Week two - Importing into unreal and finishing my block out

I had set myself a few prioritised tasks at the end of last week and knew I needed to focus on them immediately. I really wanted to get my very basic block out into unreal so i started with that. I had a lecture where we were showed how to efficiently export the sculpt from Maya and import it into unreal using the game exporter setting, I am very glad for this lecture since this was a way of doing it I didn't know before. Just before exporting it I added in the block out doors which I made purple so I could pick them out amongst the walls in Maya.

Then I selected everything and used game exporter to save the fbx file and dragged it into my contents draw open in unreal to import it. I set the location setting to 0 so it was placed centrally and like it was in Maya. I noticed in engine that the way I had made the base floor came up kind of glitchy and broken up so I also noted I needed to redo the floor.

Next, I knew I wanted to start adding some detail into the walls so started working on the windows. I first created a pure ref specifically for the windows. Some images for the windows were hard to find mainly the back smaller window since its never shot from the inside as far as I can find, so I based the sculpt purely off the out side shots.

I first started working on the big window at the back of the living area since its the biggest and would help me with scale on the other back window. I think I got the scale pretty good after using my references alot and the blocked out scaled items around it.

Next, I worked on the kitchen window which is built in a slightly different way due to how it opens. I used the shelf and sink block outs to again help with scale and placement.

I then worked on the more hidden back window, I noticed from my references the bottom pane of the window seems like a screen window so I put some faces in-between it that I could later texture to look like a screen. I also kept this window opened since it usually is open so people can make there way too and from the balcony.

I started to import my windows into unreal and I really like how they look and how the light comes through them.

I then also sculpted a ceiling to finish off the base and imported it in to my project. I added in a couple of exterior lights and also briefly tried adding in some interior lights however I feel like I need to watch a couple of videos and do some research on how to efficiently light scenes before trying again.

Throughout the process I've been following along with my Trello and backing up my work using GitHub, I also use GitHub to help transfer my project between my devices.

While my Trello has been great at making me immediately aware of what I need to do I still feel like I've struggles with time management this week, due to illness and juggling my other two modules and some personal work I picked up. To combat this going forward I'm going to combine my use of Trello with a work a plan for specific days to work on each module so I know exactly what I'm doing each day and there's no time wasted being indecisive on what module I need to prioritise.

I also did the environment art document that was given on the learning space. I found it quite useful and it really made me think about what theme and vibe I needed to try to recreate and portray.

This week definitely hasn't been my most productive week, however I know how to proceed now so hopeful ill have a better time going forward. My main priorities for the beginning of next week are to start adding some details and making some proper assets, my plan was to start in the kitchen area and get a pretty solid base with that before moving on and I plan to hopefully have this base at the end of the week. I also want to do alot more research and practice with unreal 5 since I am struggling with it at the moment and want to increase my knowledge of it so I feel more confident in the engine and so the process is alot smoother.