Unity Guide
Composing a cutscene in Unity
A quick guide about composing a cutscene in Unity
Objective: Build a cutscene in Unity using 3D models and previs elements.
In the last post I covered the importance of working with previs elements to do a cutscene in Unity. Now, it’s time to build the cutscene using the previs elements as reference in our scene.
The Scene
To start, let’s take a look at the next scene. We have a model of a guard (which is asleep) in front of a security desk.
If we check the previs elements from the last post, we’ll notice that this place is where the cutscene takes place. So, in order to start building the cutscene, let’s drag the models provided for it in the The Great Fleece package:
The prefab above contains the models of the thief and the guard with their respective animations coordinated. As a game developer, my job in here will be to build the cutscene using the models, animations and previs elements provided by an artist.
Cinemachine
In order to fulfill the features of the cutscene defined by the previs elements, we’ll need to install the Cinemachine package from the Unity package manager.
- To open the package manager let’s click on Window > Package Manager.
- To install Cinemachine let’s search the package and click on the Install button.
Once installed, let’s click on Cinemachine > Create Virtual Camera to create a virtual camera for the first previs element. The first previs element states that the camera should creep along the thief’s shoulder, so let’s give it a proper name to identify it:
Composing the cutscene cameras
Now, in the Scene view, let’s move the view looking for a similar shot like in the previs element:
Once we find the respective shot using the Scene view, let’s click on the new virtual camera and then select GameObject > Align with View to align the virtual camera with the Scene view and have the same shot:
Note: You can also press Ctrl+Shift+F in the keyboard while selecting the virtual camera to align it with the Scene view.
This way, we’ll have the same shot for the virtual camera as in the Scene view and we’ll meet the previs element requirements:
Now, let’s do the same for the next previs elements. We need another virtual camera pointing to the guard’s card and the thief on the other side:
And that’s it, we composed a cutscene using the previs elements! :D. I’ll see you in the next post, where I’ll be showing how to give life to our cutscene using the Timeline window with Unity.
