Realize Your Level Design Ideas with UE5 and Blender from Udemy

Level design is an essential component of multiplayer action games. Ever fantasize about creating your own maps? This class will cover how to approach level design from high-level design thinking to the nuts and bolts of blocking out a level that you can traverse in Unreal Engine 5.

This class involves brainstorming, drawing, 3D modeling, and some setup and lighting in Unreal.

You can follow along using Blender for the modeling portion of the class or equivalent software. While prior experience using either Blender or Unreal is not required, it's recommended that you're familiar with the basics of your 3D software of choice. For the drawing portion, feel free to use good old fashioned pen and paper, then upload a picture of it to your computer using a phone.

Design a level based on the brief provided or create your own.

Soak in the design brief and let it marinate in your head
OR write up a new brief with specific parameters and restrictions defined
Draw up a 2D map either on paper or an image editing app like Photoshop using a pen tablet
Bring the drawing into a 3D app like Blender and begin modeling your level
Be mindful of the scale by checking the level geometry inside of Unreal. Use one of the default 1st or 3rd person character controllers to run around in your map.
Refine the level geometry and set up lights in Unreal, with annotations added where needed.

Once you've finished this class, you should have an awesome graybox level that runs on Unreal Engine 5. This can be used as a basis for an area in your dream game or added to your portfolio to point to and say, "I designed this. "

Note: This class does not cover gameplay programming or network multiplayer setup. However, graybox maps are perfectly valid portfolio material as it demonstrates how you design spaces. For personal game projects, you can use these techniques to consistently tackle the blank canvas with a reliable design process.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how to brainstorm ideas and create a paper map design
Learn 3d modeling for use in the unreal engine and its role in level design

Know how to use built-in features of unreal to kickstart level design ideas quickly
Be able to communicate design intent directly within the unreal editor

Understand how to brainstorm ideas and create a paper map design
Learn 3d modeling for use in the unreal engine and its role in level design
Know how to use built-in features of unreal to kickstart level design ideas quickly
Be able to communicate design intent directly within the unreal editor

Syllabus

Introduction

Paper Map Design

Lesson 1 - Design Brief

Lesson 2 - Design Brainstorm Pt 1

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in Blender and Unreal Engine 5, which are industry-standard tools for level design and 3D modeling

Covers the entire level design process, from initial brainstorming and sketching to 3D modeling and lighting in Unreal Engine

Teaches how to create graybox levels, which are valuable portfolio pieces for demonstrating spatial design skills to potential employers

Requires familiarity with 3D software, which may necessitate additional learning for students without prior experience in Blender or similar programs

Does not cover gameplay programming or network multiplayer setup, which are essential components for creating fully functional multiplayer games

Reviews summary

Level design foundations with ue5 & blender

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to the fundamental concepts of level design using Unreal Engine 5 and Blender. Students particularly praise the step-by-step guidance and the instructor's clear explanations, finding the content easy to follow even for beginners. Many appreciate the practical approach, focusing on brainstorming and grayboxing techniques essential for creating levels. However, some reviews indicate that learners with prior experience might find certain sections too basic. The course is highly recommended for those looking to start building level design portfolios without delving into complex programming.

Learn practical steps & tool use.

"The hands-on approach using Blender and UE5 together for blocking out levels is extremely practical and useful."

"Learning the workflow from 2D sketch to 3D blockout in UE5 with Blender integration was the strongest part."

"Gave me a practical set of steps to follow when starting a new level design project."

"The course successfully demonstrates how to use industry-standard tools effectively for level design."

"I now feel confident in starting a level design project using the methods taught here."

Covers essential level design workflow.

"Really enjoyed the focus on the design process and the workflow between Blender and UE5 for level blockouts."

"This course gives you a great foundation in the level design workflow from concept to rough blockout."

"Provides valuable insight into designing levels before getting into the nitty-gritty details."

"Helped solidify my understanding of the steps involved in creating a playable space."

"The course delivers on its promise to guide you through realizing level design ideas."

Well-suited for those starting out.

"This course is perfect for beginners in level design, covering all necessary steps from paper map to UE5 blockout."

"As a beginner, I found this course incredibly helpful. The explanations are clear and the pace is just right."

