CyberGaffer is creating a seamless bridge between virtual and physical lighting for film production. This software calibrates real studio lights to precisely match the lighting created in Unreal Engine, eliminating tedious manual adjustments while providing perfect synchronization between virtual scenes and physical actors.
From Pixels to Photons: Calibrating the lighting universe
CyberGaffer approaches lighting from a fundamentally different angle than traditional methods. Instead of manually positioning and adjusting physical lights to match a creative vision:
The system uses a white calibration sphere to understand how each light source affects the environment, including secondary reflections
Directors and DPs can work entirely within Unreal Engine, moving virtual lights as needed
Physical studio lights automatically adjust to match the virtual lighting setup in real-time
The system accounts for environmental factors like green screens, adjusting floor lights to eliminate spill
Beyond Green Screens: Enhancing virtual production environments
The technology offers substantial benefits for virtual production setups that extend beyond basic lighting control:
CyberGaffer can ensure background color evenness for cleaner keying in green screen environments
It automatically sends the exact background color data to keying software like The Ultimatte
The system works with LED volumes, rear projection systems, and other background display technologies
Future releases will provide color matching between cameras, lights, and background displays to eliminate pipeline adjustments
Lighting the Path Forward: What this means for production workflows
The implications for production teams are significant, potentially transforming standard on-set practices:
Lighting adjustments that once took hours can be accomplished in moments through software
Creative decisions can be visualized and implemented instantly without complex physical rigging
The technology bridges the gap between pre-visualization and physical production
As the system evolves, it promises to further streamline the integration between virtual and physical production elements
