Unreal Journey 7: Final Steps
With all the core functionality in place, the final steps of my Unreal Engine project involve fine-tuning interactions, decorating the scene, and setting up the final camera. These steps are crucial for transforming the technical elements into a cohesive and visually stunning piece of interactive art.
Interaction
The first task was fine-tuning the interaction mechanics. This stage involved several iterations to ensure that the interactions felt natural and intuitive. I spent a significant amount of time adjusting the responsiveness and fluidity of the controls, ensuring that the user experience was smooth and engaging. This fine-tuning is essential for maintaining immersion and enhancing the overall quality of the scene.
Importing Assets
To enrich the visual appeal of the scene, I imported various assets and materials from the Quixel library. Quixel’s high-quality assets significantly improved the realism and detail of the environment. Additionally, I imported a futuristic eye model from the internet, which I planned to control via OSC. Integrating these assets required careful adjustment to ensure they blended seamlessly with the rest of the scene.
Post-Processing
A considerable amount of effort went into post-processing to achieve the desired aesthetic. I aimed for a colder, more eerie look to match the futuristic theme of the scene. This involved tweaking color grading, contrast, and adding effects such as bloom and vignette. Post-processing is a powerful tool in Unreal Engine, allowing me to significantly alter the atmosphere and mood of the scene.
Terrain
I sculpted the terrain to match the envisioned layout of the scene. This step involved shaping the landscape to create a believable and immersive environment. The terrain sculpting tools in Unreal Engine are intuitive and powerful, allowing for detailed and realistic terrain creation. After sculpting, I applied textures and materials to give the terrain a polished look.
Camera
Setting up the camera was a critical step in finalizing the scene. I positioned the camera to capture the most compelling view of the environment, ensuring it worked like a real camera. Unreal Engine’s camera system allows for advanced setups, including the use of camera cranes and dollies, although for this project, a simpler setup sufficed.
One challenge I encountered was getting Unreal to render the scene through the camera in Play mode. This process is less straightforward compared to Unity, where switching to the camera view in Play mode is more intuitive. Despite this, I managed to configure the camera to achieve the desired perspective and visual impact.
Final Thoughts
These final steps were integral to bringing my project to life. Fine-tuning interactions, importing and integrating assets, enhancing the scene with post-processing effects, sculpting the terrain, and setting up the camera all contributed to creating a polished and immersive piece of interactive art.
You will see the Final Result of thiis semesters prototype in my next Blog Post.