"Highly recommend for people who are new to UE5 and Level Design."

"A solid starting point for anyone looking to get into level design using these tools."

"Great foundational course, especially if you're new to the workflow."

Instructor explains concepts very clearly.

"The instructor is extremely clear and detailed in his explanation. This course is good even for beginners, you just need to follow his steps."

"Great information, the instructor's commentary is excellent and easy to follow along. Highly recommended if you want to understand the foundations."

"Instructor is very clear on his content. Highly recommend for people who are new to UE5 and Level Design."

"Great course! Detailed information and step-by-step instructions made it easy to follow along."

"The content was easy to understand and the instructor clearly outlined the steps needed to successfully complete the project."

Less depth for experienced users.

"While good for beginners, those with some experience in 3D modeling or game engines might find some parts a bit too slow or basic."

"I was hoping for a bit more advanced techniques, but it's a solid intro. Not for intermediate learners seeking deep dives."

"If you already know the basics of Blender and UE5, the initial lessons might be repetitive, but the design process part is still valuable."

"Good course for beginners, but intermediate users might want more advanced material. Still worthwhile for the workflow."

"Covered the essentials well, but didn't go into complex modeling or advanced UE5 features beyond lighting basics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Realize Your Level Design Ideas with UE5 and Blender with these activities:

The Level Design Book

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Learn level design principles to improve your map creation skills.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of 'The Level Design Book'.
Read the chapters on spatial design and player guidance.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to your level design project.

Brush up on Blender modeling basics

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Review Blender modeling techniques to prepare for the level blockout phase.

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Watch beginner Blender tutorials on YouTube.
Practice creating simple shapes and objects.
Experiment with modifiers like subdivision surface and bevel.
Familiarize yourself with Blender's interface and navigation.

Create a mood board for your level

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Gather visual inspiration to guide the aesthetic and atmosphere of your level.

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Collect images that evoke the desired mood and style.
Organize the images into a collage or digital board.
Identify common themes and visual elements.
Use the mood board as a reference during the design process.

Four other activities

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Develop a design document

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Plan out the key features and gameplay elements of your level before building it.

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Define the level's purpose and target audience.
Outline the level's layout and key areas.
Describe the gameplay mechanics and challenges.
Sketch out the level's visual style and atmosphere.

Annotate your level design

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Communicate your design intentions clearly within the Unreal Editor.

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Add text notes to explain design choices.
Use color-coded markers to highlight key areas.
Include diagrams or sketches to illustrate concepts.
Organize annotations logically for easy navigation.

Create a portfolio piece

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Showcase your level design skills to potential employers or collaborators.

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Capture high-quality screenshots and videos of your level.
Write a detailed description of your design process.
Highlight the key features and gameplay elements.
Present your work in a professional and visually appealing format.

Unreal Engine 5 Cookbook

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Learn practical techniques for level design in Unreal Engine 5.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Acquire a copy of 'Unreal Engine 5 Cookbook'.
Browse the chapters on lighting and level setup.
Try out the recipes that are relevant to your project.
Adapt the recipes to fit your specific needs.

Career center

Learners who complete Realize Your Level Design Ideas with UE5 and Blender will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Level Designer

A Level Designer crafts immersive and engaging environments for video games. They are responsible for creating the layouts, architecture, and interactive elements that define a player's experience. This course helps build a foundation for level design by showing how to approach level design from high level design thinking to the nuts and bolts of blocking out a level that you can traverse in Unreal Engine 5. You will create a graybox level that runs on Unreal Engine 5. This can be used as a basis for an area in your dream game or added to your portfolio. The course's focus on brainstorming, drawing 2D maps, 3D modeling in Blender, and level setup with lighting in Unreal Engine 5 provides practical experience that directly translates to the tasks a level designer performs daily.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Environment Artist

An Environment Artist creates the visual assets that populate a game's world. They model, texture, and place objects to bring a level designer's vision to life. This course helps build a foundation in the modeling aspects of environment art specifically through its focus on creating level blockouts using Blender. Learning the basics of 3D modeling, understanding level scale within Unreal Engine, and refining level geometry are crucial skills for an environment artist. The course provides valuable experience in creating assets and understanding how they fit within a game environment. Using the annotation tools will also benefit this role in their communication with other team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist

