Cine Tracer is a virtual filmmaking sandbox that allows users to create, visualize, and test their cinematography ideas in a realistic 3D environment. It is designed by cinematographer Matt Workman of Cinematography Database, who has worked on projects such as The Avengers, The Social Network, and The Amazing Spider-Man 21. Cine Tracer is powered by Unreal Engine 4, which enables stunning graphics, dynamic lighting, and physics-based interactions. Users can choose from a range of real-world cameras, lenses, lights, actors, props, and sets to build their scenes and explore different camera angles, lighting setups, and compositions. Users can also capture screenshots and export them to a storyboard or a video editor for further refinement. The simulator is not only a useful tool for pre-visualization and pre-production, but also a fun and educational way to learn the art and craft of cinematography.
Features and Capabilities
Cine Tracer offers a variety of features and capabilities that make it a versatile and powerful cinematography simulator. Some of the main features are:
Realistic Cameras and Lenses:
Users can select from a library of cameras and lenses that are based on real-world models from brands such as Arri, RED, Sony, Canon, Nikon, and more. They can adjust the camera settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus distance, and zoom. Users can also switch between different camera modes such as handheld, tripod, dolly, crane, drone, and car mount.
Dynamic Lighting:
Users can create and manipulate various types of lights such as spotlights, area lights, point lights, sky lights, sun lights, and volumetric lights. They can control the intensity, color, temperature, angle, shape, size, and shadow of each light. Users can also use light modifiers such as gels, flags, scrims, bounce boards, and diffusion panels to shape and soften the light.
MetaHuman Actors:
Users can populate their scenes with realistic human characters that are generated by MetaHuman Creator, a cloud-based app that allows users to create high-fidelity digital humans in minutes. They can customize the appearance, clothing, hair style, facial expression, and pose of each actor. Users can also direct the actors to perform various actions such as walking, running, jumping, sitting, talking, fighting, dancing, and more.
Props and Sets:
Users can add various props and set pieces to their scenes such as furniture, vehicles, weapons, plants, animals, buildings, streets, landscapes, and more. Users can also import their own 3D models or use the built-in Unreal Engine 4 assets to create custom environments.
Screenshot Capture:
Users can take high-resolution screenshots of their scenes and save them to their local drive or upload them to the cloud. They can also export their screenshots to a storyboard format that can be printed or shared with others. Users can also record videos of their scenes and export them to a video editor for further editing.
User Interface of the Cinematography Simulator
Cine Tracer has a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily navigate and interact with the 3D environment. The interface consists of four main elements:
- Viewport: The viewport is the main window that displays the 3D scene from the perspective of the selected camera. Users can move the camera around using the mouse and keyboard or by using the camera modes. Users can also switch between different cameras or create new ones using the camera menu.
- Toolbar: The toolbar is located at the top of the viewport and contains icons for accessing various features such as lighting, actors, props, sets, screenshot capture, video recording, settings, and help.
- Inspector: The inspector is located at the right side of the viewport and shows the properties of the selected object in the scene. Users can modify the properties using sliders, buttons, checkboxes, color pickers, and text fields.
- Content Browser: The content browser is located at the bottom of the viewport and shows the library of assets that users can drag and drop into the scene. Users can browse through different categories such as cameras, lenses, lights, actors, clothing, hair styles, facial expressions, poses, actions, props, and sets.
Workflow
Cine Tracer has a simple and intuitive workflow that allows users to create their scenes in a few steps:
- Step 1: Select a map from the content browser or create a new one using Unreal Engine 4 assets or imported 3D models.
- Step 2: Add cameras and lenses from the content browser or create new ones using the camera menu. Adjust the camera settings and position using the mouse and keyboard or the camera modes.
- Step 3: Add lights from the content browser or create new ones using the toolbar. Adjust the light properties and position using the inspector and the mouse and keyboard.
- Step 4: Add actors from the content browser or create new ones using MetaHuman Creator. Adjust the actor properties and position using the inspector and the mouse and keyboard. Direct the actors to perform actions using the toolbar.
