Bringing the Unreal to life
During this intensive class, students are introduced to the creative environment pipeline creation process from start to finish. Over the next 10-weeks, this course will go over the fundamental process of creating an environment from concept to bringing an idea to life using industry standard tools and techniques. Students will have a better understanding of how to use their creativity to make something of their own and how to push a piece to a further benchmark. The goal of the class will be to create several high-quality assets that will come together to create one cohesive scene that is well presented.
*Note: Expect to spend 10-20 hours a week. Students will need to have a basic understanding of modeling and texturing techniques as well as some experience using Unreal Engine 4. They should be familiar with the UI of the softwares and how to navigate through them. Some basic knowledge of fundamentals of art such as composition, color, and shape language is encouraged.
*Note: Expect to spend 10-20 hours a week. Students will need to have a basic understanding of modeling and texturing techniques as well as some experience using Unreal Engine 4. They should be familiar with the UI of the softwares and how to navigate through them. Some basic knowledge of fundamentals of art such as composition, color, and shape language is encouraged.
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
Oct 09, 2024 -
Jan 27, 2025
Course Start
Jan 20, 2025
Course Format
Standard
Skills Level
Intermediate
Duration
10 weeks
Q&A
Once a week
Feedback
Individual recordings
Lecture Type
Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 10-20 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
Basic modeling and texturing techniques, and experience using UE4 | Prereq: Intro to Production Modeling, Fundamentals of Substance for Environment Art, Vegetation & Plants for Games
MATERIALS
Unreal Engine, Maya (3DS Max or Blender ok), Zbrush or Mudbox, Substance Designer, & Photoshop
The more you know, the better.
Week #0
Concept & Collecting Ref
Decide upon a concept from the options | Go over useful tips and techniques to finding good reference | Understand the importance of reference and how to use it | Talk about adding your own creative touch to an existing idea | Creating reference boards for your project
Week #1
Blocking Out
Create the blockouts and general layout for the scene | Discuss shape language, silhouettes, and composition | Understand how to create a proper blockout that will allow for iteration of the piece without major rework
Week #2
Setting Up UE4 & Organizing Project
Quickly go over some important tips for UE4 and project settings | Talk about folder structure and how to keep files organized in the beginning so when you grow in size it doesn’t get out of hand | Creating your level with the template provided and getting your blockout in there to get a general idea of how its going to look
Week #3
Asset Gym & Planning
Go over general workflows and techniques of making modular sets and how to efficiently build an environment | Planning is important | Figure out the assets and setup a gym for them so we can see what all needs to be created | Asset Gym also helps with scheduling and we can create a gameplan to get it all done in a timely manner
Week #4
Modeling Techniques
Different modeling techniques based off of hardsurface or organic modeling | Figure out what techniques would work best for some of the pieces and start to understand how to work smart and not hard | Model a decent amount of the assets for the environment
Week #5
Texturing
Go over additional texturing techniques in Substance Designer and take a deeper dive into creating textures and materials for games | We will most likely use blends to get a better feeling from some parts of your environment and we can set those up in Unreal | Talk about the process of texturing and some important tips and guidelines to follow to keep them generally at a consistent feel
Week #6
Implementing Into Unreal
Bring both our models and textures into unreal and start to really solidify and layout the scene | Setup shaders based off of a needs basis for your environment and go over some additional steps that the models and shaders may need inside of Unreal
Week #7
Creating A Tree
Bring both our models and textures into unreal and start to really solidify and layout the scene | Setup shaders based off of a needs basis for your environment and go over some additional steps that the models and shaders may need inside of Unreal
Week #8
Foliage & The Details
Really start to focus on the details, once we have the structure and macro shapes inside of Unreal and a decent pass of shaders on them | Foliage setup and placement in the environment and go over any additional tips or techniques involving the creation of foliage and how to make it feel organic in a scene | Additional details and the set dressing for the scene will also be looked at, that may help with environmental storytelling or so
Week #9
Lighting & Post
Once we have everything setup, we will take a much deeper pass on lighting | Go over mood and how to sell a feeling or time frame with lighting that helps with the story or piece | Anything like fog, simple effects, sky, etc. will be looked into at this period as well on a case by case basis of what is needed | Additional post settings to help unify the scene
Week #10
Renders & Presentation
Discuss camera techniques and settings for screenshots | Go over how to render out shots and/or videos to show off your piece | Talk about the best way to present your piece in your portfolio and how to make it professional
STUDENT GALLERY
Prepare to meet your master.
LECTURES BY
Peyton Varney
Course Start: Jan 20, 2025
Peyton Varney is an Environment Texture Artist from South Alabama, currently working at Naughty Dog on The Last of Us Part 2. Previously, he worked on Marvel's Spiderman PS4 at Insomniac Games. Peyton received his BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design, and also taught prospective students 3D fundamentals and game design. He was featured as the "Rookie of the Year" for Game Development in 2018.
Instructor's Gallery
PRICING SCHEDULE
Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.
3x Payments
$332.67
2x Payments
$499
Full payment
$998
Winter TERM REGISTRATION
Now Open
Oct 09, 2024 -
Jan 27, 2025
COURSE BEGINS on Jan 20, 2025
What makes this learning experience unique?
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.
LIFETIME ACCESS
Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.
CERTIFICATION
Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.
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