Timeline and Cinemachine In Unity

Timeline is a Visual tool for creating cutscenes, animations, and sequences. You drag and drop clips on a timeline. Cinemachine is a Smart camera system. Cameras can follow players, switch between angles, and create smooth movements.

Installing Cinemachine

• Window -> Package Manager.
• Search "Cinemachine" -> Install.

Timeline comes built-in with Unity.

Cinemachine Basic Follow Camera

Step 1: Cinemachine - Create Virtual Camera.

Step 2: Select virtual camera - In Inspector:

• Follow: Drag your player.
• Look At: Drag your player.

Step 3: Adjust Body settings (how camera follows):

• Binding Mode: Lock to Target (world space)
• Follow Offset: Distance from player (ex: 0, 2, -5)

Step 4: Adjust Aim settings (where camera looks): Dead Zone – Small movement without camera moving

Step 5: Disable Main Camera (Cinemachine takes over) - Press Play. Camera follows player smoothly.

Cinemachine Camera Shake (Impulse)

Add shake for explosions or hits.

using Cinemachine;
public class CameraShake : MonoBehaviour
{
    public CinemachineImpulseSource impulseSource;
    public void ShakeCamera()
    {
        impulseSource.GenerateImpulse();
    }
}

Add Cinemachine Impulse Source component to camera. Call ShakeCamera() when needed.

Timeline – Creating a Cutscene

• Window -> Sequencing -> Timeline.
• Select a GameObject in Hierarchy -> Click "Create" in Timeline window.
• Name and save the Timeline asset.

Adding Animation to Timeline

• Add track -> Animation Track.
• Drag your character into the track (assigns as binding).
• Right-click track -> Add Animation Clip.
• Record animation or drag existing clip.

Adding Camera Movement to Timeline

• Add track -> Cinemachine Track
• Drag your Cinemachine camera into track
• Right-click -> Add Cinemachine Shot Clip
• Another camera -> Add another clip –> camera switches automatically

Adding Audio to Timeline

• Add track -> Audio Track.
• Drag GameObject with Audio Source or add audio clip directly.
• Right-click -> Add Audio Clip -> Select your sound.

Playing Timeline from Script

Example:

using UnityEngine.Playables;

public class CutsceneTrigger : MonoBehaviour
{
    public PlayableDirector director;
    void OnTriggerEnter(Collider other)
    {
        if (other.CompareTag("Player"))
        {
            director.Play();
        }
    }
}

PlayableDirector controls the Timeline. Play() starts the cutscene.

Complete Example: Door Opening Cutscene

• Camera 1: Wide shot showing character approaching door.
• Camera 2: Close up of door opening.
• Character Animation: Walking to door.
• Door Animation: Swinging open.
• Audio: Door creak sound.

Timeline setup:

• Cinemachine Track with 2 shots (Camera 1 - Camera 2).
• Animation Track (Character walking).
• Animation Track (Door opening).
• Audio Track (Door sound).

Cinemachine Basic Cameras

• Virtual Camera: Follow player, cutscene shots.
• Free Look Camera: Orbit around player (RPG style).
• Group Camera: Follow multiple targets (racing games).

Timeline Tracks

• Animation Track: Controls character animations.
• Audio Track: Handles music and sound effects.
• Cinemachine Track: Manages camera shots and transitions.
• Activation Track: Enables/disables GameObjects.
• Signal Track: Triggers events (calls functions).

Cinemachine vs Manual Camera Code