Valve releases Source Filmmaker - Make you own movies using the Source game engine

[Arthur]

This is great news, particularly for Machinima fans. If you use your own art assets, you won't have to pay Valve any license fees should you wish to sell your movies commercially.

 

Homepage / FAQ /

 

 

Q. What is the Source Filmmaker?

The Source Filmmaker is the movie-making tool built and used by Valve to make movies inside the Source game engine. It is how we have been making all of our animated short movies. Because the Source Filmmaker uses the same assets as a Source-engine game, what goes into the game can be used in the movie, and vice versa. By using the hardware rendering of a modern PC gaming machine, the SFM allows storytellers to work in a “what you see is what you get” environment so that they can iterate in the context of what it will feel like for the final audience.

 

Q. How do I get the Source Filmmaker?

You can apply for a beta key here and install it from Steam like any other free-to-play game. Note that the beta key request requires Steam to be running on your PC. Initially, we are limiting the number of beta users, but soon we will release the SFM to all users on Steam for free.

 

Q. What are the hardware requirements?

 

OS: Windows 7 / Vista (Windows 7 64-bit suggested)

Processor: 3.0 GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 (or higher) or AMD64 X2 (or higher)

Memory: 2GB (4 GB suggested)

Hard Disk Space: At least 15 GB of Space

Video: NVIDIA GeForce 200 series card or better, or AMD Radeon 3000 series or better (NVIDIA GeForce 400 series or AMD Radeon 5000 series preferred)

Monitor: 1366 x 768 (1920 x 1080 suggested)

Audio: DirectX 9.0c compatible, USB headset with mic (suggested)

[dhicks]

install it from Steam like any other free-to-play game

 

Might it be avaiable via Steam for Schools in the future, do you think?

[Arthur]

I hope so.

 

There are a lot of students at our school who would absolutely love this. Using screen capture software like Fraps or AfterBurner isn't quite the same as creating videos with the game engine itself.

 

Btw, have you seen Crytek's CryENGINE 3 (also free for education)?