Cine Tracer news & patch notes

This update adds a new collection of "Activewear" clothing and a new set of animations for the actors. The vehicles material has also been made shinier to help visualize reflections. Please watch the YouTube video walk through for more details. Cheers, Matt

This update adds "Animations" to the actors as an alternative to the posing system. You can also "Duplicate/Copy" Actors which was previously unimplemented when you pressed C. Cheers, Matt

This update adds several new "Worker" clothing assets and the ability for the actors to wear hats. Also added the ability for the actor's hair to be removable to accommodate wearing hats. Cheers, Matt

This update adds:

• 2x Male Army Uniforms
• 2x Male Chef Tops
• 1x Male Firefighter Top
• 1x Male Firefighter Pants
• 2x Female Army Uniforms
• 1x Female Chef Top
• 1x Female Dress

Cheers, Matt

This update adds 7 new outfits to the MetaHuman actor system. Each are color customizable. Cheers, Matt

This update adds the ability to import "3D models" in the FBX format into Cine Tracer. This can be used to bring in new props, full locations, and 3D scans. This feature requires the use of Blender for processing and exporting. Blender if free for PC and Windows. Cheers, Matt

New Vehicle system has been added. Vehicles can be customized and MetaHumans will automatically pose inside of them. New Clothing added for the Male and Female MetaHumans. MacOS update will be large and or may require a full reinstall. We have to revert to an old Metal Shader target for this build.

This update introduces the new Meta Furniture system that allows for automatic posing. Please watch the YouTube video tutorial to see how the system works. Updates: - When you "Grab" (Hotkey G) an object, it's original transform is saved. Basically when you Grab move, it won't reset the rotation every time. - Certain lights were being loaded twice, that is now fixed. - Department Menu has been reorganized and MetaFurniture "Furniture" category has been added. - Hovering an object no longer highlights the object and plays a sound. At the moment only the PC version has been updated to v0.7.5.2. The MacOS version is still on the previous version. I'm working on the MacOS version but running into some issues. Cheers, Matt

Implemented "Character Building" hotkeys and fixed the Tub being a Counter.

Welcome to Cine Tracer v0.7.5! This update adds 10 MetaHumans that are semi customizable and updates the game engine to Unreal Engine 4.27.2. For a walk through on how to pose the MetaHumans and change their clothing please watch the update video on YouTube. This is a major update and there are some changes to be noted: 1. This update changed how assets are loaded at run time. For now we have disabled "Character Building" with the Hotkeys. This functionality will be updated in future updates. Please use "Editor" building for now. 2. Many assets have been removed. If you are in production and want to work on older project, please download the "v0_63" beta branch. The YouTube video linked to this update shows the process. Also please backup your project folder in general. 3. Legacy Cameras, some props, and all characters except "Stand Ins" have been removed in this build. The memory footprint of the app has been refactored and this build has been confirmed to work on older iMacs as well as the newer M1 Apple laptops. For PC, 4GB of VRAM is still recommended. Cheers, Matt

Cine Tracer v0.63 is live for Windows64 and Mac OS. Please restart Steam to get the update and watch the YouTube tutorial covering what is new. - New "Canyons Road" map build using the new environment system. - New preview "Custom Bed" object. - New couch props. - Iteration on the Gizmo for moving objects in Editor mode. Next update will be for the building system and will re introduce Pre Made interior maps as well. Cheers, Matt

Cine Tracer v0.62 is live on Steam for MacOS and Windows 64. Please restart Steam and or your computer to get the update. Make sure you aren't on a Beta Branch if you wanted the latest version. This update brings three new maps that are built with our new environment system. They are much higher quality and should still perform well on modest computer systems. In Editor Mode you will be able to use your Arrow Keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to move selected objects based on your editor view. The Gizmos have also been updated (although not the final design) to work by clicking and dragging side to side. This allows for more consistent interactions with less bugs. Cheers, Matt

