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Large Game Environment Creation - UE5 Tutorial Course

FastTrack Tutorials

Large Game Environment Creation - In-Depth Tutorial Course

Learn how a professional environment artist works when creating large environments for games. You’ll learn techniques like Modular Modeling, Procedural Texturing, High to low poly modeling, Sculpting, Composition, Level Art, Lighting – and much more.

*Environment based on the concept art from Luis Medina*

Read more

Large Game Environment Creation - In-Depth Tutorial Course

Learn how a professional environment artist works when creating large environments for games. You’ll learn techniques like Modular Modeling, Procedural Texturing, High to low poly modeling, Sculpting, Composition, Level Art, Lighting – and much more.

*Environment based on the concept art from Luis Medina*

Sculpting will be done using Zbrush and the materials will be created using Substance Designer and previewed in marmoset toolbag 4. The environment will be built in the brand-new Unreal Engine 5 and the lighting will use the new Lumen system. Next to this, we will also use Substance Painter to generate masks.

In this course, you will learn everything you need to know to create the final results that you see in the images and trailers. Next to this, the same techniques can be applied to almost any type of environment.

32.5 HOURS.

This course contains over 32.5 hours of content – You can follow along with every single step – The course does enclose a few small-time lapses, this is just to speed up very repetitive tasks, the rest is done in real-time.

We will start by going over our reference and planning and then continue to create a blockout version of our environment. We will be using modular modeling techniques to create all the pieces and later on take them to final.We will also be using Zbrush to sculpt more detailed pieces like the pillars. We will set up all these pieces in UE5 and already build our environment. Then we will move on to create our procedural materials.Once those are done, we will do the UV-Unwrapping of our models and apply our materials.We will then export everything to UE5, set up our materials and shaders, and get started with the composition, lighting, and general improvement of our environment.We will leave the course off with general polishing and also adding some megascans statues to push the quality even more.

However, if you have never touched any modeling or texturing tools before we recommend that you first watch an introduction tutorial of those programs (you can find many of these for free on YouTube or paid on this very website)

He’s worked on games like The Division 2 + DLC at Ubisoft, Forza Horizon 3 at Playground Games, and as a Freelancer on multiple projects as an Environment Artist and Material Artist.

All the videos will have logical naming and are numbered to make it easy to find exactly the ones you want to follow.

If you want all source files & extra content like un-timelapsed footage please look us up on ArtStation, Gumroad or FlippedNormals

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to build large environments in unreal engine 5
  • Learn how to model in maya 2022
  • Learn how to create procedural materials in substance designer
  • Learn everything you need to know to create environments for games
  • Bonus - lighting your environment with tilmann milde (ea lighting art director)

