17_D04_H02_02 All New Cine Cam RIg Rail in Unreal Engine 5.6 and using C...

Session 17 Summary: Cine Camera Rig Rail in UE 5.6

🚀 Setup

• Opened existing camera_settings project from previous session.

• Continued from camera_rig_shot_root sequence.

• Began editing third shot (shot_030_01) using Cine Camera Rig Rail (advanced version).

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🔧 Creating the Circular Camera Rig

• Added Cine Camera Rig Rail from Cinematic → Cine Camera Rig Rail.

• Switched to top orthographic view.

• Created a perfect 360° circular dolly path:

  • Measured 190 cm radius using middle mouse drag.

  • Placed 5 spline points in a circle using Alt + drag.

• Used spline tangent controls in Rails Plane Component to smooth out the curve.

• Ensured uniform speed using the Display Speed Heat Map (green = optimal speed).

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🎥 Attaching & Configuring the Camera

• Duplicated wide_camera, renamed to cine_cam_rig_3.

• Attached camera to rig_3 and reset its transform.

• Set focal length = 35mm (can later animate per spline).

• Enabled rig control of focal length, aperture, and focus (instead of camera).

• Placed both rig and camera into the sequence and camera folder.

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🔁 Controlling the Camera Movement

• Switched from manual movement to absolute spline position control:

  • Added keyframes at absolute position 1 (start) and 5 (end) over 10 seconds.

• Enabled “Use Point Orientation” so the camera rotates along the rail path.

• Rotated camera 90° so it always faces inward toward actor.

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🎛️ Using Drive Mode (Alternative)

• Enabled Drive Mode → Duration to auto-animate based on time.

• Demonstrated changing speed via duration or speed %.

• Later reverted to manual keyframing for full control.

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🎚️ Focal Length & Aperture Animation by Spline Point

• Adjusted focal length per spline:

  • Spline 0: 15mm (wide)

  • Spline 1–2: 30mm

  • Spline 3: 15mm

  • Spline 4: 50mm → revised to 30mm for smoother transition

• Adjusted aperture per spline to improve exposure:

  • Set all points to f/1.4 for brighter visuals.

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🎯 Focus Tracking with a Helper Actor

• Added "rig3_tracker" actor to guide camera focus during movement.

• Placed tracker at key locations (between characters, face, etc.) over time.

• Animated the tracker’s position and enabled it in camera’s Focus Tracking.

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✅ Final Composition Check

• Verified:

  • Smooth dolly movement

  • Dynamic focal length changes

  • Focus tracking accuracy

  • Proper brightness/exposure throughout shot

• Saved all changes and concluded third rig-based camera shot.

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🛠️ Key Features Demonstrated

• Cine Camera Rig Rail with multiple spline points.

• Spline-level focal length and aperture control.

• Drive Mode vs. Manual Animation.

• Tracker-based camera focus with smooth interpolation.