DMX in Virtual Production for Film and Stage Performance
Author
Akoulinine, Igor
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-05-28
Pages
103
Abstract
Virtuel produktion i realtid kombinerer optagelser af skuespillere med computerlavede elementer, så kameraet kan fange det endelige billede med det samme. Moderne spilmotorer gør det muligt at interagere direkte med digitale miljøer under optagelsen. I praksis styres de fysiske lamper på settet ofte via DMX-protokollen, mens de virtuelle lys styres i spilmotorens egne værktøjer. Det giver to adskilte systemer, som kan gøre det svært at matche lys mellem den virkelige og den virtuelle del. Dette speciale undersøger, om DMX kan bruges som fælles metode til lysstyring og beskriver fordele og brugervenlighed ved en samlet løsning. Forfatteren designer og implementerer et system, der samler styringen, så hele lyset kan kontrolleres enten fra spilmotoren eller fra en ekstern lyskonsole. En gruppe eksperter blev efterfølgende adspurgt om DMX’ rolle i virtuelle produktionsforløb. Der var stor interesse for metoden, men nogle fandt den endnu ikke tilstrækkeligt bekvem i brug. Specialet afslutter med anbefalinger til videre forskning og videreudvikling af systemet.
Real-time virtual production combines live-action footage with computer-generated elements so the camera can capture the final image on set. Modern game engines let crews interact with digital environments instantly during filming. In practice, physical lights on set are often controlled with the DMX protocol, while virtual lights are managed with tools inside the game engine. These separate systems can make it hard to match real and virtual lighting. This thesis examines whether DMX can serve as a shared lighting control method and outlines the advantages and ease of use of a unified approach. The author designs and implements a system that brings control together, allowing teams to run all lighting either from the game engine or from an external lighting console. Experts were surveyed about the role of DMX in virtual production pipelines. Responses showed strong interest in this approach, but some participants did not find it convenient enough yet. The thesis offers guidelines for further research and future development of the system.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
DMX ; Virtual Production ; Unity ; Lighting
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