In just 24 lessons of one hour or less, learn how to start using Unreal Engine 4 to build amazing games for Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, the web, Linux-or all of them!
Sams Teach Yourself Unreal Engine 4 Game Development in 24 Hours' straightforward, step-by-step approach shows you how to work with Unreal Engine 4's interface, its workflows, and its most powerful editors and tools. In just hours you'll be creating effects, scripting warfare, implementing physics-even developing for mobile devices and HUDs. Every lesson builds on what you've already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success.
Organize new projects and work with the Gameplay Framework Master Unreal's units and control systems Import 3D models and work with the Static Mesh Editor Create new landscapes and use Unreal's foliage system Bring characters and creatures to life with the Persona Editor Apply materials and build lighting Integrate and modify audio with the Unreal Sound Cue Editor Craft particle effects and simulate physics Set up and react to player inputs Build levels and entirely new worlds Get started with powerful Blueprint visual scripting system Script an arcade game from start to finish Create events that respond to player actions Spawn Actors during gameplay Design and create action-based encounters Optimize games for mobile devices and touch-based inputs Build menus with Unreal's UMG UI Designer Prepare your game for deployment
Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common Unreal Engine 4 game development tasks.
Practical, hands-on examples show you how to apply what you learn.
Quizzes and Exercises help you test your knowledge and stretch your skills.
Notes and tips point out shortcuts and solutions.
All the project files and assets you'll need are available for download, including before-and-after files demonstrating initial setup and proper completion for every exercise.
Author(s): Aram Cookson; Tim Johnson; Clinton Crumpler
Publisher: Sams Publishing
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 496
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Preface
About the Author
Acknowledgment
Table of Contents
HOUR 1: Introducing Unreal Engine 4
Installing Unreal
Creating Your First Project
Learning the Interface
View Modes and Visualizers
Playing a Level
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 2: Understanding the Gameplay Framework
Available Resources
Asset References and the Reference Viewer
Gameplay Framework
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 3: Coordinates, Transforms, Units, and Organization
Understanding Cartesian Coordinates
Working with Transforms
Assessing Units and Measurements
Organizing a Scene
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 4: Working with Static Mesh Actors
Static Mesh Assets
Static Mesh Editor
Viewing UV Layouts
Collision Hulls
Static Mesh Actors
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 5: Applying Lighting and Rendering
Learning Light Terminology
Understanding Light Types
Using Light Properties
Building Lighting
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 6: Using Materials
Understanding Materials
Physically Based Rendering (PBR)
Material Input Types
Creating Textures
Making a Material
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 7: Using Audio System Elements
Introducing Audio Basics
Using Sound Actors
Controlling Sounds with Audio Volumes
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 8: Creating Landscapes and Foliage
Working with Landscapes
Sculpting Shapes and Volumes
Using Foliage
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 9: World Building
Building Worlds
World Building Process
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 10: Crafting Effects with Particle Systems
Understanding Particles and Data Types
Working with Cascade
Using Common Modules
Setting Up Materials for Particles
Triggering Particle Systems
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 11: Using Skeletal Mesh Actors
Defining Skeletal Meshes
Importing Skeletal Meshes
Learning Persona
Using Skeletal Mesh Actors
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 12: Matinee and Cinematics
Matinee Actors
Matinee Editor
Curve Editor
Working with Other Tracks
Working with Cameras in Matinee
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 13: Learning to Work with Physics
Using Physics in UE4
Simulating Physics
Using Physical Materials
Working with Constraints
Using Force Actors
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 14: Introducing Blueprint Visual Scripting System
Visual Scripting Basics
Understanding the Blueprint Editor
Fundamental Concepts in Scripting
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 15: Working with Level Blueprints
Actor Collision Settings
Assigning Actors to Events
Assigning Actors to Reference Variables
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 16: Working with Blueprint Classes
Using Blueprint Classes
The Blueprint Editor Interface
Working with the Components
Working with the Timeline
Scripting a Pulsating Light
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 17: Using Editable Variables and the Construction Script
Setting Up
Making Editable Variables
Using the Construction Script
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 18: Making Key Input Events and Spawning Actors
Why Spawning Is Important
Creating a Blueprint Class to Spawn
Setting Up the Spawner Blueprint
Spawning an Actor from a Class
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 19: Making an Action Encounter
Project Game Modes
Knowing Characters’ Abilities
Using Blueprint Classes
Actor and Component Tags
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 20: Creating an Arcade Shooter: Input Systems and Pawns
Identifying Requirements with a Design Summary
Creating a Game Project
Creating a Custom Game Mode
Creating a Custom Pawn and Player Controller
Controlling a Pawn’s Movement
Setting Up a Fixed Camera
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 21: Creating an Arcade Shooter: Obstacles and Pickups
Creating an Obstacle Base Class
Making Your Obstacle Move
Damaging the Pawn
Restarting the Game on Death
Creating a Health Pickup
Creating an Actor Spawner
Cleaning Up Old Obstacles
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 22: Working with UMG
Creating a Widget Blueprint
Navigating the UMG Interface
Creating a Start Menu
Sample Menu System
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 23: Making an Executable
Cooking Content
Packaging a Project for Windows
Resources for Android and iOS Packaging
Accessing Advanced Packaging Settings
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
HOUR 24: Working with Mobile
Developing for Mobile Devices
Using Touch
Using a Device’s Motion Data
Summary
Q&A
Workshop
Exercise
Index
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