Any L4D2 machinima-ists on here?

Linkex · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:36

Bit of a long shot this one, as this is only going to make sense to people who have already done this. I fancy having a go at doing some machinima, and after looking at the various options, I decided to go for left 4 dead 2. The process is simple enough - use the source "demo" tools to record the 'actors', then play it back, using the playback tools built into source to set up cameras and stuff, then create the video.

The issue I have is that the camera is taken from the perspective of the person doing the recording, so I can only ever have the other 3 players on screen - even if I manipulate the camera to show where the 'recorder' was standing, they do not appear. I'm pretty sure that theres nothing I can do about this, but I thought I'd ask if anyone knew a clever work around.

I've looked at using Source TV, and trying to record as the server rather than a player, but none of it seems possible. So before I give up and write a 3 character story, thought I'd ask here - any suggestions?

Parky · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:58

I've never done anything like this so I have no idea how it works, but is there not an option to open a console and put some commands to view in third person, then perhaps one to unlock the camera into a free mode?

Linkex · 20 Jan 2013 at 00:23

Thats what I would have thought, but I've not been able to find anything so far - thats really the reason for the thread, I figure if there is a clever way of doing it, someone on here will know.

olivier renault · 20 Jan 2013 at 02:24

Source filmmaker?

Or am I completely off the mark.

Rozzy85 · 20 Jan 2013 at 02:47

Type in console:

thirdperson
thirdperson_mayamode

You'll still need to tweak the viewpoint but that should get you started. There are some 2 other commands under thirdperson that I can't remember.

Linkex · 20 Jan 2013 at 10:59

Thanks for the suggestions, gave it a go, but sadly they do not work - I'm using the 4th person as the camera, so I'm moving it around independent of what the actors are doing. Even in third person, the camera character follows the camera around.

Olivier renault - As far as I can find, the L4D stuff dosen't work in source film maker

Would be very happy to be corrected there.

~>Dg<~ · 20 Jan 2013 at 11:01

think there is work arounds with source maker but you would need to read up on it .

olivier renault · 20 Jan 2013 at 11:37

You need to import the resources into filmmaker.

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/OpenSourceFilmmaker/discussions/2/864947149153770006/

Looks like a lot of messing about though.