Sequencer Basics

This doc goes over the Unreal Level Sequencer Basics to cover How to use the Cinematic Animation Tools in Unreal.

• Open Unreal 5.6+

• Add a Sphere into the Scene.

  • Select 'Shapes > Sphere' in the 'Place Actors' window.

  • We will use this for a simple animation.

  • Press 'F' to focus on the sphere.

• Add a Camera into the scene..

  • Use 'Cine > Cine Camera Actor' in the 'Place Actors' window.

• Position the camera as desired.

  • Move the Camera manually in the viewport.

    • If needed, set the pivot to 'Local' using the World Icon at the top of the viewport.

  • Right click on the Camera and select 'Pilot CineCameraActor' to fly around the scene to position it.

• Go to the 'Level Sequence' Icon at the top, and select 'Add Level Sequence'.

• Drag the 'Sphere' from the 'Outliner' to the 'Sequencer'.

• Adjust the setting in the Sequencer as desired.

  • Adjust the Frames to your desired frame rate at the top of the 'Sequencer' window.

    • We'll be using 24 fps in this example.

  • Adjust the Total Frame length for the total animation.

    • Slide the Red line at the end of the animation in the Header to your desired length.

    • Right click on the Header and select 'End Time' where you would like the frames to end.

  • Set the Sequence to loop when playing within the sequence.

    • This Icon is at the end of the Record / Play / Skip buttons at the bottom of the sequencer.

    • This will loop when pressing Space to play the sequence.

    • Note this is different from if the sequence loops when playing the scene in the Game Engine.

      • This can be turned on in the Sequencer asset Properties window.

  • Set if you want to apply Auto Keying.

    • Click the Diamond Icon with the Key in it.

    • This will Autokey after a track and at least one keyframe has been added.

  • Add a keyframe to a Sphere property.

    • Expand the Sphere to see its properties.

    • Expand its properties to see its detailed properties.

    • Use the Keyframe button on the Property to set the Keyframe.

    • Use the 'F' key to focus on all selected keyframes.

  • Open the Curve Editor.

    • Select the Curve Editor button at the top right of the options in the Sequencer.

    • Snap the window placement as desired.

    • Make sure to select a property to see the Curves.

    • Use the 'F' key to focus on all selected curves.

• Add a film overlay, such as 3x3 grid, if desired.

  • Set the Viewport to 'Cinematic Viewport'

  • The Film Overlays will be visible in the same menu as the Cinematic Viewport when it is applied.