- Step 5: Add props and set pieces from the content browser or import your own 3D models. Adjust the prop and set properties and position using the inspector and the mouse and keyboard.
- Step 6: Take screenshots of your scenes using the toolbar or record videos using the toolbar. Export your screenshots to a storyboard format or export your videos to a video editor.
The Integration with the Simulator
Cine Tracer, the cinematography simulator can be integrated with other software and hardware to enhance its functionality and usability. Some of the integration options are:
- MetaHuman Creator: Users can create realistic human characters using MetaHuman Creator, a cloud-based app that allows users to create high-fidelity digital humans in minutes. Users can then import their MetaHumans into Cine Tracer and use them as actors in their scenes.
- Unreal Engine 4: Users can create custom environments using Unreal Engine 4, a powerful game engine that enables users to create immersive 3D worlds. Users can then import their Unreal Engine 4 maps into Cine Tracer and use them as sets in their scenes.
- Blender: Users can create custom 3D models using Blender, a free and open source 3D creation suite that supports modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and more. Users can then import their Blender models into Cine Tracer and use them as props or set pieces in their scenes.
- Oculus Rift: Users can experience their scenes in virtual reality using Oculus Rift, a head-mounted display that provides a 360-degree view of the 3D environment. Users can also use Oculus Touch controllers to interact with the scene objects and control the camera movements.
- SteamVR: Users can experience their scenes in virtual reality using SteamVR, a platform that supports various VR headsets such as HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, and more. Users can also use VR controllers to interact with the scene objects and control the camera movements.
Use Cases of Cine Tracer Simulator
The cinematography simulator can be used for various purposes such as:
Pre-visualization: Users can use Cine Tracer to pre-visualize their cinematography ideas before shooting on set. Users can test different camera angles, lighting setups, compositions, and movements without spending time and money on physical equipment and locations. Users can also share their pre-visualizations with their crew members or clients for feedback and approval.
Pre-production: Users can use Cine Tracer to plan their production schedule and budget. Users can estimate how much time and resources they need for each scene based on the complexity of the camera work, lighting design, actor performance, prop usage, and set dressing. Users can also create shot lists, storyboards, floor plans, lighting diagrams, and other documents based on their pre-visualizations.
Education: Users can use Cine Tracer to learn the fundamentals and techniques of cinematography. Users can experiment with different cameras, lenses, lights, actors, props, and sets to understand how they affect the visual storytelling. Users can also follow tutorials, watch demos, read articles, and join courses that are available on Cine Tracer’s website and social media channels.
Entertainment: Users can use Cine Tracer to have fun and express their creativity. Users can create their own stories, genres, styles, and moods using the various assets and features that Cine Tracer provides. Users can also share their creations with other users or upload them to online platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, and more.
Customization and Training
Cine Tracer simulator allows users to customize their scenes according to their preferences and needs. Users can:
Create Custom Cameras and Lenses:
Users can create their own cameras and lenses by modifying the existing ones or by importing new ones from external sources. A user can adjust the camera sensor size, resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, and more. Users can also adjust the lens focal length, aperture, distortion, vignetting, and more.
Create Custom Lights:
Users can create their own lights by modifying the existing ones or by importing new ones from external sources. A user can adjust the light type, intensity, color, temperature, angle, shape, size, shadow, and more. Users can also use light modifiers such as gels, flags, scrims, bounce boards, and diffusion panels to shape and soften the light.
Create Custom Actors:
Users can create their own actors by modifying the existing ones or by creating new ones using MetaHuman Creator. They can adjust the actor appearance, clothing, hair style, facial expression, and pose. Users can also direct the actors to perform various actions using the toolbar.
Create Custom Props and Sets:
Users can create their own props and set pieces by modifying the existing ones or by importing their own 3D models. Users can adjust the prop and set properties and position using the inspector and the mouse and keyboard.