In this update the new camera system has been added and there are a new set of cameras. They have a unified UI and control system with "Marks" and they now save with your project. There are still some small bugs that need to be fixed but overall the new camera design is functioning. - Added Dolly with Circle Track - Re Designed the Tracked "Virtual" Camera system The Storyboard system has been updated to work with the new more accurate full screen field of view. However, this means your older storyboards won't have the correct field of view. Likewise, using the "Legacy" cameras will result in inaccurate storyboard field of view. You can use an older Beta Branch build if you have a project still using the older cameras and storyboard system. Tutorials on the new camera system and Tracked Camera are on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/cinetracer Cheers, Matt

Cine Tracer v0.60 is live on Steam for PC and MacOS. There are 5 new videos on the Cine Tracer YouTube channels explaining the updates. 1. New Maps. I've added two new WIP maps to Cine Tracer. They are created in a way that should perform well on modest computer hardware and they work with the new system. I will continue to make new maps for users who are not interested in building set with the building system. 2. New Props. I've added some new props. 3. Face Actors. The new Face Actors can have their faces controlled by audio or by using the FaceCap App on an iPhone or iPad Pro. These actors will continue to evolve to support full body motion capture as well. 4. New Cameras. The new Free Camera is the first of the newly updated camera system. It doesn't currently save or work with the storyboard system yet. The rest of the cameras will be gradually upgraded to this new system. 5. Inertia Wheels can control the new Geared Head camera. 6. VR Mode has been implemented. I have tested the HTC Vive Pro, Vive Pro Eye, and Valve Index. I'll do my best to support Oculus and Windows Mixed Reality as development continues. Cheers, Matt

Apple recently made some changes to MacOS that require apps to be "Notarized" and also be 64 bit for Catalina. I'm still currently working on getting it Notarized from Apple, which should fix this issue. In the mean time, some users report that launching the app DIRECTLY (not from Steam) gets around this issue. To Launch the Game Directly: Macintosh HD⁩ ▸ ⁨Users⁩ ▸ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨Steam⁩ ▸ ⁨steamapps⁩ ▸ ⁨common⁩ ▸ ⁨CineTracer⁩ 1. Go to Finder 2. Go to "Go" and hold "Option" 3. Click on "Library" 4. Click on "Application Support" 5. Click on "Steam" 6. Click on "steamapps" 7. Click on "common" 8. Launch CineTracer.app 9. Right Click -> Make Alias for later use Hopefully when I manage to get the app notarized you will be able to launch the game from Steam again. Cheers, Matt *PC users, same as always

Cine Tracer v0.5 is a very big update. Please watch the YouTube video for a very thorough explanation of the development direction and overview of the new workflow. There are also several video explaining how to build with the new system. Mac OS If you have Mojave/Catalina, make sure you install the 64bit Steam client. I have update the launch settings so Steam should recognize Cine Tracer a 64 bit app. People were also reporting that launching Cine Tracer directly from the .app was working too. Windows If you are on an older system and or want to use Direct 11 for better performance, you can add "-dx11" into the Custom Launch Options in Steam. If you have a modern GPU and want to use Ray Tracing, you will default be using DirectX12. I will work on a simpler way of switching between DirectX version, but currently I'm not sure how to do that. Old Save Files Cine Tracer v0.34 will be available as a "Beta Branch" on Steam if you want to open older files or use the older maps that were in that release. You are able to download the latest version any time after but opting out of that beta. If you have any issues feel free to reach out on Instagram/Twitter/YouTube. I do not have the time currently to properly support the game on Steam or via email etc. Lots of Tutorials were produced for this update on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/cinetracer Cheers, Matt

