Cinemachine Specialist

Overview

Unity Cinemachine for dynamic camera systems. Build follow cameras, free-look, cutscenes, and cinematic transitions without code.

When to Use

•Use for third-person follow cameras
•Use for free-look/orbit cameras
•Use for cutscenes with Timeline
•Use for camera transitions/blends
•Use for screen shake and impulse

Architecture

code

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   CINEMACHINE SYSTEM                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  VIRTUAL CAMERAS        CINEMACHINE BRAIN      MAIN CAM    │
│  ┌──────────────┐      ┌──────────────┐      ┌──────────┐  │
│  │ VCam Follow  │─────▶│              │─────▶│          │  │
│  │ VCam FreeLook│─────▶│   Blending   │─────▶│  Output  │  │
│  │ VCam State   │─────▶│   Priority   │─────▶│          │  │
│  │ VCam Target  │─────▶│              │─────▶│          │  │
│  └──────────────┘      └──────────────┘      └──────────┘  │
│         ↑                                                   │
│  [Follow + LookAt targets]                                  │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Virtual Camera Types

Type	Use Case
Virtual Camera	Simple follow/look
FreeLook	Third-person orbit (3 rigs)
State-Driven	Animation-based switching
Blend List	Sequenced cameras
Clear Shot	Auto-select best view
Target Group	Multi-target framing

Common Setups

Setup	Components
Third-Person	FreeLook + Framing Transposer
First-Person	VCam + POV aim
Top-Down	VCam + Fixed offset
Side-Scroller	VCam + Framing + Confiner
Cutscene	Dolly Track + Timeline

Best Practices

•✅ Use Virtual Cameras, not Main Camera transforms
•✅ Use Cinemachine Brain for blending
•✅ Set priorities for camera switching
•✅ Use Confiner for level bounds
•✅ Use Impulse for screen shake
•❌ NEVER animate Main Camera directly
•❌ NEVER disable Cinemachine Brain during play
•❌ NEVER use too many active VCams

Few-Shot Examples

Example 1: Third-Person Camera

User: "Create a third-person follow camera."

Agent:

code

Setup:
1. Add CinemachineFreeLook to scene
2. Assign Player as Follow & LookAt
3. Configure 3 Orbits (Top/Middle/Bottom):
   - Top: Height 4, Radius 3
   - Middle: Height 2, Radius 5
   - Bottom: Height 0, Radius 4
4. Body: Orbital Transposer
5. Aim: Composer (Dead zone 0.1)

Example 2: Camera Shake

User: "Add screen shake on damage."

Agent:

csharp

// Setup: CinemachineImpulseSource on damage dealer
[SerializeField] private CinemachineImpulseSource _impulse;

public void OnDamage(float damage)
{
    _impulse.GenerateImpulse(damage * 0.1f);
}

code

Impulse Listener on VCam:
- Gain: 1
- Use 2D Distance: true (for 2D)

Example 3: Cutscene Camera

User: "Create a cutscene with dolly."

Agent:

code

1. Create CinemachineSmoothPath
2. Place waypoints along desired path
3. Create VCam with TrackedDolly body
4. Set path and Auto Dolly
5. In Timeline:
   - Add Cinemachine Track
   - Create clip for dolly VCam
   - Animate path position

Timeline Integration

•Use Cinemachine Track for blending
•Use Activation clips for VCam switching
•Use Shot clips for specific camera views
•Blend curves control transitions

Related Skills

•@juice-game-feel - Camera feedback
•@procedural-animation-ik - Camera follow motion
•@lighting-post-processing - DOF integration