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| Source Filmmaker | |
|---|---|
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| Developer | Valve |
| Initial release | 27 June 2012; 13 years ago (2012-06-27) |
| Preview release | |
| Written in | C/C++ |
| Engine |
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| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Size | 15.71 GB[2][5] |
| Available in | English[2] |
| Type | 3D computer graphics software |
| License | Freeware[5] |
| Website | sourcefilmmaker |
Source Filmmaker (SFM) is a free3D computer graphics software tool published byValve for creatinganimated films, which uses theSource game engine.[6] Source Filmmaker has been used to create many community-based animated shorts for various Source games, such asTeam Fortress 2, theLeft 4 Dead series, andHalf-Life 2.
Source Filmmaker is a tool for animating, editing, and rendering 3D animated videos using assets from most games which use the Source engine, such as sounds, models, and, backdrops. SFM also allows for the creation of still images, art, and posters.[7]
SFM contains three different user interfaces and a "work camera" for previewing an active scene. The three interfaces are used for creating clips, controlling animation, and making fine-tuned adjustments, which include:
Users can either create new projects or import data from Source-based games to extend their SFM animations. SFM also supports severalcinematographic effects and techniques such asmotion blur,Tyndall effects,dynamic lighting, anddepth of field. Users can also useinverse kinematics to manually animate movements.
More advanced users can use Source's official modding tools to create environments,[16] import new models and characters,[17] change textures,[18] and make scripts[19] that make their workflow easier.
SFM was developed internally at Valve in 2005 and most of it was based on the code from the in-game demo playback tool found in Source. SFM was used to makeDay of Defeat: Source trailers with effects that could not be achieved in real-time.[20] The tool was used extensively for certain promotional materials for the release ofTeam Fortress 2, particularly theMeet the Team trailers.[21] This version of SFM, which ran using Source's in-game tools framework, was unintentionally leaked during the public beta ofTeam Fortress 2 in September 2007.[22] By 2010, the entire interface was re-implemented usingQt 4 and given its engine branch for further development.
Before SFM was released to the public,Team Fortress 2 carried a simplified version of SFM known as the "Replay Editor", which was limited to capturing the actual events occurring throughout a player's life. It provided no ability to modify actions, repeat segments, or apply special effects beyond those already used in-game. However, arbitrary camera angles were possible, such as tracking the movements of other players in action at the time. The Replay Editor also allowed users to upload completed videos toYouTube.[23]
On June 27, 2012, SFM became available on a limited basis through Steam, the same day the final Meet the Team video "Meet the Pyro" was released.[24] The open beta forWindows was released as of July 11, 2012[update].[25][26] From 2011 to 2018, Valve operated a competition known as theSaxxy Awards for community-made SFM animations.[27] Winners were awarded an in-game item inTeam Fortress 2[28] called a Saxxy, which resembles an Oscar Statuette in the likeness of theTeam Fortress 2 character Saxton Hale. The Saxxy can be used as a melee weapon, and is one of only three in-game items to possess the unique effect of turning enemy players into gold if killed by someone wielding one.[29]
On April 1, 2013, Valve implemented support for theSteam Workshop, which allows users to upload their custom-made assets onto the Steam community. These assets range from video game models and sound to animation project files.[30]
A version of the software for Valve'sSource 2 engine, known as Source 2 Filmmaker, was released on May 15, 2020, alongside other development tools forHalf-Life: Alyx.[31]
In February 2023,Facepunch announced they were producing their own successor to SFM due to compatibility issues with their own game platform,S&box.[32] S&box, like Half-Life: Alyx, runs on the Source 2 engine.
The Saxxy awards were given to a total of 33 winners, ranging from comedic or action shorts to extended short films across a variety of genres. Longer films produced with the software includeDarkest Days, an hour-longjukebox musical based onLeft 4 Dead 2, andEmesis Blue, a 108-minutepsychological horror feature film based onTeam Fortress 2.[33][34]
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