book

Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z

Name: Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z
ISBN: 9781787123281

by Joanna Lee, John P. Doran, Nitish Misra

August 2016

Beginner to intermediate

837 pages

17h 27m

English

Packt Publishing

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Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z
Table of Contents
Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z
Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z
Credits
Preface
What this learning path covers
What you need for this learning path
Who this learning path is for
Reader feedback
Customer support
Downloading the example codeErrataPiracyQuestions

1. Module 1
1. An Overview of Unreal Engine
What goes into a game?
What is a game engine?
The history of Unreal Engine
Game development
ArtistsCinematic creatorsSound designersGame designersProgrammers
The components of Unreal Engine 4
The sound engineThe physics engineThe graphics engineInput and the Gameplay frameworkLight and shadowPost-process effectsArtificial intelligenceOnline and multiplatform capabilities
Unreal Engine and its powerful editors
Unreal EditorMaterial EditorThe Cascade particle systemThe Persona skeletal mesh animationLandscape – building large outdoor worlds and foliageSound Cue EditorMatinee EditorThe Blueprint visual scripting system
Unreal programming
Unreal objects
A beginner's guide to the Unreal Editor
The start menuProject BrowserContent BrowserToolbarViewportScene OutlinerModes
Summary
2. Creating Your First Level
Exploring preconfigured levels
Creating a new project
Navigating the viewport
ViewsControl keys
Creating a level from a new blank map
Creating the ground using the BSP Box brush
Useful tip – selecting an object easilyUseful tip – changing View Mode to aid visuals
Adding light to a level
Useful tip – positioning objects in a level
Adding the sky to a level
Adding Player Start
Useful tip – rotating objects in a level
Viewing a level that's been created
Saving a level
Configuring a map as a start level
Adding material to the ground
Adding a wall
Duplicating a wall
Creating an opening for a door
Adding materials to the walls
Sealing a room
Adding props or a static mesh to the room
Adding Lightmass Importance Volume
Applying finishing touches to a room
Useful tip – using the drag snap grid
Summary
3. Game Objects – More and Move
BSP BrushBackgroundBrush typeBrush solidity
Static Mesh
BSP Brush versus Static Mesh
Making Static Mesh movable
Materials
Creating a Material in UnrealMaterials versus TexturesTexture/UV mappingHow to create and use a Texture MapMultitexturingA special form of texture maps – Normal Maps
Level of detail
Collisions
Collision configuration propertiesSimulation Generates Hit EventsGenerate Overlap EventsCollision PresetsCollision EnabledObject TypeCollision ResponsesTrace ResponsesObject ResponsesCollision hullsInteractions
Static Mesh creation pipeline
Introducing volumes
Blocking VolumeCamera Blocking VolumeTrigger VolumeNav Mesh Bounds VolumePhysics VolumePain Causing VolumeKill Z VolumeLevel Streaming VolumeCull Distance VolumeAudio VolumePostProcess VolumeLightmass Importance Volume
Introducing Blueprint
Level Blueprint
Using the Trigger Volume to turn on/off light
Using Trigger Volume to toggle light on/off (optional)
Summary
4. Material and Light
Materials
The Material Editor
The rendering systemPhysical Based Shading ModelHigh Level Shading LanguageGetting startedCreating a simple custom materialCreating custom material using simple texturesUsing custom materials to transform the level
Rendering pipeline
Shaders
APIs – DirectX and OpenGL
DirectXDirectX12Pipeline state representationWork submissionResource access
Lights
Configuring a Point Light with more settingsAttenuation RadiusIntensityUse Inverse Squared FalloffColorAdding and configuring a Spot LightInner cone and outer cone angleUsing the IES ProfileDownloading IES Light ProfilesImporting IES Profiles into the Unreal Engine EditorUsing IES ProfilesAdding and configuring a Directional LightExample – adding and configuring a Sky lightStatic, stationary, or movable lightsCommon light/shadow definitionsStatic LightStationary LightMovable LightExercise – extending your game level (optional)Useful tipsGuidelinesArea expansionPart 1 – lengthening the current walkwayPart 2 – creating a big room (living and kitchen area)Part 3 – creating a small room along the walkwayPart 4 – Creating a den area in the big roomCreating windows and doorsPart 1 – creating large glass windows for the dining areaPart 2 – creating an open window for the window seatPart 3 – creating windows for the roomPart 4 – creating the main door areaCreating basic furniturePart 1 – creating a dining table and placing chairsPart 2 – decorating the sitting areaPart 3 – creating the window seat areaPart 4 – creating the Japanese seating areaPart 5 – creating the kitchen cabinet area
Summary
5. Animation and AI
What is animation?
Understanding how to animate a 3D model
Preparing before animationHow is animation created?
What Unreal Engine 4 offers for animation in games
