I’ve created this small piece as a personal challenge, aiming to test Unreal Engine as a quick tool for achieving photorealistic renders for my 3dsMax models and animations.
The result of this test exceeded my expectations!
My goals were:
- Learn the basics of Unreal Engine 5 focused on filmmaking within 1 week.
- Complete a small project including animation and photorealistic render within a maximum of 2 weeks.
- Use free resources whenever possible. – Learn new techniques and tools to enrich my work.
- Determine the viability of a workflow integrating 3dsMax for modeling/animation with UE5 for shading, lighting and rendering.
I’m still amazed by the quality and efficiency of UE5. It took only 50 seconds to render the 705 frames of this animation!!
I will definitely continue exploring this workflow.
Sculpture modeling: 3dsMax + TyFlow
Camera Animation: 3dsMax
Materials, Lighting & Render: Unreal Engine 5
All camera effects done in UE5: autofocus on tracked actor, bloom, lens flare, motion blur.
705 frames 1920×823 rendered in 50 seconds.
No image postproduction.
Sound editing: After Effects.
Resources used (all free!):
– Free UE5 filmmaking course (excellent!): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIn-yd4vnXbjWeYqU7epakdnVzoysMToy
– Mixamo (dance pose and basic mannequin): https://www.mixamo.com/#/?page=1&query=dance&type=Motion%2CMotionPack
– Stone models with PBR textures: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/lowpoly-rocks-1-d9ffac943bb24a609c1082c1aa118d76
– TyFlow basic tutorial (in Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o34GbjfWNhw
– Tutorial “How to Transfer 3ds Max Animated Camera to Unreal Engine 5”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw8hDXUCdVY
– 3dsMax script “Unreal Engine 4 – Camera Animation Exporter” (also works for UE5): https://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/unreal-engine-4-camera-animation-exporter
– Pedestal model: Quixel Bridge (free library within UE5)
– HDR Lighting/Background: https://polyhaven.com/a/je_gray_02
Hernán A. Rodenstein.
