Tutorial: Convert your 3D CGI footage into immersive VR180

Do you have some great computer-generated 3D animated content? Use this tutorial to convert it into immersive virtual reality video! Take your animated videos to the next level in high-quality VR. Note: In this tutorial, we will be using the software Blender 3D. Other tools may require different settings. 

Want to learn how to render a 3D CGI background for your green screen VR video? We have a tutorial for that!

What do you need to follow this tutorial? 

• Basic knowledge of Blender 3D (free, open-source)
• Basic knowledge of After Effects (Adobe product)
• Sample files: download here (approx 1mb)  

Step-by-step guide to rendering a 3D background scene for VR:

We are using a simple 3D model designed by Rahadian Rayhan at 3dmodel.com. Download the project files at the link above. 

First, watch this video to see how to convert a 3D design into VR180 video: 

To best merge VR video with your 3D background image, you must pay attention to measurements and size. In general, aim to keep to real-life dimensions, for example, a door height should be around 2 metres. 

Add the camera perspective to the scene and try to keep it as accurate as possible. The key elements to keep in mind are the camera angle and the height from the floor. In most cases, while creating the video footage you should keep the camera straight and static - it looks better in VR and won’t cause dizziness. 

Prepare Blender for VR rendering. Set up your camera to be: VR stereo image, with the relevant field of view (FOV) for the footage you want to use. We use: Panoramic, Fisheye Equidistant camera.

Check the FOV of your lens. For example, the Izugar MX200 has a 200mm FOV, while the Canon RF lens has a 190mm FOV.

In Blender render settings, check Stereoscopy. With this option, Blender will render both left and right images.

Render your image. Save this, and open in After Effects. 

Sometimes you need to prepare a few test renders to check how your video matches the 3D render. Use low sample settings - about 20 with denoiser is usually enough at this stage. 

For the final render, use 500-1000 or more - it depends on the scene.

Note: For a better 3D image, hit spherical stereo and center (not off axis). 

That's all! Now you can create your own VR footage from any 3D CGI content you have created previously.

Be sure to upload these videos to DeoVR and share your creations on the DeoVR Facebook page and other social media!