By combining a modular, motion-capped car, a 360-degree camera and some real-time work from Unreal Engine 4, Chevrolet created an impressive short film featuring two augmented reality cars racing against each other. The behind the scenes video above shows off
On the surface, the short film — called The Human Race — doesn't seem super special, until you learn that the cars aren't rendered in post production, they are being rendered in real-time with Unreal's engine. Here is an example that Unreal, Chevrolet and car-designer The Mill showed off at GDC today using the game engine and the Mill Blackbird:
To make the rendered car seem like it's really in the environment it's being filmed in, the Mill Blackbird has a 360-camera on top of it that captures the area around it and uses those images to create realistic reflections on the car's body. And with the touch a finger, you can change the color of the rendered car or even alter its body in real time.
Not only does this system help marketing teams for car companies create easily customizable commercials, it shows off how powerful Unreal Engine 4 is and how much it's capable of in the world of video games.