The cinematography simulator also provides users with training resources to help them improve their skills and knowledge of cinematography. Users can:
- Watch Tutorials: Users can watch video tutorials that cover various topics such as camera basics, lighting fundamentals, scene creation, screenshot capture, video recording, and more. The tutorials are available on Cine Tracer’s website and YouTube channel.
- Read Articles: Users can read articles that provide tips, tricks, insights, and inspiration for cinematography. The articles are available on Cine Tracer’s blog and medium page.
- Join Courses: Users can join online courses that teach cinematography theory and practice using Cine Tracer. The courses are offered by Cinematography Database, a platform that provides education and resources for cinematographers.
Community and Collaboration
Cine Tracer has a vibrant and supportive community of users who share their passion and enthusiasm for cinematography. Users can:
Share Their Creations: Users can share their screenshots, videos, stories, and feedback with other users on Cine Tracer’s social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Discord, and Steam. Users can also participate in contests, challenges, and events that are organized by Cine Tracer or its partners.
Learn From Others: Users can learn from other users’ experiences, opinions, suggestions, and critiques on Cine Tracer’s forums such as Reddit, Discord, and Steam. Users can also watch other users’ videos on YouTube or Twitch to see how they use Cine Tracer for different purposes.
Collaborate With Others: Users can collaborate with other users on projects such as short films, documentaries, commercials, music videos, and more. Users can use Cine Tracer’s multiplayer mode to work together in real time or use cloud services such as Google Drive or Dropbox to share files.
Support and Resources
Cine Tracer provides users with various support and resources to help them use the software effectively and efficiently. Users can:
- Access Documentation: Users can access the official documentation that explains the features, functions, controls, menus, options, and settings of Cine Tracer. The documentation is available on Cine Tracer’s website.
- Contact Support: Users can contact the support team via email or chat if they encounter any issues or have any questions about Cine Tracer. The support team is responsive and helpful and tries to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
- Report Bugs: Users can report any bugs or glitches that they find in the simulator using the bug report form that is available on Cine Tracer’s website. The development team is constantly working on fixing the bugs and improving the software performance.
- Request Features: Users can request new features or improvements that they would like to see in Cine Tracer using the feature request form that is available on Cine Tracer’s website. The development team is open to feedback and suggestions and tries to implement the most popular and feasible requests.
Future Developments
Cine Tracer is a cinematography simulator that is constantly being updated with new features, assets, improvements, and fixes. Some of the future developments that are planned or in progress are:
- More Cameras and Lenses: The development team is working on adding more cameras and lenses from different brands and models to expand the options for users.
- More Lights: The development team is working on adding more types of lights such as LED panels, softboxes, ring lights, and more to enhance the lighting design possibilities for users.
- More Actors: The development team is working on adding more MetaHumans from different ethnicities, ages, genders, and styles to diversify the actor pool for users.
- More Props and Sets: The development team is working on adding more props and set pieces from different categories such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more to increase the creative potential for users.
- More Maps: The development team is working on adding more maps from different locations such as cities, countryside, desert, and more to provide more variety for users.
- More Actions: The development team is working on adding more actions for the actors such as kissing, hugging, crying, and more to enable more emotional storytelling for users.
- More Modes: The development team is working on adding more modes such as VR mode, AR mode, and cinematic mode to offer more immersive and interactive experiences for users.
Conclusion
Cine Tracer is a realistic cinematography simulator that allows users to create, visualize, and test their cinematography ideas in a 3D environment. The simulator a useful tool for pre-visualization and pre-production, as well as a fun and educational way to learn cinematography. It has a user-friendly interface, a variety of features and capabilities, a simple and intuitive workflow, and various integration options. It also has a vibrant and supportive community, various support and resources, and constant future developments.
Cine Tracer is a must-have software for anyone who is interested in cinematography, whether they are beginners or professionals. Users can download Cine Tracer from Steam or from Cine Tracer’s website and start their cinematic journey today.