Importing animation from Maya/3ds MaxTutorial – importing the animation pack from MarketplaceWhat can you do with Persona?Tutorial – assigning existing animation to a PawnWhy do we need to blend animations?Tutorial – creating a Blend AnimationTutorial – setting up the Animation Blueprint to use a Blend AnimationAnimGraphEventGraph
Artificial intelligence
Understanding a Behavior TreeExercise – designing the logic of a Behavior TreeExample – creating a simple Behavior TreeHow to implement a Behavior Tree in Unreal Engine 4Navigation MeshTutorial – creating a Navigation MeshTutorial – setting up AI logicCreating the Blueprint AIControllerCreating the Blueprint characterAdding and configuring Mesh to a Character BlueprintLinking AIController to the Character BlueprintAdding basic animationConfiguring AIControllerNodes to add in EventGraphAdjusting movement speedCreating the BlackBoardDataAdding a variable into BlackBoardDataCreating a Behavior TreeCreating a simple BT using a Wait taskUsing the Behavior TreeCreating a custom task for the Behavior TreeUsing the PickTargetLocation custom task in BTReplacing the Wait task with Move ToImplementing AI in games
Summary
6. A Particle System and Sound
What is a particle system?
Exploring an existing particle system
The main components of a particle system
Modules
The design principles of a particle system
ResearchThe iterative creative process
Example – creating a fireplace particle system
Crafting P_FireplaceObserving the solo emitters of the systemDeleting non-essential emittersFocusing on editing the Flame emitterLooking at the complete particle system
Sound and music
How do we produce sound and music for games?
Audio quality
How are sounds recorded?
The Unreal audio system
Getting audio into Unreal
The audio formatThe sampling rateBit depthSupported sound channels
Unreal sound formats and terminologies
The Sound Cue Editor
How to open the Sound Cue Editor
Exercise – importing a sound into the Unreal Editor
Exercise – adding custom sounds to a level
Configuring the Sound Cue Editor
Summary
7. Terrain and Cinematics
Introducing terrain manipulationExercise – creating hills using the Landscape toolLandscape creation optionsMultiple landscapesUsing custom materialImporting height maps and layersScaleThe number of componentsSection Size
Introducing cinematics
Why do we need cut scenes?
Cinematic techniques
Adjusted camera functionsZoomField of viewDepth of fieldCamera movementTiltPanDolly/track/truckPedestalCapturing a sceneLightingFramingSome framing rulesShot typesShot plan
Getting familiar with the Unreal Matinee Editor
Exercise – creating a simple matinee sequence
Summary
2. Module 2
1. Getting Acquainted with the UE4 Interface
Introduction
Installing UE4 and folder structure
How to do it…There's more…
UI overview
Getting readyHow to do it…
Navigating the viewport
How to do it…
The Content Browser overview
Getting readyHow to do it…
Importing your own content
Getting readyHow to do it…
2. Level Design – Building Out Levels or Greyboxing
Introduction
Building a room
Getting readyHow to do it…
Building out a level
Getting readySome keyboard tipsSeeing double – duplicating elementsHow to do it…
Applying materials to geometry brushes
Getting readyHow to do it…
Converting brushes to static meshes or volumes
Getting readyHow to do it…
3. Creating Quality Interior Environments
Introduction
Placing static meshes
Getting readyHow to do it…
Placing a particle system
Getting readyHow to do it…
Using Groups
Getting readyHow to do it…
Meshing an example map
Getting readyHow to do it…
Adding life to static meshes
Getting readyHow to do it…
4. Building the Great Outdoors – Exterior Environments
Introduction
Creating a landscape
Getting readyHow to do it…
Building an exterior level using the Sculpt mode
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating rivers with the Flatten tool
Getting readyHow to do it…
Placing trees and rocks using the Foliage tool
Getting readyHow to do it…
Streaming levels
Getting readyHow to do it…
5. Lights, Camera, Action – Cinematics
Introduction
An introduction to Matinee
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating an opening cutscene
Getting readyHow to do it…
Playing a Matinee via Blueprints
Getting readyHow to do it…
Preventing a player from moving via cinematic mode
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
6. Lighting and Shadows
Introduction
Lighting overview – learning the types of lights
Getting readyHow to do it…
Adding moveable lights – flashlight, part 1
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating a Day/Night cycle
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
7. Art Pipeline – Working with Materials
Introduction
Creating a custom material
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating a mirror material
Getting readyHow to do it…
Using Textures and normal maps with Materials
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating glowing materials with static emissive lighting
Getting readyHow to do it…
Seeing through walls
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
8. Blueprint Scripting – Level Effects
Introduction
Building a flickering light
Getting readyHow to do it…
Converting from Level to Class Blueprints
Getting readyHow to do it…
