Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5

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

Key FeaturesHarness Unreal Engine's real-time technology to create limitless, high-fidelity contentGenerate and animate near-photorealistic actors using the innovative MetaHuman technologyBuild expansive worlds with Nanite and Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections technologyPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionVirtual 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 first collect references and create a simple storyboard to plan your shots. Then you'll begin to create virtual environments, importing 3D models and adding materials and textures to create photorealistic, dynamic worlds. After that, you'll learn how to create actors using highly customizable MetaHumans, understanding how to import, re-target, and animate them. Finally, 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 honed your skills, discovered new tools for your toolkit, and gained the confidence to work on your virtual film projects in Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHuman technology.

What you will learnGrasp the principles of photography and the art of storytellingCollect references and create storyboardsDiscover Unreal Engine's hidden features and useful keyboard shortcutsExplore the capabilities of Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHumansAdopt cinematic techniques to achieve professional-looking shotsCreatively apply Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections techniquesUse multiple virtual cameras and apply post-production techniquesImplement best practices for optimization, post processing, and renderingWho this book is forWhether 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 ContentsGetting Started with Unreal EngineUnderstanding the Principles of Photography, Film Cameras, and LensesUnderstanding the Art of Storytelling and Creating Your StoryboardImporting 3D Objects and Creating LevelsCreating Environments with Quixel MegascansCreating and Applying Materials to 3D MeshesCreating Actors with Unreal Engine MetaHumansRetargeting the MetaHumans for Unreal Engine 5Adding Animations and Facial Expressions to Your MetaHuman CharactersAdding and Animating Virtual Cameras Using the Level SequencerEnhancing Set Dressing, Retiming Shots, and Adding Niagara ParticlesSetting the Mood with Lighting and Adding Post-Processing EffectsExploring Color Management, Additional Camera Settings and Rendering Your ShotsAdding Sound and Finalizing Your Virtual FilmAppendix: Creating Material IDs Using Blender