Learning and Research – Unreal Engine 4 : Post 3 – Current progress and plan

Current Progress

Over the last day, I have finally been able to get morph targets to work within Unreal Engine 4 by creating it within 3DS Max. I figured out the problem being was that I had to set the FBX file to 2014 within the setting before the export as the default 2011 FBX type, for some reason does not support morph targets. The result is having the morph within the game editor, and being able to change the shape of the object; but I still have not worked out how to get the morph targets to work within a running game.

I have also started to learn BluePrints, I have decided to try and find tutorials that will aid me when creating my Final Major Project game. Within the tutorial that I found, it taught me how to make a object move from one point to another  using the BluePrints system. This will help me when creating my game as I will want to have moving platforms, doors, gates and etc. throughout my game.

What I need to work on and learn

The next tutorial that I want to find is how to make an object move around using the direction keys on the keyboard, as I feel like I learn better from making something or doing something from stratch.  After, I will have to try and learn how to make the object jump. At this point, these are the most important goals as without them, I will not be able to make this game. Once I have learned how to do these task, I will then create the first early version of the level, as these will be the only mechanics that I will need at this point.

Learning and Research – Unreal Engine 4 : Post 1

First goal

I am starting to learn and gather research into the Unreal Engine 4. I am planning to learn and understand how the Blueprints system works, so that I am able to create the first early version of my games mechanics. What I need to learn is how to make an object move about in two axis within a 3D space, which will include moving left and right and jumping. I also want to make all of the physical movements to be what I am after within the final version of the game. At this point, I am not planning on making a level to be completed, just working movement mechanics for the character.

I am also going to test out how the camera could work with the character, and how to make it move smoothly with the character without being a static movement. I will do this as part of learning how to make the basic movements. This will also include basic models which I could create within 3DS Max to create foreground and background objects to fill the space to help test out the camera and camera angles.

Second goal

I would like to start working on basic gameplay mechanics and further the movement mechanics for the character. This will include some game play aspects such as basic level design and basic puzzle solving (this could include moving an physics object to a position so the character is able to jump high enough to reach higher ground). This will be the first steps to create the first level of the game, and would be used as a basis of all future levels.

I will do update post of my progress over the next week showcasing what task I have completed and any tast that I am struggling with.

Environment Design – Isometric Environment V2: Thors Crater

I have recreated a scene from the movie Thor in Isometric and low poly.

Below is the final version.

Below are close up renders and other renders of the same scene.

Environment Design – Isometric Environment V1

I have tried having a go at creating an Isometric environment in 3D softly (I use 3DS Max). I got the idea after seeing work created by “Pig Art“.

Here is a link to his YouTube channel – here.

Below is what I created(time: 40 minutes Approx):

I am going to try and do more work like this in the future. Due to liking the style of this 3D art.

Character Designs – Early Sketches: Protagonist and Antagonist

First of all, I will show the designs that I have made for the protagonist, these were the first designs that I have worked on which I done on the 29/05/2015. There is still a lot of development needed due to feeling like that the protagonist has no personality in the design, making the character boring. So I need to further develop the protagonist till their is personality to the look. Below are the images from my sketchbook:

Now I am going to show the designs that I have created for the Antagonist. I feel that the designs for this character are a lot better and has more personality which is what I want. The character will need to be developed more, but at this point, I feel like that it is going in the right direction. Below are the designs of the character, which were created on the 04/06/2015 and 05/06/2015.

With all of these designs, and any future designs which include both character, environment and objects, they all need to be able to be created within 3D, due to the game being 2.5D. So I need to try and show within the designs that they can be created in 3D which I try to show by adding basic shading. In the concept versions, I will try to show shading and highlights.

Creation of modular stairwell – post one

Idea

I am going to be creating a modular based stairwell with textures that can be used within the game engine Unreal Engine 4.
I will be using reference images from the internet to give me design ideas and an understanding of what will be needed to make it a modular based system.
Plan

I will start of with sketches designs of a single level of the stairwell and design how they will link together.

Once I have created the sketch designs of the stairwell, I will take all of the designs that I like and create a final concept using Photoshop.

After I will create the basic shape of the stairwell within 3D Studio Max which will be used as a basis of creating the more detailed version.

Use the low poly basic 3D design to create the final detailed version.

I want to make the stairwell ready to be expanded on, so that I could add apartments at a later date, so I will make door openings.

Unwrapping and creating a base texture for the model which can be used to create the final version.

The reason for doing this project

I want to start learning the basics of creating modular models for Unreal Engine 4, so that I can create modular environments with ease with future projects. Also so I can learn some of the basic blueprints within the engine.

Other reasons are to improve my other skillsets such as 3D modeling and texturing.