We are using Unreal Engine 4.22.3 with DirectX12 as the default RHI to enable Real Time Ray Tracing for compatible Nvidia Graphics Cards. This is possibly the cause of an launch error for some Nvidia GPUs including the 1080ti, 1050ti, and others. Please try this fix if you are having this issue: Steam -> Library Right Click "Cine Tracer" -> Properties Click "Set Launch Options" Type -dx11 This resolves the issue for some people. I imagine this will disable the ability to use the Ray Tracing options on 10 series cards. This is all new tech and the compatibility between UE4, Windows, Nvidia is changing every day. Cheers, Matt

Version v0.34 is now live on Steam. Please restart to get the update. Please watch the Actor Blocking System walkthrough video on YouTube. https://youtu.be/MOBvWSuzVzQ We will be making the Cine Tracer Developer Roadmap public in the near future. Cine Tracer for PC really wants a DirectX12 / SM5 graphics card (GPU). For MacOS, the newer iMac, iMacPro, MacbookPros with dedicated AMD Graphics Cards are ideal. Cheers, Matt

Hey, Day 2 of Cine Tracer v0.33 and there are some issues being reported. This is normal, it happens every release. What Changed? - Cine Tracer is made with Unreal Engine and the latest v0.33 version of Cine Tracer is made with Unreal Engine 4.22.2 - The new RTX Options requires Windows builds to have default RHI set to DirectX12 and SkinCache enabled. These are UE4 things. For Windows users, this is throwing errors if you don't have DirectX12 SM5 hardware or have Window8 etc. At least that is what I suspect. I'm looking into this issue currently, but in the mean time I've made Cine Tracer v0.32 available as a beta branch, so you can still work. HOW TO USE AN OLDER VERSION: - Restart Steam - Go to Library and Right Click Cine Tracer - Go to Properties - Go to Betas - Select the DirectX11 branch This will now download and install version v0.32. It is possible that newer versions of Cine Tracer will require DirectX12 hardware or we will have to maintain two branches, which is not ideal. Thanks, Matt

Hey, Version 0.33 is live and has the new Real Time Ray Tracing (RTX/DXR) features enabled. There are also lots of updates that do not require RTX hardware. Full walk through video is uploaded to the new Cine Tracer YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/v2acAsrzPzI Notes on Ray Tracing NO Apple or MacOS hardware currently supports real time ray tracing. This doesn't mean that it will NEVER support it. Windows+DirectX12+Nvidia are just first to support it. Windows Requirements for Real Time Ray Tracing - Windows 10 with the latest update. - DirectX 12 with the latest update. - Nvidia 1060, 1070, 1080, 1660, 2060, 2070, 2080, RTX Titan or RTX Quadro. - Latest Nvidia Drivers. If you don't have these requirements, you will still see the RTX options but they will not actually turn on. Cheers, Matt

In this build we have a new default movement mode that combines the "Third Person View" and the "Editor View" together. You can now move and have your mouse, which is important for interacting with almost every object. You can still go to the Third Person and First Person views. Running is now possible as well as flying, by holding down Left Shift. We have changed the "Up and Down" when flying or in a camera to now be Space and Left Ctrl. There are several additions and changes, please watch the YouTube walk through. https://youtu.be/EThI9E6RUXo Cheers, Matt

Cine Tracer v0.31 just went live. We have a new dedicated YouTube channel that will host all Cine Tracer content moving forward. YouTube v0.31 Patch Notes: https://youtu.be/Gzr6fMwUoAw

Patch Notes:

1. New Storyboard System We save the in game storyboards in a new way and the old boards may still load, but moving forward the game uses the new system. You can now "save" the storyboards by hitting the camera icon and it will save a PNG of the storyboard to your project folder. 2. New "Grass Mini Map" We are going to be creating some small "mini maps" that have specific useful biomes or locations. These should hopefully load better on lower end hardware. 3. Stand Ins Your old Stand Ins will still be in the game, but you won't be able to make new ones. Please use the new ones. The new Stand Ins have better skin/eye shaders and you can give them a name and "Tint" their clothing color. 4. New Smoke Props Look in Props to find them. The different types of smoke react to light differently. Smoke #2 requires it to be back lit. 5. New Screen Prop These act like in game signs or power point slides. Use these to easily add a text call out in your scene.

