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Sams Teach Yourself Unreal® Engine 4 Game Development in 24 Hours

Name: Sams Teach Yourself Unreal® Engine 4 Game Development in 24 Hours
ISBN: 9780134389110

by Aram Cookson, Ryan DowlingSoka, Clinton Crumpler

June 2016

Beginner

400 pages

11h 32m

English

Sams

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About This E-Book
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Preface
Who Should Read This BookHow This Book Is Organized and What It Covers
About the Authors
Dedication
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!

Reader Services
Hour 1. Introducing Unreal Engine 4
Installing UnrealDownloading and Installing the LauncherDownloading and Installing Unreal EngineCreating Your First ProjectThe Project BrowserLearning the InterfaceMenu BarModes PanelWorld Outliner PanelDetails PanelContent Browser PanelViewport PanelView Modes and VisualizersShow FlagsNavigating a Scene in the Perspective ViewportLevel Editor ToolbarPlaying a LevelSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 2. Understanding the Gameplay Framework
Available ResourcesPlay in Editor (PIE)Project Folder StructureAsset References and the Reference ViewerSaved FolderGameplay FrameworkGameMode ClassController ClassesPawn and Character ClassesHUD ClassSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 3. Coordinates, Transforms, Units, and Organization
Understanding Cartesian CoordinatesWorking with TransformsTransformation ToolsInteractive and Manual TransformsWorld and Local TransformsAssessing Units and MeasurementsGrid UnitsSnapping to the GridOrganizing a SceneWorld OutlinerFoldersGroupingLayersAttachingSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 4. Working with Static Mesh Actors
Static Mesh AssetsStatic Mesh EditorOpening the Static Mesh Editor WindowImporting Static MeshesViewing UV LayoutsAssigning a Material to a Static Mesh AssetCollision HullsViewing Collision HullsEditing Collision HullsConvex DecompositionPer-Poly CollisionStatic Mesh ActorsPlacing Static Mesh Actors into a LevelMobility SettingsChanging the Mesh Reference for a Static Mesh ActorReplacing the Material on a Static Mesh ActorEditing Collision Responses on a Static Mesh ActorSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 5. Applying Lighting and Rendering
Learning Light TerminologyUnderstanding Light TypesAdding Point LightsAdding Spot LightsAdding Sky LightsAdding Directional LightsUsing Light PropertiesBuilding LightingSwarm AgentMobilitySummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 6. Using Materials
Understanding MaterialsPhysically Based Rendering (PBR)Material Input TypesBase Color (Albedo)MetalnessRoughnessNormalCreating TexturesTexture SizesPowers of 2Texture File TypesImporting TexturesMaking a MaterialInputs and OutputsValue NodesInstancesSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 7. Using Audio System Elements
Introducing Audio BasicsAudio ComponentsImporting Audio FilesUsing Sound ActorsCreating Sound CuesControlling Sounds with Audio VolumesSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 8. Creating Landscapes and Foliage
Working with LandscapesLandscape ToolsCreating LandscapesLandscape ManagementSculpting Shapes and VolumesTool MenuBrush MenuFalloff MenuPaintingLandscape MaterialsUsing FoliagePlacing FoliageSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 9. World Building
Building WorldsEnvironmental NarrativeAnatomy of a LevelWorld Building ProcessEstablishing ScaleEstablishing ScopeShelling and BlockingPlacing Props and AssetsLighting and Audio PassPlaytesting and RefiningSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 10. Crafting Effects with Particle Systems
Understanding Particles and Data TypesWorking with CascadeUsing Emitters and ModulesUsing the Curve EditorUsing Common ModulesRequired ModuleSpawn ModuleLifetime ModuleInitial Size and Size By Life ModulesInitial Color, Scale Color/Life, and Color Over Life ModulesInitial Velocity, Inherit Parent Velocity, and Const Acceleration ModulesInitial Location and Sphere ModulesInitial Rotation and Rotation Rate ModulesSetting Up Materials for ParticlesParticle ColorSubUV TexturesTriggering Particle SystemsAuto ActivateActivating Particle Systems Through Level BlueprintsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 11. Using Skeletal Mesh Actors
Defining Skeletal MeshesImporting Skeletal MeshesLearning PersonaSkeleton ModeMesh ModeAnimation ModeGraph ModeUsing Skeletal Mesh ActorsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 12. Matinee and Cinematics
Matinee ActorsMatinee Actor PropertiesMatinee EditorTracks PanelSetting Sequence LengthPlay HeadGroupsTracksCurve EditorInterpolation ModesWorking with Other TracksSound TrackWorking with Cameras in MatineeCamera Groups and ActorsDirector GroupWorking with Matinee Data AssetsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 13. Learning to Work with Physics
