Why I’m building a second residence in Unity3D
As a machinimatographer, the single most important element I look for in my venue platform of filming is: user-content creation AND control system. I want the ability to take a seed from an idea and let it blossom into anything I want, with few restrictions. I want to be able to have creative juices spilling as I work for the client and not have to worry about “whether it can be done.”
In developed Virtual World programs, that are a number of key solutions that make me seal the package deal and establish my place of work there: Ability to control the light, ability to build anything within reason, ability to move my camera effortlessly, ability to control character design and motion, and of course good graphics
Second Life is a given. That is usually the best option. However– I’m starting to really like my place in Unity 3D, an integrated authoring tool for creating 3D video games or other interactive content. The wonderful thing about Unity is there are a ton of professionals making it grow and adding features– many of these were already professional game designers.
Here are some features making Unity into a shining star, not only for avid game fans but for machinimatographers too:
1) Beast Lightmapping
Transforms dull flat scenes into beautifully lit environments. You can add atmosphere, shadow, etc. I’m sold! The amazing thing is you can literally paint the shadows on the scenes in Photoshop. Check out a demo:
[http://vimeo.com/13361651]
2) Image effects
YES- you can now control the depth of field! You can perform actions like layer based bloom, sun shafts, etc. That means you can achieve effects like shallow depth of field (background out of focus), light flares entering your camera, and even achieve just a flat 2D representation of your scene.
[http://vimeo.com/12500504]
3) Locomotion System
This is a way to blend keyframed or motion-captured movement to smooth them out for the game environment. A system like this is important in capturing realism in character movement.
[http://vimeo.com/5391896]
If you’re still not impressed, just watch this clip from Unity’s new deferred renderer to watch everything at work:
Framedin3d's Blog 
Kate said,
September 7, 2010 at 7:13 pm
The Unity demo clip looks beautiful.
Sandy Adam said,
September 7, 2010 at 11:11 pm
The quality is stunning, but how is doing the content creation for you? Or are you learning that as well? (Georgianna Blackburn in SL)
framedin3d said,
September 8, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Hello Georgianna! I actually am not a content creator– short of creating my own avatars for clients. I have a team that does that. I don’t have an official team from Unity but there is so much talent out there are far as people who build and can light a set, people who do animations, etc.
Ener Hax said,
September 8, 2010 at 12:11 am
outstanding work!
Ricky Grove said,
September 8, 2010 at 5:43 am
very nice post. I’ve been following Unity for a while now. Perhaps it’s time to dive in. Thanks for the info and ideas.
framedin3d said,
September 8, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Give it a shot, Ricky! On their website I think they have a showcase but for some of the newer, cooler stuff on the market– there is a Showcase forum (in the community forums) where actual users post their work.
Mani said,
September 9, 2010 at 12:42 am
First of all I had to google the word machin… you know what I mean. I look forward to some hotness from your side. Drop by IU3D and share what you’ve got when you can.
M
framedin3d said,
September 10, 2010 at 11:18 am
Manuel!
Haha, the way you wrote your comment it was MAJORLY sent through my spam filters 🙂 I didn’t get through the whole comment and was about to let that slide. Anyway– you’re a funny guy. 🙂
How can I share my work on your site? Can I add videos as a user? Would you be able to post this trailer I made for Friend’s Hangout?