ZEISS CinCraft Scenario 2.1 Released – Full Manual Calibration for Spherical Prime & Zoom Lenses

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by Heath McKnightNovember 7^th, 2024

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ZEISS has released a major new update of their CinCraft Scenario tracking software. With version 2.1, cinematographers can manually calibrate their lenses without an available pre-filled template, saving time and improving efficiency. This also adds support for spherical prime and zoom lenses. Let’s dive into the update!  

CinCraft Scenario is a real-time camera tracking system for virtual production, VFX, and live compositing, and debuted in 2023. Developed by ZEISS and Ncam, which ZEISS later acquired, the software was made up of a mix of software and hardware components and only worked with ZEISS and ARRI/ZEISS lenses.

Earlier this year, version 2.0 added support for non-ZEISS cine and broadcast lenses, opening it up. It also came with pre-calibrated templates and the Lens Template Finetuner to adjust the lenses to specific instances. Additionally, CinCraft Export 1.0 allows data to be extracted from the proprietary herd file for import into apps like Nuke, Unreal Engine, and Maya.

CinCraft Scenario 2.1 – features 

CinCraft Scenario 2.1 has debuted, and ZEISS considers it a significant software update. With the ability to manually calibrate lenses without a pre-filled template, spherical prime and zoom lenses can be used with CinCraft. The update also improves compatibility with virtual production stages in addition to broadcast applications.

The details of the lens can be entered into CinCraft Scenario — focus, iris, and zoom — to perform an initial calibration with a chart and further fine-tune. The software makes it easy to create lens templates for tracking purposes, opening up support for any lens, including spherical.

The CinCraft Scenario 2.1 update also allows for measurements to be manually entered for the CamBar to main camera offset, improving efficiency and speed. There is no longer a need to use the ‘Offset Assistant’ automation, eliminating the need for a chart and the temporary use of a wide lens. Plus, frequently used offsets can be stored and later applied between known camera setups.

Finally, clip names on ARRI and Sony cameras are automatically detected and stored with tracking data by CinCraft Scenario. This makes it easier and smoother when matching the proper take in Export. If the camera doesn’t provide a clip name, it can be manually entered during filming.

CinCraft Export was updated to version 2.0, featuring Undistortion ST Maps to undistort camera plates, so there’s no need to film camera grids. Export Point Cloud provides camera position data to VFX artists, who can use the information in post-production to visualize the space around the camera, simplifying alignment. Point cloud will be available in PTS for Unreal Engine and FBX for Nuke.

CinCraft Scenario 2.1 builds upon the 2.0 update, which included adding more lens and camera support (including Sony Burano and RED KOMODO-X), import of Ncam Reality Lens Calibrations, a free Lens Template and Lens Template Finetuner, CinCraft Export, and more.

Price and availability

The ZEISS CinCraft Scenario 2.1 update is available now, and if you use the software for camera tracking in virtual production or other environments, it is worth updating. The software and hardware camera tracking system is configurable, and bundles are available. Here is how the pricing of the bundles breaks down:

• ZEISS CinCraft Scenario Base Bundle: $13,000.
• Advanced Bundle: $16,000.
• Advanced Broadcast Bundle: $43,600.

You can learn more about CinCraft Scenario on the ZEISS website.

What are your thoughts on the new update for CinCraft Scenario? Have you been using it or another tracking system? Let us know in the comments below!