Syllabus

Full Course
Going Over Our Reference And Planning Part1
Going Over Our Reference And Planning Part2
Creating Our Blockout Pieces Part1
Read more
Creating Our Blockout Pieces Part2
Creating Our Blockout Pieces Part3
Creating Our Blockout Pieces Part4
Setting Up Unreal Engine 5 And Importing Our Blockout Pieces
Testing Out Our Blockout Pieces
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part1
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part2
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part3 - Timelapse
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part4 - Timelapse
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part5 - Timelapse
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part6 - Timelapse
Doing Our Structural Level Art Part7 - Timelapse
Creating Our Unique Blockout Pieces Part1
Creating Our Unique Blockout Pieces Part2
Turning Our Plinth To Final Part1
Turning Our Plinth To Final Part2
Turning Our Plinth To Final Part3
Turning Our Plinth To Final Part4
Creating Our Pillar Part1
Creating Our Pillar Part2
Creating Our Pillar Part3
Creating Our Pillar Part4
Creating Our Pillar Part5
Creating Our Pillar Part6
Creating Our Pillar Part7
Creating Our Pillar Part8 - Timelapse
Creating Our Pillar Part9
Creating Our Pillar Part10
Creating Our Pillar Part11
Turning Our Trim Blockout Into Final
Creating Our Stair Railings Part1
Creating Our Stair Railings Part2
Creating Our Stair Railings Part3
Creating Our Corner Arch Part1
Creating Our Corner Arch Part2
Creating Our Other Arches
Creating Our Small Windows
Creating Our Door And Flat Pillar Part1
Creating Our Flat Pillar Part2
Creating Our Round Roof Part1
Creating Our Round Roof Part2
Creating Our Round Roof Part3
Creating Our Triangle Roof
Creating Our Addon Pieces - Narrated Timelapse
Polishing Our Asset Placement
Polishing Our Final Assets Part1
Polishing Our Final Assets Part2
Going Over Our Texture Reference And Planning
Creating Our Sand Material Part1
Creating Our Sand Material Part2
Creating Our Wall Material Part1
Creating Our Wall Material Part2
Creating Our Wall Material Part3
Creating Our Wall Material Part4
Creating Our Wall Material Part5
Creating Our Wall Material Part6
Creating Our Wall Material Part7
Uv Unwrapping Our Models Part1
Uv Unwrapping Our Models Part2 - Timelapse
Setting Up Our First Final Object Part1
Setting Up Our First Final Object Part2
Setting Up Our First Final Object Part3
Setting Up Our First Final Object Part4
Creating Masks For Our Objects Part1 -Timelapse
Creating Masks For Our Objects Part2 - Timelapse
Creating Our Tri-Planar Material
Setting Up Parralax On Our Master Material
Setting Up Our Vertex Painting
Adding Vertex Colors To Our Objects
Creating Our Metal Texture And Adding It To Our Roof
Doing Our First Lighting Pass Part1
Doing Our First Lighting Pass Part2
Adding Large Scale Variations Part1
Adding Large Scale Variations Part2
Adding Large Scale Variations Part3
Doing Our Second Lighting Pass
Creating Our Corner Damage
Adding Normal Map Details
Adding Megascan Statues
Setting Up Our Terrain Material And Sculpting
Terrain Sculpting -Timelapse
Polishing Our Terrain Part1
Polishing Our Terrain Part2
Polishing Our Scene Part1
Polishing Our Scene Part2 -Timelapse
Outro
Here you will find the time lapsed footage from the course in real-time
11-Doing Our Structural Level Art Part3
12-Doing Our Structural Level Art Part4
13-Doing Our Structural Level Art Part5
14-Doing Our Structural Level Art Part6
15-Doing Our Structural Level Art Part7
29-Creating Our Pillar Part8
62-Uv Unwrapping Our Models Part2
67-Creating Masks For Our Objects Part1
68-Creating Masks For Our Objects Part2

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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 Large Game Environment Creation - UE5 Tutorial Course with these activities:
Review Maya Fundamentals
Refresh your understanding of Maya's interface, basic modeling tools, and navigation before diving into the course. This will help you follow along more easily with the modeling sections.
Show steps
  • Review the Maya interface and navigation.
  • Practice basic modeling techniques like extrusion and bevelling.
  • Familiarize yourself with common keyboard shortcuts.
Brush up on Substance Designer Basics
Revisit the fundamentals of Substance Designer, including graph creation, node usage, and material properties. This will prepare you for the procedural texturing aspects of the course.
Browse courses on Substance Designer
Show steps
  • Review the Substance Designer interface and graph editor.
  • Practice creating simple materials using basic nodes.
  • Experiment with different material properties and effects.
Follow UE5 Lighting Tutorials
Explore tutorials specifically focused on lighting in Unreal Engine 5 using Lumen. This will enhance your understanding of the lighting techniques used in the course.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on Lumen global illumination and reflections.
  • Experiment with different lighting setups in a test scene.
  • Analyze the lighting in existing UE5 environments.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Modular Asset Creation Practice
Practice creating a small set of modular assets (e.g., walls, floors, pillars) in Maya and importing them into UE5. This will reinforce the modular modeling techniques taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Design a small set of modular assets based on a simple theme.
  • Model the assets in Maya, paying attention to consistent scale and snapping points.
  • Import the assets into UE5 and assemble a small structure.
  • Iterate on the design and modeling based on the results in UE5.
Read 'The Art of Maya'
Study a book on Maya to deepen your understanding of the software's capabilities and workflows. This will complement the modeling techniques taught in the course.
View Discover the Game With Alias on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Art of Maya'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to modeling and texturing.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in the book.
Document Your Environment Creation Process
Create a blog post or video series documenting your process of creating a small game environment using the techniques learned in the course. This will solidify your understanding and help you share your knowledge with others.
Show steps
  • Choose a small environment to recreate or design.
  • Document each step of the process, including modeling, texturing, and lighting.
  • Share your documentation on a blog, portfolio, or video platform.
Contribute to an Open Source UE5 Project
Find an open-source Unreal Engine 5 project and contribute assets, materials, or lighting setups based on the techniques learned in the course. This will provide valuable experience working in a collaborative environment.
Show steps
  • Search for open-source UE5 projects on platforms like GitHub.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
  • Follow the project's contribution guidelines and submit your work.