***HOW TO OPEN YOUR OLD SAVES*** Cine Tracer v0.30 now distributes the .SAV files into the "Project Folder." YouTube Walkthrough: https://youtu.be/14U0rP-0QOY Previously they were saved in the following locations: Windows C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Local\CineTracer\Saved\SaveGames MacOS /Users/*username*/Library/Application Support/Epic/CineTracer/Saved/ *Library on MacOS is usually hidden to get to it, go to your desktop and go to to the "Go" menu on the top bar. Then HOLD OPTION and you'll be able to go to the Library folder. 1. To open old save files, navigate to the directory listed above. 2. MOVE the .SAV file into the "Project Folder" that you designated in the game. 3. OR make a new folder and name that folder the EXACT name as the .SAV file and move the .SAV file inside of it. FINAL NOTE: this is a very technical process and after v0.30 you will never have to do this. The .SAV will always be in the project folder.

Hello! Cine Tracer v0.29 is live for PC Win64 and MacOS. Please restart Steam to prompt the update. Please watch the two videos on how to use the NEW Building "Blocks" system. https://youtu.be/43v3zI7b8lE https://youtu.be/Z3DdFuLpEIk Cheers, Matt

Hey Steam Community! TLDR: I'll be spending more time on Steam Community, to help support the new users who aren't on my other platforms. This is Matt Workman, the SOLE developer of Cine Tracer. Thank you for taking the time to try the game/app, even if you hated it or it didn't work on your hardware and you refunded it (seriously). This is my first "game" and my first project on Steam, so all of it is a learning experience for me. Seeing the error reports/bugs etc. all help me make decisions on how to improve the game for the next update.

Early Release until now

Since Early Release in September 2018, I haven't focused on the native Steam platform for feedback/bugs reports etc. Support has been on: - CinematographyDB and CineTracer Instagram DM/Posts - CinematographyDB YouTube - and partially CinematographyDB Facebook/Twitter etc. I've moderated these communities for about 4 years and it's where most of the early community lived.

MOVING FORWARD 2019

The community has grown very quickly and supporting MacOS has brought even more new users. So thank you again. I'll be spending more time on Steam Community, to help support the new users who aren't on my other platforms. I've responded to the first few pages of discussions, feel free to bump any older ones if they still need to be addressed. Thanks again for the feedback, all of it helps shape the next build and the future Cine Tracer. Cheers, Matt

Hey, Just posted the v0.28 Early Release update for Win64 and MacOS. Please watch the new YouTube tutorial to see how things work: https://youtu.be/BWFdBQWSNcw Updates:

• New Actor Controls
• Facial Controls
• Pose System
• MoCap Library with Pausing
• Right and Left Hand Props
• Fixed Import Button
• Fixed some other small bugs

Next update will likely be the building system. Cheers, Matt

Hi! With Early Release version 0.27 we have added support for OSX/MacOS! We have officially tested successfully: - latest iMac Pro (10.13 High Sierra) - latest Macbook Pro 10.14 (Mojave) We are not able to test on lower/older Macs but from our closed Mac beta we can confirm that at least "some" older Macs/GPUs work. We cannot back support older MacOS versions or hardware. That is not in our control, it is dictated by Unreal Engine, the game engine we use to make the game/app.

***RTX***

Please note that Nvidia RTX / DXR aka "Ray Tracing" aka bounced light/global illumination will likely NOT work on any Mac hardware in the near future. If you are looking to buy a new computer and you would like to be able to use the future RTX/DXR version of Cine Tracer, please consider getting a laptop/desktop PC with an Nvidia RTX (20** series) GPU. *** Please follow us on Instagram to stay up to date: http://www.instagram.com/cinematographydb Cheers, Matt