Note: This book is a culmination of detailed topics covering several areas of Unreal, Blender, scripting, art, and the industry. You can expect a variety of related topics mixed with the core learning to help you gain a stronger understanding and appreciation for the field and software. Game development requires several applications in conjuction with Unreal and Blender to optimize workflows, especially related to importing content, editing, scripting, and animation. You will also briefly learn about compiling a game narrative and creating concepts.
Get ready to dive into the HOW's and the WHY's of general design and development for games, conceptualization, and animation. This book is for designers who want to expand their knowledge in utilizing various artistic 3D mediums and techniques in conjunction with programming, and/or quality assurance. This book will take you on a deep-dive into the intricacies, hands-on & theoretical importance of being a Technical Artist/Generalist in 3D modelling, animation, digital painting, programming in Unreal using blueprints and basic-to-intermediate C++, working in UX for QA or both. The topics covered in this book will also help in developing a perspective into managing and mentoring jr designers who are working in their first role as well as senior team members looking to expand their area of expertise.
Designers and developers already familiar with the workflows in Unreal Engine and Blender will gain new perspectives to improve their pipelines through speed, productivity, and quality by using situational & issue-specific techniques for problem solving, while learning useful ways to avoid burnout by developing a healthy work-life-balance that one might be struggling to build for themselves or believe there are aspects that need improving and on that note; this book will also take an unbiased deep-dive into what it takes to make a strong impression in the gaming and general entertainment industry, no matter the creators age or experience.
Readers will learn how to install Unreal Engine and Blender and to setup a simple scene in Unreal using both an empty project or starter content provided by Epic Games. After the initial steps and introduction, a thorough guide using text and images will be provided taking a quick but concise tour of the user interface in Blender and Unreal followed learning how to add a single mesh to the scene and continuing the modelling, texturing, rigging and animation process for that point forward.
By the end of this book intermediate users will gain an advanced understanding and a new perspective on the world of game design & development all the while learning not to be afraid to use any and all tools at their disposal, in creative and "unorthodox" ways. In turn, readers will be capable of passing on their prior and newfound knowledge to other aspiring creators in this field and beginners will spark a deeper interest into the world of 3D, 2D, and technology as a whole.
This book allows all readers to follow at their own pace and to hone your skills for each point by taking your time.
You will be encouraged to experiment, research, and combine various techniques. Any book or guide should be absorbed to the maximum capacity and used as a method of discovering and crafting a personal workflow and pipeline - just as true freedom within a game will enable players to continously revisit, feel inspired, and build their own story through events, and exploration!
Tools and resources will always evolve but the concepts you learn, and the skills you gain will remain consistent, and applicable across any genre, medium, and software package. Enjoy the journey, embrace and take advantage of innovation, and you will find yourself quickly applying existing experience to new tools, versions, and skills!
