UDK

Udk

In UDK we learnt how to make a simple room using the content browser and basic tools withing the UDK editor. First we learnt how to use the box shaped brush tool, using it to add and subtract shapes to create the ideal shape of the room.

Using lights was an essential part and using them meant each time we updated our level we need to rebuild the lighting and geometry.

This is the content browser it allows us to add pre made models to the level to help build a room to a better standard whilst practicing. Companies are known to pay a fee to use the content browser to make their own games.

This is what i created for the first time using UDK, there is also a directional light added to the scene in the direction of what the sky looks like the sun is shining through and i also used the materials in content browser and simply dragged them on and scaled them using the texture alignment tool mode. The sun rays are simply added through the options menu.

Jump pads

To use jump pad you need to link the utjump pad found in the actor classes with a path node which is also found in the actor classes by typing the name of the path node in the jump pad properties. This will only once the game type is changed to "utgame" in the world properties. This is a useful navigation tool to use in games for crossing different paths of a map and to find secrets within a game.

Teleporter

To make a teleporter you simply add two to the stage from the actor classes and then go into each of the teleporters properties and give the URL the name of the one it is linked to and name the object tele1 or tele2.

Landscape editor and foliage editor

The landscape editor is used to manipulate the plane into terrain, this changes the way a level look completely different and more realistic this is one of the main features i will use in my level.

First to make a plane for height map you the size needs to be 1 under the 2 by 2 size so ive made this plane 127 by 127. Once made i first need to make a texture by adding a new material to a new package naming it in the correct boxes.

Material editor basics are easy to learn, i added texture samples, terrain weights and texture coordinates.

The texture coordinate changes the amount the texture is tiled, the terrain weight allows you to use it in the landscape editor. I also added a normal map linked to the coordinate as well. 

Here the screenshot is showing use of the editor such as the smooth brush and paint brush, then painting of the textures.

This is a screen shot of the foliage brush this tool is very useful for quickly adding grass and trees to the level by changing density and sizes you can really take control of what you want to add. This is all added from the content browser.

Volumes.

Volumes are used to make things like water swimmable and ladder climable. They are found under volumes on the left.

Water

First you need a fluid surface actor to make the plane act like water when shot such as ripples.

Then a UTwatervolume needs to be added to allow the player to swim in it sometimes you need to change your killz to - 2000 if the player ends up dying when jumping in.

Next the postprocess volume to make the water seem blurry under water when swimming. For this you need to go into properties and enable DOF and change the inner radius to 96.

This is what it looks like you can add a water material to make the water actually look like water.

Ladders

Ladders are make by adding a ladder volume to a vertical ascending wall and have the arrow pointing to what you want to climb up by changing the yaw to what ever is needed.