Disclaimer

Virtual Production is a complex topic. It is mandatory to understand the basic setup to be able to advance to the advanced techniques (for example set extension and multi pos war).
Furthermore, it is mandatory to understand all the basic principles of Pixera. 

Here is a list of all the VP related documentation in chronological order:

XR System Design 

Unreal Engine (5.2.1) Setup 

Unreal Engine Pixera Setup 

Pixera Connect (Unreal Engine Plugin) 

Studio Camera (Virtual Production) 

Set Extension (Virtual Production) 

Multi-Pos Warp 

Introduction

Starting with Pixera 2.0 Unreal Engine 5.2.1 can be used as a resource in the compositing tab. 

Prior to starting the setup, please check the following prerequisites:

 

• Unreal Engine (compositing resource) only works with a Server License or official Pixera Servers
   
• With Pixera 2.0 Unreal Engine 4.2 is NOT working anymore.
  • In case you are currently working with an Unreal 4.27 Setup please follow the official Epic migration guide:
  • Unreal Engine 5 Migration Guide | Unreal Engine 5.0 Documentation
     
• Unreal is extremely demanding. We recommend using a dedicated powerful director as well as a playout server (e.g. Pixera 4RS. In case of a homebrew, we recommend using a RTX A6000)
   
• Download Unreal from the EPIC Games store from this URL: Epic Games Store DOWNLOAD

Unreal Engine Installation Guide
 

Create an account or log in with an existing account. Navigate to the Unreal Tab and install the correct build version as displayed:
 

Note: sometimes the selection bugs, therefore it is necessary to install the wrong Version first to access 5.2.1. Simply hit install and abort directly. 

Uninstall unwanted versions by choosing remove. 
 

IMPORTANT

Install Epic Games and Unreal Engine on D - Drive. When installed on C - Drive Pixera might not be able to access certain files on the C - Drive. Furthermore after a reimage of the system the installed files will still be accessible.

 

 

Go to options and change the install options:

 

 

 

Unreal Engine Setup

Start Unreal Engine via the Epic Games launcher. In the welcome menu, select Film / Video & Live Events and open the default nDisplay project:

1: Select Film / Video Live Events

2: Select the nDisplay project

3: IMPORTANT: define the correct project location. We recommend choosing the same drive as the installation path.

4: Create project

Pixera Interop Setup

The Interop is an important part of Unreal Integration. Without the correct Interop version, Unreal setups can't be achieved. There are three different Unreal modes in Pixera. Each mode requires the Interop to be in a different root directory:
 

• Dash Game: 
  Interop must be placed beside the Unreal Editor (as seen in the Screenshots below). Whilst installing the Interop the root install directory can be chosen. Please keep in mind that for multiclient setups the interop can be transferred directly via Pixera. If Unreal was installed on the C drive Pixera won't be able to copy the Interop because of windows 
• MultiUser:
  Interop must be placed at the Unreal Editor which does the editing work. Depending on the setup the Control Instance could be placed on a different server in the network.
• Packaged:
  Interop must be placed beside the exe file. 

Download the Pixera Interop from here: Downloads (pixera.one)

Select correct root path. This is the same path as the Unreal Engine installation.

As soon as the installation setups have been completed, unreal projects can be imported into Pixera as a compositing resource.

Interop is installed into the Pixera install path:
 

Furthermore, the Interop installer exchanges the available nDisplay dll´s in the Unreal Engine root install path. The original dll´s are being placed inside the “PixeraBackup” Folder.

The Interop is then either installed or copied via Pixera to the root folder of the Unreal Engine:
 

Triggering the “Copy RXInterop.dll To Configured Nodes” button in Pixera will take the interop from the Pixera install path and copy it into the Unreal Engine root path.

The Unreal Editor path can be found in the Pixera project:
 

Pixera 1.9.143 | 21. September 2023