Lens & Optics
CinematographyConfigure optical properties: focal length, sensor size, aperture, depth of field, focus distance, and physical camera exposure.
/skill lens-optics What This Skill Does
Lens & Optics guides you through configuring the optical properties of Unreal Engine's cinematic cameras to achieve realistic, film-quality imagery. This skill covers the full range of physical camera parameters: from focal length and sensor size selection to aperture-driven depth of field and physical exposure settings. Whether you are matching a real-world camera's look or crafting a stylized shallow-focus aesthetic, this skill helps you understand how each optical setting translates to on-screen results.
Covers
- Focal length selection and its visual effects on perspective
- Filmback and sensor size presets (Super 16mm, Super 35mm, Full Frame, and more)
- Aperture (f-stop) and depth of field control
- Focus distance: manual, automatic, and tracked modes
- Depth of field tuning and bokeh shape
- Physical camera exposure (ISO, shutter speed, aperture)
- Crop factor and aspect ratio configuration
Does Not Cover
- Camera position and placement → Camera Placement
- Post-process bloom and vignette → Post-Process Fundamentals
- Animated lens changes over time → Sequencer Basics
- Camera shake and procedural motion → Camera Motion
How to Use
Invoke this skill in Claude Code:
/skill lens-opticsThis skill is also auto-detected when your prompt mentions lens, focus, aperture, focal length, or depth-of-field intent. AgentUX will automatically activate Lens & Optics when it recognizes relevant optical configuration context in your request.
Key Unreal Engine Concepts
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
UCineCameraComponent | The core camera component that holds filmback, lens, and focus settings, providing physically accurate optical simulation. |
FCameraFocusSettings | A struct controlling focus mode (manual, tracking, disabled), focus distance, and smooth focus interpolation speed. |
FCameraLensSettings | A struct defining lens parameters including min/max focal length, min/max f-stop, and diaphragm blade count for bokeh shape. |
FPostProcessSettings (Exposure) | The exposure-related subset of post-process settings that controls auto-exposure, manual exposure compensation, ISO, and shutter speed. |
Filmback presets | Built-in sensor size presets (Super 16mm, Super 35mm, Full Frame, IMAX, and more) that determine field of view and crop factor. |
Related Skills
camera-placement
Place cameras within scenes for cinematic and gameplay purposes
post-process-fundamentals
Post-process pipeline effects: color grading, bloom, and tone mapping
sequencer-basics
Use Sequencer for cinematics: keyframing, camera cuts, and timelines
What You'll Learn
- How to configure realistic lens behavior that matches real-world cameras
- Best practices for depth of field and cinematic bokeh
- How to use physical camera exposure (ISO, shutter speed, aperture) effectively
- When to choose different sensor sizes and focal lengths for your shots
- How to set up focus tracking for dynamic scenes with moving subjects