Basic of a Cinematic

Basics of a Cinematic
By Archian

Introduction:
In this tutorial you will learn about starting and ending a cinematic, aswell as some few basic hints.

Starting a cinematic:
A cinematic can have diffrent kinds of events, for instance a unit entering a region or time elapsed etc. this is all up to you what you wish to start the cinematic with.

Cinematic Mode:
You have to be in cinematic mode in order to make a cinematic.
"Turn cinematic mode On for (All players)" This will disable Fog of War,The Black Mask and disable the user control.


(Example of getting to the "Cinematic Mode")

Useing the "Cinematic - Turn on letterbox mode (hide interface) for (Your and/or All Players): fade out over 2.00 seconds" will fade the interface over the amount of seconds you've choosen (In this case 2.00 seconds) this will make it look like a more "clean, smooth" fade over.

Useing the "Cinematic - Disable user control for (Your and/or All Players)" removes all units from the selection of the player, removing the normal circle under the units when you select them. This will also ensure that when the cinematic is over, they won't have their previously selected units selected.

(These are some of the triggers im useing to start the cinematic)

"Scenes":
When you're in the "Cinematic Mode" you can now begin making the cinematic.
Notice, that scenes are a custom term, you decide what the cinematic is going to contain, the editor isn't going to make it for you.

Cameras:
You have to create custom cameras to change the cinematic view.
Do this under "Camera Pallete" and click "Create Camera".
Place the camera where you want it on the map. (Double click the camera to view the available options for it).



Camera Name:
The camera name is actually irrelevant; though it would be smart if you're useing additional cameras.

Camera Values:
Target X: The X location of the camera's target.
Target Y: The Y location of the camera's target.
Z Offset: The location of the camera itself (height).
Rotation: Rotation of the camera around the target.
Angle of Attack (AoA): The angle that the camera is pointing towards the target.
Distance: The distance between the camera and the camera target.
Roll: Roll is the angle that the camera is turned. This can turn it upside down, or on its side.
Field of View (FoV): The width that the camera can see. Changing this value 'zooms' the camera in and out.
Far Clipping (FarZ): Total distance which the camera can see.

To apply a camera, use a trigger, for instance the one shown bellow.
You will discover that there are many ways to apply a camera aswell as to use it.

NOTE - Many cinematics use multiple cameras, not just one. You will probably come to discover that as you work on your cinematic.



See also:
Cinematic general tricks by iNfraNe.
Cinematics for Dummies - The Uber Tutorial by DaemonKillar.

"Conversations/Text Message":
Many people who's creating a cinematic (for a role playing game for instance) usually use "conversations" between the characters.
This can be done by useing for instance the trigger:
Notice you can actually use sounds for the characters. Simply import the sounds you wish the unit to "say" and change the "Play No sound" field to the sound you wish.

Ending the cinematic:
When you wish to end your cinematic, you should do the opposite of what you did to start the cinematic.
Also this can have diffrent kinds of events, which it needs to end the cinematic.

"Cinematic - Enable user control for (All players)" makes you able to control units again.

"Camera - Reset camera for Player 1 (Red) to standard game-view over 0.00 seconds" will reset the camera to the standard game-view of warcraft.


Wc3c's Cinematic's
You can find some of the greatest cinematics here at wc3c's Cinematic Section.

Good luck furthermore in the creation of your cinematic, and may you improve your skills

Quite nice, pretty detailed. Solid tutorial.

Very basic, I suggest you expand on the Camera section be explaining how to make a Camera object, and how to apply it. You might want to also review the different Camera Object fields like FarZ. You mention Scenes but this is a generic term, not a Warcraft term. Some new users (The ones likely to learn somthing from this tutorial) might find themselves looking for "Scene - XXXXX" triggers. I suggest you expand what you mean by 'Scenes' and a link to iNfraNe's cinematic tips wouldn't be a bad idea either (Check the Cinematic forum).

Seems my last post here was never sent. I said, what do you think you should do?

Anyway, update this or I'll have to Graveyard it.

Considering this is targeted at newcomers i agree with Tim that in the category Cameras you should explain each field of a camera.
You should also describe how in the camera palette you can change the current view's angle/direction/zoom with the mouse (which mouse buttons) and then make a snapshot.

not needed.

Also, please dont TELL people to use waits in cinematics. It is wrong.

Sorry for the long waiting time.

~Tutorial edited.

Ok, approved.