Using Trigger Volumes – opening a door using Matinee
Getting readyHow to do it…
Adding to an existing Blueprint – flashlight, part 2
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating a Health/Damage system, part 1 – taking damage
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
9. C++ Programming – Gameplay
IntroductionWhen to use C++/Blueprints
Setting up your development environment
Getting readyHow to do it…
Displaying text during runtime
Getting readyHow to do it…
Networking 101 – creating collectables with networking
Getting readyHow to do it…
Saving or loading games and keyboard input with C++
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating custom blueprint nodes
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
10. User Interface
Introduction
Creating a Health/Damage system, part 2 – creating a healthbar
Getting readyHow to do it…
Dynamic enemy healthbars
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating a main menu
How to do it…
Animating a menu
Getting readyHow to do it…See also
11. Publishing and Deployment
Introduction
Packaging your project
Getting readyHow to do it…
Creating an installer for Windows
Getting readyHow to do it…
3. Module 3
1. Getting Started with Unreal 4
What to expect
System requirements
Downloading and installing UE4
The Windows directory structureWindows DirectXRedistLauncher4.X folders
The Engine Launcher
NewsLearnMarketplaceLibraryUE4 Links
Summary
2. Launching Unreal Engine 4
Meet the Editor
The Unreal Project Browser
The user interface
The tab bar and the menu barThe toolbarViewportModesWorld OutlinerContent BrowserDetails
Hotkeys and controls
Summary
3. Building the Game – First Steps
ProjectsCreating a new projectOpening an existing projectProject directory structure
Bloques
ConceptControlsCreating the project for the game
BSP brushes
Default BSP brush shapesEditing BSP brushes
Blocking out the rooms with BSP brushes
The first roomThe second roomThe third roomThe fourth room
Content Browser
Migrating and importing assetsImporting assetsMigrating assets
Placing actors
Materials
The Material EditorThe tab and menu barThe toolbarThe Palette panelThe Stats panelThe Details panelThe Viewport panelThe Graph panelApplying materialsCreating the materialsPedestalsDoorsKey CubesDecorative assets
Lighting
MobilityLighting up the environment
Summary
4. Using Actors, Classes, and Volumes
Basic classesAdding basic class actors to the gamePlacing the Player Start actorAdding triggersRoom 1Room 2Room 3Room 4
Visual Effects
Adding Visual Effect actors to the game – Post Process Volume
Volumes
Adding Volumes to the gameLightmass Importance VolumeNav Mesh Bounds VolumeRoom 3Room 4
All Classes
Adding actors from All ClassesCameraMatinee actorsTarget PointRoom 3Room 4
Summary
5. Scripting with Blueprints
How Blueprint works
The Level Blueprint user interface
The tab and menu barsThe toolbarThe Details panelThe Compiler Results panelMy Blueprint panelThe Event Graph
Using Level Blueprint in the game
Key cube pickup and placement
The Blueprint class
Creating a Blueprint classViewportThe Construction ScriptThe Event Graph
Scripting basic AI
Summary
6. Using Unreal Matinee
What is Unreal Matinee?Adding Matinee actors
The Unreal Matinee user interface
The tab and menu barThe toolbarThe Curve EditorThe Tracks panelThe Details panel
Animating the door
Room 1Room 2A bridge for the AI character
Summary
7. Finishing, Packaging, and Publishing the Game
Adding the main menu using Unreal Motion Graphics
UMG Editor
The tab and menu barThe toolbarThe Graph EditorThe Details panelThe Palette panelThe Hierarchy panelThe Animations panel
Creating the main menu
Installing the Android SDK
Setting up the Android device
Packaging the project
The Maps & Modes settingsThe Packaging settingsThe Android app settingsBuilding a package
Developer Console
ALL APPLICATIONSAPKStore ListingContent RatingPricing & DistributionIn-app ProductsServices & APIsGAME SERVICESGame detailsLinked appsEventsAchievementsLeaderboardsTestingPublishingREPORTSSETTINGSALERTS
Publishing your game
Activating Google servicesPreparing the project for shippingUploading the game on the Play Store
Monetization methods
Mobile performance and optimization
Summary
A. What Next?
Learn
AnswerHub
Forums
Summary
A. Bibliography
Index

Content preview from Unreal Engine: Game Development from A to Z

Adding life to static meshes

Though it is nice having a level with a lot of static meshes (this is by default), they don't move at all (hence, they are called static). Static meshes are used for efficiency's sake, but there comes a time where you want the player to be able to interact with those objects, such as moving crates or shooting at things.

Getting ready

This recipe assumes that you have the example project and the level I provided (MeshingAnExampleMap) opened.

How to do it…

With that in mind, let's learn how we can breathe some life into our static meshes:

Select a static mesh inside your level, such as the SM_Chair object we have placed in the fireplace.
Once selected, go to the Details tab and under Physics, check Simulate Physics.
Once finished, ...

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