Filming Helper
Capturing breathtaking cinematic shots in ARK: Survival Ascended often comes with an unexpected obstacle: your own avatar. Whether you are trying to record a T-Rex ambush or a serene sunrise over the beach, your character's presence can ruin the immersion. The Filming Helper add-on solves this problem elegantly by introducing a craftable, admin-only potion that grants true invisibility, letting you move freely and capture the action without being seen.
This mod is not just about hiding yourself. It also offers a unique tool for dinosaur-focused cinematography. By using the potion on a creature, you can force it to become mountable, even if it normally isn't. This allows you to film from the perspective of a dinosaur, with an invisible rider attached, opening up incredible first-person and third-person angles that were previously impossible to achieve without complex workarounds.
What Does the Invisibility Potion Do?
The core item added by this mod is a consumable potion. When consumed by an admin, it applies a full invisibility effect. This is not the standard Ghillie Suit camouflage; it is a complete removal of your visual model from the game world. Enemies, wild creatures, and even your own tribe members will not see you. This is perfect for setting up shots, walking into the middle of a battle, or simply observing the natural behaviors of creatures without influencing them.
For those looking to film as a dinosaur, the process is straightforward. You approach a wild or tamed dino and use the potion on it. This action applies a special flag that makes the creature mountable. Once mounted, you become the invisible rider. The dinosaur moves and acts as it normally would, but you have full camera control from its back. This feature is particularly useful for recording realistic hunting sequences or migration patterns.
Using the Spawn Code
To get started, you will need to spawn the potion into your inventory. Since this is an admin-only item, you must have admin permissions enabled on your server or in your single-player session. The spawn command is provided in the mod description, and it is designed to be used with the in-game console. Simply open the console (usually the Tab key or the ` key) and paste the following command:
admincheat giveitem "/Script/Engine.Blueprint'/FilmingHelper/InvisibilityPotion/PrimalItemConsumable_FilmingHelper_InvisibilityPotion.PrimalItemConsumable_FilmingHelper_InvisibilityPotion'" 1 0 0
This command will place one potion in your inventory. You can change the number "1" to any other number to spawn multiple potions at once. Remember, the potion is purely for administrative and creative use; it does not provide any combat advantage, as you cannot attack or interact with the world while invisible without breaking the effect.
Installation and Mod Compatibility
Installing this mod is simple. You can find it on the official ARK: Survival Ascended mod repository. To download Filming Helper, navigate to the mod page and click the subscribe button. Once subscribed, the mod will automatically download to your client. For dedicated servers, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart the server to load the content.
For those who want a streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher provides a one-click install for Filming Helper for ARK: Survival Ascended, ensuring that the mod is correctly placed and configured without manual file management. The launcher also checks for version compatibility, so you do not have to worry about breaking your game after a major update.
How to Install on a Server
If you are running a dedicated server, the process is slightly different. You will need to access your server files and locate the GameUserSettings.ini file. In the [ModInstaller] section, add the mod's ID to the ModIds list. After saving the file, restart the server. The server will download the mod and load it automatically. This mod is compatible with most other mods, as it does not alter core game files or conflict with common frameworks like ARK Additions or S+.
It is important to note that this mod is designed specifically for the current version of ARK: Survival Ascended. The developers actively update the mod to ensure it works with the latest game patches. When a new game update is released, the mod might require a brief period to be updated. The foxygame.net launcher handles auto-updates for Filming Helper, so you can always be sure you are running the latest stable version without manually checking for patches.
Practical Filming Tips
Once you have the potion, you can start experimenting with different shots. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cinematic Dino Walks: Use the potion on a wild Bronto or a pack of Raptors to film them from a low angle, giving the impression that the viewer is walking alongside the pack.
- Battle Sequences: Drink the potion yourself and stand in the middle of a large tribe war. You can rotate the camera 360 degrees to capture the chaos from a central, objective viewpoint.
- Base Tours: Fly or walk through your massive base without being seen. This allows you to showcase intricate interior designs without your character blocking the view.
- Creature Close-Ups: Get right next to a Giganotosaurus's face without it aggroing. This is perfect for capturing detailed textures and animations for promotional videos.
The potion's effect lasts for a set duration, so you will need to manage your time carefully. You can consume multiple potions to refresh the timer. The effect does not stack, but it does overwrite the current duration, so be mindful of your remaining time during long filming sessions.
Final Thoughts on Filming Helper
In the world of ARK content creation, the ability to be invisible is a game-changer. Filming Helper is a niche but incredibly powerful tool for any admin or content creator. It removes the limitations of the standard camera modes and gives you full control over the narrative you are trying to tell. Whether you are making a tribe recruitment video, a tutorial, or just want to document your server's history, this mod provides the necessary utility to do it professionally.
Remember that this is an admin-only tool, so it is not intended for regular gameplay. It is a utility that respects the balance of the game while offering a robust feature set for those who manage servers and create content. If you are serious about filming in ARK: Survival Ascended, adding this mod to your loadout is a wise investment. It is lightweight, does not impact server performance, and integrates seamlessly with the base game's mechanics.