Game Designer

A Game Designer is responsible for the overall vision and mechanics of a game. They define the gameplay rules, player progression, and overall experience. This course may be useful to game designers because it provides experience in level design, a critical aspect of game design. It focuses on brainstorming, drawing, and 3D modeling in Unreal Engine, providing a practical understanding of how game spaces are created. The course helps game designers prototype and visualize their ideas, and create portfolio material.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

3D Modeler

A 3D Modeler creates three-dimensional assets for various applications, including video games, animation, and virtual reality. This course is helpful for aspiring 3D modelers to learn the basics of level design and the role 3D models play in creating game environments. The course's focus on Blender helps build a solid foundation in 3D modeling techniques. You will learn to model level boundaries, create detailed blockouts, and refine level geometry. These skills are directly applicable to creating assets for game levels and other 3D applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler

Technical Artist

A Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and programming, optimizing assets and developing tools to improve art workflows. This course may be useful because understanding level design principles and the technical aspects of implementing levels in Unreal Engine is valuable for technical artists. The course touches on lighting, scale testing and blockout which will help you to develop workflows for artists. Using the annotation tools will also benefit this role in their communication with other team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Virtual Reality Developer

A Virtual Reality Developer creates immersive experiences for VR platforms. This course may be useful because level design principles are crucial for creating engaging VR environments. The skills learned in Brainstorming, drawing, 3D modeling, and setting up levels in Unreal Engine 5 can be directly applied to VR development. Understanding how to create interactive spaces and optimize them for performance is essential for VR developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Reality Developer

Augmented Reality Developer

An Augmented Reality Developer creates applications that overlay digital content onto the real world. This course may be useful as augmented reality often involves creating virtual environments or enhancing existing physical spaces. The level design principles and 3D modeling skills covered in the course will help you prototype and visualize AR experiences. Furthermore, the knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 will allow you to create interactive and engaging AR content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Augmented Reality Developer

Animator

An animator creates moving images through the use of computers or other technology. This course may be useful as animators can utilize level design principles and 3D modeling skills to create compelling environments for their animations. The course touches on the fundamentals of creating spaces in Unreal Engine 5 that help develop these skills which will help them visualize and build the worlds in which their animations take place.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Quality Assurance Tester

A Quality Assurance Tester identifies and reports defects in software or games. This course may be useful as a quality assurance tester. Understanding level design principles allows testers to better evaluate the functionality and playability of game levels. Your ability to traverse in Unreal Engine 5 will allow you to quickly assess how well levels engage end users. The course's focus on level blockouts and lighting also helps testers identify potential issues with level construction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Tester

Gameplay Programmer

A Gameplay Programmer implements the mechanics and systems that define how a game is played. A Gameplay Programmer uses this course to understand how to create engaging levels and can use those skills to create portfolio material. Level design principles are foundational to games and translate well even if this course does not cover the network multiplayer setup.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate software. Software Engineer may find value using this course because it introduces you to 3D modeling. You will further build a basic understanding of how these models operate within Unreal Engine 5. This understanding can assist in a variety of projects.

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Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts to communicate information. A Graphic Designer may find value using this course because it introduces you to 3D modeling. You will learn to create a 3D model using Blender. You will discover a new world of graphic design.

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Web Developer

A web developer designs, builds, and maintains websites. This course may be useful as a web developer because it introduces you to the basic principles of game level design. Also, the course introduces the basics of 3D model creation using Blender.

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Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager is responsible for creating and managing a company's social media presence. Social Media Managers can use this course to develop content for games or 3D software. You will be better be able to speak the language of the industry. Understanding level design will also help you to come up with new ideas to engage your audience.

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Digital Marketer

A Digital Marketer is responsible for planning and executing digital marketing campaigns to promote products or services online. Digital Marketers can use this course to understand the creation of virtual worlds. With this understanding, you will be able to create more effective marketing materials for gaming related products and services.

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Realize Your Level Design Ideas with UE5 and Blender

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Level design foundations with ue5 & blender

Activities

Career center

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