Career center

Learners who complete Large Game Environment Creation - UE5 Tutorial Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Environment Artist
An Environment Artist is responsible for creating immersive and visually compelling worlds for video games. This course focused on Large Game Environment Creation helps those wishing to work as an Environment Artist. The course emphasizes practical skills such as modular modeling and procedural texturing, which are vital for efficient environment creation. The course demonstrates how to use industry-standard tools like Maya, ZBrush, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine 5. The course's in-depth exploration of level art, composition, and lighting using Unreal Engine 5's Lumen system provides an excellent foundation for anyone looking to create stunning game environments, increasing their prospects as an Environment Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist
Environment Designer
An Environment Designer creates the visual aspects of a game, including terrain, buildings, and other elements, to enhance gameplay. This course focused on Large Game Environment Creation is useful for Environment Designers. The use of level art, lighting with the Lumen system, and environment creation pipelines used in the course are highly applicable to the role of Environment Designer. The course’s instruction on modular modeling, procedural texturing, and composition helps build a foundation for those wishing to work as an Environment Designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Designer
Material Artist
Material Artists produce textures and shaders that define the surface properties of objects in a game world. This course focused on Large Game Environment Creation helps those wishing to work as a Material Artist. The detailed sections on creating procedural materials in Substance Designer, coupled with their application within Unreal Engine 5, are directly applicable to the Material Artist workflow. The course includes sand and wall material creation. Learning how to create metal textures, and triplanar materials helps build a foundation for working as a Material Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Material Artist
3D Modeler
A 3D Modeler creates the three-dimensional assets that populate game environments. This course is focused on Large Game Environment Creation. The course helps those wishing to work as a 3D Modeler. The course’s instruction on modular modeling, high-to-low poly modeling, and sculpting in ZBrush provide a solid foundation in industry-standard techniques. The course goes over the creation of plinths, pillars, stair railings, arches, windows and other architectural pieces. The course’s use of Maya, along with its practical application within a game engine, ensures the skills learned are relevant to a 3D Modeler.
See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler
Virtual World Designer
Virtual World Designers create immersive and interactive environments for virtual reality or online games. The Large Game Environment Creation course helps those wishing to work as a Virtual World Designer. The course includes modular modeling, sculpting with ZBrush, procedural texturing with Substance designer, and level art composition. The course helps students create and integrate 3D assets into Unreal Engine 5. The course's focus on creating a cohesive and visually appealing environment is directly applicable to virtual world design, increasing chances of success for a Virtual World Designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual World Designer
Lighting Artist
A Lighting Artist is responsible for illuminating game environments, setting the mood, and directing player attention. This course on Large Game Environment Creation helps build a foundation in the skills Lighting Artists use. The course dives into several lighting passes to refine the mood. The use of the Unreal Engine 5 Lumen system is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the inclusion of a bonus section with Tilmann Milde, an EA Lighting Art Director, helps those wishing to work as a Lighting Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Artist
Freelance Artist
A Freelance Artist provides artistic services on a contract basis, working on various projects for different clients. This course on Large Game Environment Creation helps those wishing to work as a Freelance Artist. The course’s focus on building environments and the use of Unreal Engine 5 may be useful to build a portfolio. The course demonstrates technical proficiency, from modeling in Maya and sculpting in ZBrush to texturing in Substance Designer and composing scenes in Unreal Engine 5. The course’s instruction on lighting with the Lumen system may also be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Artist
World Builder
A World Builder is responsible for the overall design and construction of a game's environment, ensuring consistency and immersion. This course on Large Game Environment Creation is useful for those wishing to work as a World Builder. The course's emphasis on level design, modular modeling, and environment creation pipelines helps build a foundation. Additionally, the course goes over the use of terrain sculpting to set the environment. The course's coverage of Unreal Engine 5, level art techniques, and composition also provides an excellent foundation for those pursuing a role as World Builder.
