New Animation Tools in Unreal Engine 5.7 using Samples by Agora Studio | Full Tutorial
Walkthrough of the new animation tools in UE 5.7 using sample projects from Agora Studio: the A-COM Animatic Sample and the A-COM Animation Sample
0:34
Key Focus: Engine-First Customisation & Keyframe Precision
3:00
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure a complex cinematic using Sequencer nesting.
2. Integrate 2D drawing in 3D space for in-context previz using Odyssey.
3. Use new tools (Motion Trails, Tween Tools) to refine keyframe timing and spacing.
4. Leverage Sculpt Morph to create deformation blend shapes directly in Unreal.
5. Set up dynamic secondary motion using Control Rig Physics.
6. Apply production best practices like Reverse Baking for data reusability.
03:45 Segment 1: Project Foundation and Setup
3:47 Foundation for Engine-First Workflow
Key Steps:
Open A-COM Animation Sample.
Establish Main Edit & Shot Sequence hierarchy.
Enable Skeletal Mesh Morph Target Editing Tools (Plugin).
Enable Physics Control Plugin.
4:21 Sequencer: Editing & Audio Sync
Key Steps:
Use Sequencer Navigation Tool for high-level structure.
Perform real-time audio scrubbing for dialogue sync.
Use mute and solo track options for local changes.
Use experimental scale relativity feature for timing adjustments.
19:52 Segment 2: Custom In-Context Previsualization
19:56 Sketching the Pivot Shot in 3D
Key Steps:
Install Odyssey Plugin (required).
Use 2D drawing in 3D space to sketch custom poses.
Manage timing using the Dedicated Odyssey Sequencer.
Iterate on composition with real geometry.
27:27 Segment 3: Movement Refinement
27:32 Core Tools for Animation Precision
Key Steps:
Motion Trails: Visualising Arcs
Tween Tools: Interpolation Control
Curve Editor: Lattice and Snapping
28:16 Visualizing and Editing Arcs
Key Steps:
Activate Motion Trails via the new viewport icon.
Select display style (dashed, time, or heat map).
Adjust keys directly in the viewport for precise arc changes.
28:40 Advanced Interpolation and Timing
Key Steps: (New Hotkeys)
U + LMB: Indirect manipulation.
Shift + U: Toggle sliders for fine-tuning.
Control + U: Toggle overshoot mode for snappy motion.
42:06 Segment 4: Creating New Character Customisations
42:12 Engine-First Deformations & Dynamics
Key Features:
Sculpt Morph: Custom Blend Shapes
Control Rig Physics: Procedural Dynamics
Reverse Baking: Data Reusability
42:50 Sculpting New Deformation
Key Steps:
Enable Morph Editing Tools Plugin (Done in Setup).
Use built-in modeling tools to sculpt shapes during runtime.
Use Control Rig Physics to procedurally create secondary motion setups.
Reverse Bake the customized animation data.
48:10 Segment 5: Recap and Conclusion
48:14 Quick Recap: The Engine-First Advantage
Top Takeaways:
Reduced DCC Tripping: New tools (Sculpt Morph, Tween Tools) handle work previously requiring external DCCs.
Performance Control: Motion Trails and Tween Tools provide unprecedented keyframe precision in Sequencer.
Integrated Pre-Production: Odyssey proves that storyboarding and previs can happen collaboratively inside the engine.
48:58 Resources:
A First Look at the New Animation Features in Unreal Engine 5.6 | by Unreal Engine
• A First Look at the New Animation Features...
A-COM Animatic Sample: Project Walkthrough | by Unreal Engine
• A-COM Animatic Sample: Project Walkthrough
A-COM Animation Sample Now Available | by Unreal Engine
• A-COM Animation Sample Now Available | Unr...
A-COM Animation Sample: Project Walkthrough | by Unreal Engine
• A-COM Animation Sample: Project Walkthrough
Exploring the A-COM Sample Projects | Inside Unreal
https://www.youtube.com/live/nVuDBmDj...
Animation Workflows in Unreal Engine 5.6 | A-COM Animation Sample | 4 lessons by Sir (Sir Wade) Neistadt
https://dev.epicgames.com/community/l...
BETA | Animatic Render (A-COM Animatic Sample) | by Agora.studio
• BETA | Animatic Render (A-COM Animatic Sam...
BETA | Setting Up Shots for Animation (A-COM Animation Sample) | by Agora.studio
• BETA | Setting Up Shots for Animation (A-C...
BETA | Control Rig in Action (A-COM Animation Sample) | by Agora.studio
• BETA | Control Rig in Action (A-COM Animat...
Odyssey Plugin by PraxinosCoop
https://praxinos.coop/Documentation/O...
Asset Packs:
A-COM Animatic Sample
https://www.fab.com/tr/listings/a5738...
A-COM Animation Sample
https://www.fab.com/tr/listings/7a019...
Odyssey Plugin byPraxinosCoop
https://www.fab.com/listings/c2a71aa9...
Thank you!
Oytun Kal, Unreal Authorized Instructor
November 2025