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Layout in Unity

Layout in Unity

Table of Contents

Summary

This document is a comprehensive guide to doing layout in Unity, covering asset placement, camera techniques, timeline management, and export processes in Unity for film and interactive productions.

The article will focus on the use of the SYNK tools available for those processes.

Tutorial video

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Introduction to layout in Unity

Layout is a crucial step in 3D storytelling, where artists use storyboards to position characters, props, vehicles, and cameras in various environments. It focuses on cinematography, staging, and composition, involving animation, lighting, and modeling. Real-time work allows for unprecedented artistic freedom, such as working in pre-lit environments or with simulated elements like oceans, enhancing creativity in camera and character placement.

Before starting

To start working on Layout in Unity, you will need first to make sure that :

  • All the assets that are required in the storytelling of your sequence (meaning characters, decors, props and vehicles) have at least been modeled and rigged if needed (or that WIP versions have been published).

  • The set dressing of the required sets have been published and these sets built in an Environment Project.

  • The Sequence Scenes have been built in this Environment Project.

Once you checked that these steps have been completed, you can proceed.

Publishes from Layout

Now that you understand layout and its requirements, it's important to know the outputs of your work:

  • Caches: Cameras and animated assets will be exported from Unity to Maya for building Anim Preparation files, serving as a canvas for animators.

  • Layout Renders: Published to ftrack for review.

  • Timeline Exports: OTIO files for any shot length modifications during layout.

Frame rate

Depending on your global geolocation, you’ll use different frame rates for your rendered productions following these establishments:

  • 24 fps for movies

  • 25/50 fps in Europe for TV and commercials

  • 30/60 fps in the US or Japan for TV and commercials

It is important to establish the frame rate before thinking about starting with the Layout.

Starting the task

Ftrack

In order to start working on the layout of your sequence, you will first need to:

  1. Make sure you’re logged in to Ftrack connect, which is a standalone app.

  1. Travel to the Layout task of the sequence you want to work on.

  1. Launch the SYNK Git Unity Project Tool action.

Git Unity Project Tool

Once the Git Unity Project Tool opens, you'll need to:

  1. Set up the unity projects directory if this is your first time launching the tool

  1. Clone the unity project if this is your first time working on a task in this environment

  1. Make sure you have all the latest changes

Unity

Now open your Unity project through th Unity Hub. Once Unity opens, you'll need to:

  1. Make sure the SYNK packages are up to date

  1. Check or change the task status

  1. Lock the scenes you want to work on

Requirements and best practices

Now that you’ve opened the Unity project, here’s some general things to know about the interface and the workflow.

There are 2 main display windows in Unity :

  • Scene view: a view in which you can freely move around in space, place objects, move them, etc. This is the main window that you will use to work in

  • Game view: a view that acts as a display screen for your active cameras and overlays