Valve Releasing Free Source Filmmaker Tool

DoctorFinger · 06-27-2012, 12:59 PM

Valve dropped two videos on us today. One is what you expected, one is something a bit different. The Source Filmmaker (SFM) is a full features animation tool using the Source engine itself and running on your PC. It's the same toolset the company uses to make all of it's CGI movies, from Left 4 Dead to TF2 to Portal to Dota 2.

For now the SFM is limited to the world of Team Fortress 2, but that's still a pretty expansive world which expands constantly with new weapons, equipment and maps. The blog post and FAQ imply that the toolset may be expanded to include assets from other Valve games, but for now it's only TF2. Now, this is a pretty niche thing - most of us aren't going to make animated movies - but it's nonetheless a really interesting tangent for a game engine to take. Other game engines have included machinima tools before, but the SFM seems to be more robust than most of them.

You can apply for a SFM beta here. They're only releasing a few at the moment, but more are on the way. Your chances of getting one are increased if you've created a highly rated item on the Steam Workshop.

Oh, and they also released the Meet the Pyro video. I wouldn't say it's the best of the Meet The Team features, but it's up near the top of the list.

TheKeck · 06-27-2012, 01:10 PM

That made me happy. (Just talking about the Pyro video.)

Seemed to steer away from the "pyro is a female" theory.

Krispy · 06-27-2012, 01:31 PM

I loved the video.

National Kato · 06-27-2012, 02:21 PM

Something like the Source Filmmaker tool is long overdue. Whether it was Max Payne or Gary's Mod or other early adopters of in-game filmmaking tools, nothing was as integrated and streamlined for use as a filmmaking tool as this, from all appearances.

Wish I had this 15 years ago when I was doing my own machinima.

J Arcane · 06-27-2012, 02:21 PM

I've signed up for the beta already.

Disappointed it only includes TF2 for now though.

Exodus · 06-27-2012, 03:52 PM

I had a good chuckle at the pyro video.

Good for Valve, always doing awesome things as usual.

Lint of Death · 06-27-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKeck

That made me happy. (Just talking about the Pyro video.)

Seemed to steer away from the "pyro is a female" theory.

They actually applied their usual "pair of useless hints" strategy again: the Scout refers to the Pyro as "he", while the song lyrics are about a girl.

Shjinta · 06-27-2012, 04:51 PM

wow people at valve are fucking wack jobs... lol

Worldcrafter · 06-27-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lint of Death

They actually applied their usual "pair of useless hints" strategy again: the Scout refers to the Pyro as "he", while the song lyrics are about a girl.

Not only that, but check the scout's CC:

Valve, you sly devils!

Wasson_ · 06-27-2012, 04:57 PM

I believe in magic.

MagGnome · 06-27-2012, 06:49 PM

That Pyro video is great! I got a good laugh out of it.

Valve rarely ceases to put a smile on my face.

Vandabo · 06-27-2012, 06:54 PM

The music box "tank" for his rainbow-thrower was a great touch.

Cit Phil Cit · 06-28-2012, 02:04 AM

Very funny. Really liked it. 5 years coming.

CES · 06-28-2012, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Arcane

I've signed up for the beta already.

Disappointed it only includes TF2 for now though.

It'll take all of 10 minutes after the fist keys go out for someone to add in the rest of the Source assets, Valve even gave it their blessing.

Deadend · 06-28-2012, 09:36 PM

Depending on the import options, and the integration with a marketplace, and eventual price.. this could be a huge boon for 3D animation.

It could also be another step in Valve's slow goal of making Source a direct compettion to Unreal engine. As I have a strong feeling that there are people at Valve who are positioning Source as being able to rock it next-gen, and maybe also get a good 3rd person Source based action game.

One of my friends wants to use it to animate a podcast we do, just some bits, see how it goes.

evilgoodwin · 06-28-2012, 11:17 PM

I'm impressed that they produced their films with this.

