Epic Games gave me some private one on one tutoring to get me going and my first project was to make a camera dolly that you could ‘drive.’ I also had a 3D scan of myself and I wanted to me a playable character. I had been developing plugins for Maya and Cinema 4D, but Unreal Engine is a completely different animal. Matt Workman: The first challenge was learning how a game engine works. The fun part is that I can combine the best of video games like Minecraft Creative and Fortnite Creative with the 3D applications like SketchUp, Cinema 4D, etc.ī&a: What were some of the very specific challenges of implementing different ‘systems’? For example, how do you implement a dolly with track to make it act like that, or how do you incorporate the realistic lights? In video games you use WASD and the Mouse or a Game Pad (we support both) and most children can figure it out in seconds. The simple task of moving a 3D camera around a viewport is not immediately intuitive. I’ve used almost every 3D animation program for previs and all of them have a steep learning curve. While it is technically a game made with Unreal Engine and sold on Steam, it is really an app that uses familiar ‘game mechanics.’ Matt Workman: My main goal with Cine Tracer is to make it simple to learn and fun to use/play. After a few weeks of tinkering I was hooked with being able to work in real time and I spent the last year of my life dedicated to building what is now Cine Tracer.ī&a: Can you describe, from an overall point of view, how a player plays Cine Tracer? What things did you keep considering, as you’ve been developing it, to make sure it stayed fun, and like a game? It did really well, for a very niche market, but the high prices of the DCC kept it from being main stream.Ībout a year and a half ago Epic Games approached me and asked if I would be interested in porting Cine Designer into Unreal Engine. Five years ago I stared a company called Cinematography Database and sold a Cinema 4D previs plug-in called Cine Designer. One day I decided that I wanted to be able to my own ‘Production Previs’ and I started to work in SketchUp and Maya. Matt Workman: I worked as a commercial cinematographer in NYC for 10 years and by the end, I was working a lot VFX heavy projects. Here Matt outlines exactly what Cine Tracer is, why he built it, and why the ‘game’ is already being utilized for actual production planning.ī&a: Why did you make Cine Tracer? What was it in your previous work or wish list for a game that made you jump into it?
Cine tracer full simulator#
That’s what Matt Workman, the founder of Cinematography Database, has also done with Cine Tracer, a real-time cinematography simulator made in Unreal Engine and available on Steam. These tools and techniques are being directly used on television, commercials, and films – the best tools replicate the real-world cinematography experience. There’s a lot of buzz about virtual production and real-time game engines right now. #vfxtoolsweek is brought to you by cineSync. We welcome all Alpha and Early Access users to give us feedback on the system so we can create the best possible product.Get in there and visualize real-world filmmaking now.
“Matt Workman streams the development of the game on Twitch ( ), we have a Discord channel, and Facebook group. How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?
“The price of Cine Game will likely increase after it hits "Full Release" status. Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access? “The current Early Release has the basic cameras, lighting, and talent systems in place with one medium sized map to explore and build in. What is the current state of the Early Access version?
Cine tracer full full version#
“The full version will also have a larger database of maps/levels, equipment, talent, and sets.” How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version? “Cine Game will be Early Release for approximately 6-12 months.” “Cine Game will be early access so that the community can support and participate in it's development.”Īpproximately how long will this game be in Early Access?