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    World Creation

    Lesson 2 in Unreal Environments

    Lesson Information

    In this lesson, you will build a new level in Unreal Engine. Utilizing various sculpting, set dressing and lighting techniques, your level will progress from a completely flat plane to a beautifully laid out vista. 

    Homework
    Lay the Groundwork

    Create a new level, with its own skydome and lighting. This will be the basis of your level going forward.

    Moving Mountains

    Duplicate the basic level you created earlier, and create a few different versions. In each, try experimenting with the various sculpting tools to create land formations. Pay attention to your landmasses, and make sure they aren't becoming unrealistic. When in doubt, consult your references.

    The Joy of Painting

    Paint some of the various environment layers into your scene. You can also try adding roads or water for an extra challenge. Don't worry too much about polishing or adding props to your scene. Now is the time for experimenting. 

    Make It Pretty

    Choose your favorite of the landscapes you created in earlier exercises, save a backup copy, and then dress the scene with props so it looks good from a single camera angle. 

    Full Immersion

    Add set dressing to your scene in all directions. Make sure to enter first-person mode and walk around your scene. Seeing things from human scale might expose new problems.

    Share Your Work

    Upload an image of your environment using the 'Upload Homework' button above, so your instructor and fellow students can see your progress!

    233 Comments

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    Karl Howard

    Hey Joe,

    I had to uninstall and reinstall Unreal Engine along with your downloadable assets. Now I cant seem to find the download link at the beginning of the tutorial. How can I get them back so I can continue the follow along?

    All the best,

    Karl

    Francesco Furneri

    I found a practical solution for the issue.
    You can create the road and then you load a new Biome with dry grass. You paint on the road so that the surface underneath doesn't have grass and flowers coming up.
    It works for me!

    Robert Reese

    Hi all
    I went back and redid some video and started a new landscape.
    Can you make a river or creek with splines..
    do you have any plans to add a video for that? I think it would be great.
    thanks.

    Suwin Puengsamrong

    Hi Joe
    As I attempt to populate the terrain with Trees and cliffs procedural generated assets, I get this error message. Unable to spawn instances. Ensure a large enough surface exists within the volume.
    This happens once I hit Resimulate in the Procedural Foliage section of UE4. Please help me to fix.

    View 1 reply

    Joe Garth instructor

    Hi, that usually means that the box isn't intersecting with the landscape. Basically landscape or other collision objects are required for the spawner to work as it's based on Physical collisions.
    Cheers,
    Joe

    Mark Johnson

    Hi Joe,
    This isn't really a big issue, or anything that is specific to your skills, but for some reason whenever I try to play the game and run around, it spawns me under the map. Ive clicked on the "Start from camera position" countless times, and all the settings I can find match those in the final level you supplied. Its just a little frustrating as I can't test the scale of my world very easily.
    If you have any ideas why I'd be very appreciative.

    View 2 replies

    Kevin Cantrell

    Hi Joe,
    You stated that World Composition is going away in UE5 and further stated that there are better ways. Can you direct me in the direction of a tutorial you know of or other information?
    Thanks

    Joe Garth instructor

    usually you would need to make an extremely large mountain/altitude for that to happen. Could you send a screenshot, it might help me understand the issue
    Cheers
    Joe

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