Waiting for a Portal movie :P

06-27-2012, 12:59 PM	#1
DoctorFinger Editor in Chief Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 13,871 Blog Entries: 10	Valve Releasing Free Source Filmmaker Tool Valve dropped two videos on us today. One is what you expected, one is something a bit different. The Source Filmmaker (SFM) is a full features animation tool using the Source engine itself and running on your PC. It's the same toolset the company uses to make all of it's CGI movies, from Left 4 Dead to TF2 to Portal to Dota 2. For now the SFM is limited to the world of Team Fortress 2, but that's still a pretty expansive world which expands constantly with new weapons, equipment and maps. The blog post and FAQ imply that the toolset may be expanded to include assets from other Valve games, but for now it's only TF2. Now, this is a pretty niche thing - most of us aren't going to make animated movies - but it's nonetheless a really interesting tangent for a game engine to take. Other game engines have included machinima tools before, but the SFM seems to be more robust than most of them. You can apply for a SFM beta here. They're only releasing a few at the moment, but more are on the way. Your chances of getting one are increased if you've created a highly rated item on the Steam Workshop. Oh, and they also released the Meet the Pyro video. I wouldn't say it's the best of the Meet The Team features, but it's up near the top of the list.

06-27-2012, 02:21 PM	#4
National Kato Surfer Rosa Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sun & Sand Posts: 9,326	Something like the Source Filmmaker tool is long overdue. Whether it was Max Payne or Gary's Mod or other early adopters of in-game filmmaking tools, nothing was as integrated and streamlined for use as a filmmaking tool as this, from all appearances. Wish I had this 15 years ago when I was doing my own machinima. __________________ 360: National Kato PSN: National_Kato Steam: NationalKato Origin: NationalKato Now Playing: Blood Dragon / NHL 13 / Battlefield 3 / Borderlands 2 DLC / Skyrim [smith.ink]

06-27-2012, 02:21 PM	#5
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,478 Blog Entries: 1	I've signed up for the beta already. Disappointed it only includes TF2 for now though. __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

06-27-2012, 03:52 PM	#6
Exodus Vampire Robot Dragon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 5,606	I had a good chuckle at the pyro video. Good for Valve, always doing awesome things as usual. __________________ Life is not so easy as a toss of a coin, landing on one side or another, our simple illusions. That's why you roll with d20 dice! Last edited by Exodus; 06-27-2012 at 03:54 PM.

06-27-2012, 04:51 PM	#8
Shjinta Old Picky Bastard Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 1,943 Blog Entries: 2	wow people at valve are fucking wack jobs... lol __________________ Currently Watching: Buffy The Vampire Slayer 2/7, Becker 1/3

06-27-2012, 01:10 PM	#2
TheKeck FIFTY POSTS PER PAGE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lehi, Utah Posts: 8,290	That made me happy. (Just talking about the Pyro video.) Seemed to steer away from the "pyro is a female" theory.

06-27-2012, 04:57 PM	#10
Wasson_ The Last Starfighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: AREA 88 Posts: 3,788	I believe in magic. __________________ THE RUSSIANS SENT A TANK TO THE MOON! -O. Urungus

06-28-2012, 02:04 AM	#13
Cit Phil Cit Clockwork Horror Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 997	Very funny. Really liked it. 5 years coming. __________________ Steam ID: Citizen Philip

06-28-2012, 09:36 PM	#15
Deadend Done Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Detroit Area, MI Posts: 4,147 Blog Entries: 2	Depending on the import options, and the integration with a marketplace, and eventual price.. this could be a huge boon for 3D animation. It could also be another step in Valve's slow goal of making Source a direct compettion to Unreal engine. As I have a strong feeling that there are people at Valve who are positioning Source as being able to rock it next-gen, and maybe also get a good 3rd person Source based action game. One of my friends wants to use it to animate a podcast we do, just some bits, see how it goes.

06-28-2012, 11:17 PM	#16
evilgoodwin Abomination Unto Nuggan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 8,727 Blog Entries: 1	I'm impressed that they produced their films with this. Waiting for a Portal movie :P __________________ PSN/Steam: evilgoodwin The Nonsensical Prose of a Lunatic Currently Watching: American Horror Story - S02, Angel - S03, Buffy - S06, Deadwood - S01, Dollhouse - S01, GoT - S03, Mad Men - S06, Star Trek TNG - S05 Currently Playing: Bioshock: Infinite (PS3), Final Fantasy IX (PS1), Minecraft (PC), RE4 (WII), Fire Emblem (3DS), EO4 (3DS)

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