditional sense.
Prerequisites
New to Unreal?
Checklist of items:
- Meta VR headset with Meta Link. Note: SteamVR will use the OpenXR runtime
- SteamVR
- Vive Ultimate Trackers with the Vive streaming tool
- Canon DSLR Camera with a connection from mini HDMI to USB
- Unreal target set on the desktop shortcut (see below)
- Microphone for Unreal PC to to help with scene slating
- Any additional equipment, such as lighting, props, mics, etc.
Order to activate equipment
OpenXR equipment is still early technology and can sometimes lose tracking, freeze, and other challenges. Keep in mind you may need to restart devices, re calibrate, and more. The good news is every year bugs, software, and hardware improves.
At the time of this writing, the following should be turned on and checked for calibration in this order:
Overview of template project
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Where to go from here?
The next steps would be to prepare both the studio and the Unreal world for cinematic capture. This takes time and planning, particularly with lighting, perspective, and positioning of both real-life and CGI objects. Consider recording a few tests and making a composite before officially recording your takes. Another guide will be posted on an overview on capturing within the Unreal environment and exporting the footage.