finelybook
Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5: A step-by-step guide to creating a complete animated short film
Author(s): Hussin Khan (Author)
- Publisher finelybook 出版社: Packt Publishing
- Publication Date 出版日期: 16 Feb. 2024
- Language 语言: English
- Print length 页数: 480 pages
- ISBN-10: 1801813809
- ISBN-13: 9781801813808
Book Description
Discover the power of storytelling with Unreal Engine 5's real-time technology, exploring storyboarding, character creation, world building, animating using sequencers, and much more with the help of an Unreal Authorized Instructor
Key Features
- Learn in detail about filmmaking techniques and understand how to tie that into your Unreal Engine workflow
- Generate and animate near-photorealistic actors using the innovative MetaHuman technology
- Build expansive worlds with Nanite and Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections technology
- Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook
Book Description
Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5 is the first Unreal Engine book to guide you through the complete process of virtual film production. Encompassing the full spectrum of filmmaking, this book demonstrates the use of an industry-standard tool used by studios such as Disney, ILM, DNEG, and Framestore.
Walking through the process systematically, you’ll collect references and create a simple storyboard to plan your shots. You'll create virtual environments, import 3D models and add materials and textures to build photorealistic, dynamic worlds. You'll also create actors using highly customizable MetaHumans, understand how to import, re-target, and animate them. You’ll bring it all together with cinematic lighting and camera animation before exporting your film.
By the end of this book, you’ll have discovered new tools for your toolkit to work on your virtual film projects in Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHuman technology.
What you will learn
- Grasp the principles of photography and the art of storytelling
- Collect references and create storyboards
- Discover Unreal Engine's hidden features and useful keyboard shortcuts
- Explore the capabilities of Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHumans
- Adopt cinematic techniques to achieve professional-looking shots
- Creatively apply Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections techniques
- Use multiple virtual cameras and apply post-production techniques
- Implement best practices for optimization, post processing, and rendering
Who this book is for
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate filmmaker, 3D artist, animator, visual effects artist, or virtual production professional with just basic knowledge of the Unreal Engine, this book is designed to help you enter the world of virtual films and animations.
While prior experience with the Unreal Engine would be beneficial, a deep working knowledge is not essential, as the book introduces the relevant tools and features needed throughout the activities.
Table of Contents
- Getting Started with Unreal Engine
- Understanding the Principles of Photography, Film Cameras, and Lenses
- Understanding the Art of Storytelling and Creating Your Storyboard
- Importing 3D Objects and Creating Levels
- Creating Environments with Quixel Megascans
- Creating and Applying Materials to 3D Meshes
- Creating Actors with Unreal Engine MetaHumans
- Retargeting the MetaHumans for Unreal Engine 5
- Adding Animations and Facial Expressions to Your MetaHuman Characters
- Adding and Animating Virtual Cameras Using the Level Sequencer
- Enhancing Set Dressing, Retiming Shots, and Adding Niagara Particles
- Setting the Mood with Lighting and Adding Post-Processing Effects
- Exploring Color Management, Additional Camera Settings and Rendering Your Shots
- Adding Sound and Finalizing Your Virtual Film
- Appendix: Creating Material IDs Using Blender
Product description
Review
“Today, there are lots of tutorials online you can get for free, but now the opposite problem applies – there is just too much! Therefore, it becomes even more frustrating. So, to have a book that has all the things you need to know to get started in real-time filmmaking in one place is very helpful today. The way Hussin has broken down each category, and the way he succinctly conveys each step of a process, makes it clear that he is a creative himself. He has also collaborated closely with other creatives and has decades of experience, from animation to VFX to real-time filmmaking.
If you want to tell stories, whether linear (film), interactively (games), or hybrid with live action (virtual production LED Volumes), then this is the book for you.
This book has been written for anyone who wants to use Unreal Engine to create content as a professional career.”
--
HaZ Dulull
Director/Producer at HaZimation
“Being an author and instructor takes time and discipline. Those traits are clearly on display in Hussin's book, which takes you through a guided step-by-step process covering the essentials of producing a short film in Unreal Engine. Loaded with clearly illustrated examples and solid writing, Hussin infuses his Unreal knowledge with practical real-world information on cinematography, storytelling, worldbuilding, and more.
Understanding all of the steps necessary to create your own animated work of art can be very confusing but with Hussin as your guide, you'll have a tome of knowledge right at your fingertips.”
--
Brian Pohl, Previs and Virtual Production Consultant, Ex-M&E Technical Program Manager at Epic Games
About the Author
Hussin Khan is an authorized Unreal Engine Instructor (UAI) with a decade of experience as an educator. As a former head of education at an Academy Award-winning studio, Rhythm & Hues, he was involved in the production of movies such as Life of Pi (2012), 2036 Origin Unknown (2018), and, more recently, Rift, an animated movie made entirely using Unreal Engine by HaZimation. Currently, Hussin runs EFXCO Academy, a creative-based training academy in Malaysia, which offers professional training and certification in graphics and motion design, game development, virtual reality, and visual effects. He is also a certified instructor for Nuke and Unity. Hussin holds a firm conviction that real-time production stands poised as the next major breakthrough in the media and entertainment industry.