See salaries and explore the career path for World Builder
Game Artist
A Game Artist focuses on creating the visual elements of a video game. The Large Game Environment Creation course helps those wishing to work as a Game Artist. The course's instruction on modular modeling, procedural texturing, sculpting with ZBrush, and lighting with Unreal Engine 5's Lumen system is very applicable. The course also demonstrates how to use industry-standard tools such as Maya, Substance Designer, and Substance Painter. The course helps build a foundation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist
Level Designer
A Level Designer crafts engaging and functional gameplay spaces within a game. The Large Game Environment Creation course may be useful providing the skills in modular modeling and level art that Level Designers use. The course also goes into composition. Level designers often use composition to guide player experience. The course's focus on building environments within Unreal Engine 5, including the use of blockouts, level art techniques, and the Lumen lighting system, allows level designers to iterate effectively and helps demonstrate the visual impact of Level Designer's choices. The course is helpful those wishing to work as Level Designers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer
Texture Artist
Texture Artists specialize in creating the surface details of 3D models, adding realism and visual interest. This course may be useful in helping those wishing to work as a Texture Artist. The course’s detailed sections on creating procedural materials with Substance Designer, generating masks with Substance Painter, and UV unwrapping provide valuable experience directly applicable to texturing workflows. The course explores how to create sand and wall textures. The course’s instruction on generating masks for objects may also be useful. The course is helpful for Texture Artists.
See salaries and explore the career path for Texture Artist
Prop Artist
A Prop Artist specializes in creating smaller, detailed objects that add character and realism to a game world. This course on Large Game Environment Creation may be useful for those wishing to work as a Prop Artist. The course teaches sculpting in ZBrush. The course also includes information about Material Art and the creation of props such as statues. The course’s instruction on UV unwrapping and texturing in Substance Painter also helps build a foundation for working as a Prop Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Prop Artist
Technical Artist
A Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and programming, optimizing art assets and workflows. This course may be useful for aspiring Technical Artists, as it provides a solid grounding in environment creation pipelines. The course's use of procedural material creation in Substance Designer and mask generation in Substance Painter. The course's content on UV unwrapping and setting up materials and shaders in Unreal Engine 5 will also be relevant. Technical Artists also assist with lighting, and this course's integration of the Lumen system may be useful. The course is helpful those wishing to work as Technical Artists.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist
Visual Development Artist
A Visual Development Artist creates concept art and designs to establish the visual style of a game world. This course focused on Large Game Environment Creation may be helpful for Visual Development Artists. The techniques taught in the course, like level art and composition, are the same skills used by visual development artists. The course’s work with ZBrush and Substance Painter also helps build a foundation for visual development. The course covers a wide range of topics, including lighting with lumen, that may be useful for Visual Development Artists.
See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist
Architectural Visualization Artist
An Architectural Visualization Artist creates renderings and animations of architectural designs. This course on Large Game Environment Creation may be helpful for those wishing to work as an Architectural Visualization Artist. The use of lighting and level art taught in the course may be useful. The course’s instruction on modular modeling and creating structural pieces translates directly to architectural elements, while the texturing techniques add realism to the models. The course helps build a foundation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Visualization Artist

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Large Game Environment Creation - UE5 Tutorial Course.
Cover image
Discover the Game with Alias
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Maya's features and workflows. It covers a wide range of topics, including modeling, texturing, animation, and rendering. While some parts may be outdated, it is still a valuable resource for understanding the fundamentals of Maya. It can be used as a reference tool to supplement the course material.
Discover the Game With Alias
Paperback
$$

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42 total hours
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FastTrack Tutorials
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English
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