Explore Agora Studio’s new animation sample projects for Unreal Engine
We’re releasing two brand-new animation sample projects for Unreal Engine: the A-COM Animatic Sample and A-COM Animation Sample. These projects are available today for UE 5.6, with a UE 5.7 update coming soon.
Created by Agora Studio, they provide an insight into how to storyboard and animate a short in Unreal Engine from scratch.
Created by Agora Studio, they provide an insight into how to storyboard and animate a short in Unreal Engine from scratch.
They were made as part of a five-part short film series that explores a single event from five different character perspectives. The second installment, Beta’s Intro, was built entirely inside Unreal Engine 5 and serves as the foundation for the sample content.
Explore the A-COM sample projects on Fab!
Check out a complete UE 5.6 project showcasing stylized biped and quadruped animations in a cinematic environment, and learn how to storyboard animation in UE with the free Praxinos Odyssey plugin.Courtesy of Agora Studio
The A-COM Animation Sample
The A-COM Animation Sample lifts the lid on a complete animation pipeline: from rigging and keyframe animation to lighting, visual effects, and rendering—all managed directly in UE5.
Every asset, animation, and tool used to create the short is included, enabling budding animators to dissect how a professional pipeline operates end to end.
At the heart of the production lies Sequencer, Unreal Engine’s timeline-based editing system. This tool became Agora Studio’s “master edit,” enabling them to integrate animation, camera work, and environmental art into one cohesive space. Timing changes and layout adjustments happened dynamically—with no need to jump between applications.
For effects, the team combined Niagara particle simulations with 2D FX projected via the Image Plate plugin, a hybrid approach that merged hand-drawn artistry with real-time rendering. This fusion gave directors fine control over visual layering, such as placing effects in front of or behind characters with cinematic precision.
All these elements reinforce a key idea: Unreal Engine can serve as a complete animation environment, capable of handling layout, performance, FX, and editorial work without external tools.
For effects, the team combined Niagara particle simulations with 2D FX projected via the Image Plate plugin, a hybrid approach that merged hand-drawn artistry with real-time rendering. This fusion gave directors fine control over visual layering, such as placing effects in front of or behind characters with cinematic precision.
All these elements reinforce a key idea: Unreal Engine can serve as a complete animation environment, capable of handling layout, performance, FX, and editorial work without external tools.
Courtesy of Agora Studio
The A-COM Animatic Sample
In the A-COM Animatic Sample, you’ll have the chance to explore a timed, animated version of the storyboard for Beta’s Intro that acts as a rough draft for the final animation.
This project is built upon Agora Studio’s use of Praxinos Odyssey: a versatile 2D toolset for Unreal Engine 5.6 and above to make 2D animations (using Flipbook or Odyssey Animation assets), to paint on textures (for example, to stylize characters, props, foliages, decals, or post-process volumes) and to draw beautiful storyboards.
“It’s a complete package with brushes, color palettes, layers—even its own sequencer for managing cameras and 2D animation planes,” says Marco Foglia, co-director on Beta’s Intro.
Odyssey enables artists to sketch, block shots, and animate 2D elements directly inside Unreal Engine, bridging the gap between storyboarding and layout.
Early in production, rough storyboard sequences can be imported as image sequences, then expanded upon using 2D planes in a 3D environment. It’s a hybrid method that allows for dynamic camera work and experimentation within the actual scene space.
“It really opens up a lot of creative possibilities,” Foglia notes. “You’re not limited by static boards—you can explore the space like a filmmaker.”
Odyssey enables artists to sketch, block shots, and animate 2D elements directly inside Unreal Engine, bridging the gap between storyboarding and layout.
Early in production, rough storyboard sequences can be imported as image sequences, then expanded upon using 2D planes in a 3D environment. It’s a hybrid method that allows for dynamic camera work and experimentation within the actual scene space.
“It really opens up a lot of creative possibilities,” Foglia notes. “You’re not limited by static boards—you can explore the space like a filmmaker.”
Courtesy of Agora Studio
Lessons for artists: from beginners to experts
For newcomers, the A-COM project offers a crash course in UE5-based animation production. Beginners can learn asset management, Control Rig fundamentals, and simple keyframing—all within the same environment used by professionals.
For experienced animators, the project reveals deeper insights into pipeline design, Sequencer organization, lighting strategies, and reusable workflows like reverse baking.
“Artists can see how we structured a full production in Unreal,” Foglia explains. “From modular rigging to evolving lighting and FX, it’s a living example of how studios can scale their workflows.”
Courtesy of Agora Studio
Animation learning resources
There are a number of supporting learning resources to help you get started with the A-COM sample projects.
A great place to begin is the overview video created by Agora Studio’s Mark Foglia. This explains what’s in the samples, provides some tips on getting the most of the assets included, and gives context on why certain workflow decisions were made. Check it out below.
Diving in deeper, Unreal Animation Fellowship Mentor Sir Wade Neistadt has created an in-depth four-part tutorial series that guides learners through setting up and refining character animation workflows.
The series covers basic camera and lighting setup, creating new animation shots, importing and editing mocap data, and keyframe animation techniques.
Each session builds hands-on understanding of tools like Control Rig, animation layers, constraints, and motion trails to teach animation and production best practices. Visit the Epic Developer Community to watch part one of the series, Exploring the Animation Sample Production Files.
The series covers basic camera and lighting setup, creating new animation shots, importing and editing mocap data, and keyframe animation techniques.
Each session builds hands-on understanding of tools like Control Rig, animation layers, constraints, and motion trails to teach animation and production best practices. Visit the Epic Developer Community to watch part one of the series, Exploring the Animation Sample Production Files.