Using Physics in UE4Common Physics TermsAssigning the Physics Game Mode to a LevelProject and World Physics SettingsSimulating PhysicsUsing Physical MaterialsCreating a Physical Material AssetAssigning a Physical Material to a Static Mesh ActorAssigning a Physical Material to a MaterialWorking with ConstraintsAttaching Physics ActorsPhysics Constraint ActorsUsing Force ActorsPhysics Thruster ActorsRadial Force ActorsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 14. Introducing Blueprint Visual Scripting System
Visual Scripting BasicsUnderstanding the Blueprint EditorBlueprint Editor InterfaceBlueprint Editor ToolbarMy Blueprint PanelEvent GraphBlueprint Context MenuNodes, Wires, Execs, and PinsFundamental Concepts in ScriptingEventsFunctionsVariablesOperators and ConditionalsScript Organization and CommentingSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 15. Working with Level Blueprints
Actor Collision SettingsAssigning Actors to EventsAssigning Actors to Reference VariablesActor ComponentsGetting and Setting Actor PropertiesFunction TargetsActivate PropertyPlay Sound at Location FunctionUsing Physics Actors to Activate EventsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 16. Working with Blueprint Classes
Using Blueprint ClassesAdding a Blueprint ClassThe Blueprint Editor InterfaceWorking with the ComponentsAdding ComponentsViewport PanelBlueprint Scripting with ComponentsWorking with the TimelineTimeline Tracks and CurvesScripting a Pulsating LightDeriving a Blueprint from an Existing ClassSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 17. Using Editable Variables and the Construction Script
Setting UpMaking Editable VariablesUsing the Construction ScriptAdding Static Mesh ComponentsAdding Static Mesh ComponentsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 18. Making Key Input Events and Spawning Actors
Why Spawning Is ImportantCreating a Blueprint Class to SpawnUsing the Construction ScriptUsing the Expose on Spawn Variable PropertySetting Up the Spawner BlueprintSpawning an Actor from a ClassSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 19. Making an Action Encounter
Project Game ModesHeads-Up Displays (HUDs)Game Timer and Respawn SystemKnowing Characters’ AbilitiesUsing Blueprint ClassesBP_Common FolderBP_Turrets FolderBP_Respawn FolderBP_Pickup FolderBP_Levers FolderActor and Component TagsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 20. Creating an Arcade Shooter: Input Systems and Pawns
Identifying Requirements with a Design SummaryIdentifying RequirementsCreating a Game ProjectCreating a Custom Game ModeCreating a Custom Pawn and Player ControllerInheriting from the Default PawnControlling a Pawn’s MovementDisabling the Default MovementSetting Up Input Action and Axis MappingsUsing Input Events to Move a PawnSetting Up a Fixed CameraSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 21. Creating an Arcade Shooter: Obstacles and Pickups
Creating an Obstacle Base ClassMaking Your Obstacle MoveDamaging the PawnUsing the Cast To NodeRestarting the Game on DeathCreating a Health PickupCreating an Actor SpawnerCleaning Up Old ObstaclesSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 22. Working with UMG
Creating a Widget BlueprintNavigating the UMG InterfaceDesigner ModeGraph ModeSetting the ResolutionAnchor Points and DPI ScalingCreating a Start MenuImporting AssetsPlacing Widgets on the CanvasSample Menu SystemSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 23. Making an Executable
Cooking ContentPackaging a Project for WindowsResources for Android and iOS PackagingAccessing Advanced Packaging SettingsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Hour 24. Working with Mobile
Developing for Mobile DevicesPreviewing for MobileOptimizing for MobileSetting Editor TargetsUsing TouchVirtual JoysticksTouch EventsUsing a Device’s Motion DataSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercise
Index
Code Snippets

Content preview from Sams Teach Yourself Unreal® Engine 4 Game Development in 24 Hours

Index

Symbols

coordinate systems, 37–38

transformation tools, 39

A

abilities, characters, 342–344

action encounters, 341

Actor/Component tags, 350–351

Blueprint classes, 344–345, 346

BP_Common folders, 345–346

BP_Levers folder, 349–350

BP_Pickup folder, 349

BP_Respawn folder, 348

BP_Turrets folder, 341–348

character abilities, 342–344

HUDs (heads-up displays), 342

project Game modes, 341

respawn systems, 342

timers, 342

actions, configuring input, 367–369

ActivateStomper_BP, 350

activating. See also triggering

Actors

events, 283

properties, 273–281

particles, 176–177

Actors

Ambient Sound Actor, 110, 112–113

attaching, 49–50

BSP (binary space partitioning), 144

Camera group, 216–218

classes, spawning, 332–335

collisions, configuring, 271–

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Sams Teach Yourself Unreal® Engine 4 Game Development in 24 Hours

by Aram Cookson, Ryan DowlingSoka, Clinton Crumpler