16_D04_H02_Simple Camera Rail Rig and Level Sequence with Shots in Unrea...

Session Summary: Using Camera Rig Rail in Unreal Engine 5.6

🧰 Project Setup

• Used the existing project from previous session: camera_settings.zip + metahumans.zip.

• Opened module_7 level and created a new sequence using “Add Level Sequence with Shots”.

• Named root sequence camera_rig_shot_root with 5 individual shots.

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🔧 Shot 010_01 – Straight Rail Shot

• Added Camera Rig Rail (legacy version) from Cinematic → Camera Rig Rail.

• Created rig_1 and aligned it horizontally in top view using two control points (vertices).

• Added a new camera cam_rig_1, made it a child of rig_1, and reset its location/rotation.

• Made the camera wide angle (20mm focal length).

• Animated Current Position on Rail from 0 to 1 over 10 seconds.

• Used Camera Cuts Track to activate cam_rig_1 for the shot.

• Rendered output shows smooth left-to-right camera movement across characters.

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🔧 Shot 020_01 – Curved Vertical Rail Shot

• Duplicated rig_1 to create rig_2, repositioned and bent it to form a curved rail.

• Added a new point by ALT + drag to shape the rail for elevation.

• Created new camera cam_rig_2, set it to 15mm focal length for a wider field of view.

• Attached the camera to rig_2 and animated movement from 0 → 1 in 10 seconds.

• Fine-tuned curve points and angles using top, right, and perspective views.

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🎯 Tracking and Focus

• Introduced a Helper Actor named rig2_tracker to control:

  • Look At Tracking: Enabled for cam_rig_2 to always face the tracker.

  • Focus Tracking: Set to track rig2_tracker for continuous focus during movement.

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🎬 Sequence Finalization

• Organized rig and camera actors into 08_camera_rigs folder.

• Added appropriate Camera Cuts in both shot sequences.

• Verified smooth transitions and framing in both rendered shots.

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✅ Key Learnings

• How to create nested sequences using Add Level Sequence with Shots.

• How to use Camera Rig Rail for linear and curved cinematic shots.

• How to animate rail movement using Current Position on Rail.

• How to control camera tracking and focus using a helper actor.