Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass from Coursera

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Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will cover the fundamental setup in Substance Painter, from understanding import settings to navigating the viewport. You’ll learn to work with UDIMs and bake texture maps for stylized assets, setting the stage for more advanced techniques later in the course.

Working with Layers and Masks

In this module, we will explore the core texturing methods in Substance Painter, focusing on creating and applying layers and masks. You’ll learn to build complex materials, starting with ropes and flags, and gain a solid understanding of working with masks for detailed texture work.

Welcome to Substance Painter Filters

In this module, we will focus on using filters to create stylized textures. You will learn to work with advanced masking techniques and filters, like the MatFx OilPaint, to generate unique textures for a stylized wagon’s rooftop.

Creating and Exporting Smart Materials

In this module, we will dive into creating smart materials for wood, focusing on texture details like wood grains, edgewear, and roughness. You’ll learn how to generate lighting effects and export smart materials for use in future 3D projects.

Applying Textures Complete Workflow

In this module, we will walk through a complete workflow for applying textures. You will explore mirroring functions, creating texture variations, and saving smart materials for easy future use, speeding up the texturing process of your stylized assets.

Working with Stylized Metal Materials Part 1

In this module, we will begin the process of creating stylized metal materials. You’ll learn to layer details, adjust roughness values, and apply advanced techniques for a unique metallic texture on your 3D assets.

Working with Stylized Metal Materials Part 2

In this module, we will refine the stylized metal texturing process. You’ll work with tri-planar projection to blend textures seamlessly and create multiple variations, such as brass, to give your 3D asset a distinct metallic finish.

Working with Glass and Emission

In this module, we will focus on creating stylized glass and emission effects. You’ll learn to work with emission texture channels, height maps, and custom mask painting to develop unique materials for assets like windows and lanterns.

Projection and Tri-Planner Projection Painting

In this module, we will explore the techniques of projection and tri-planar projection painting. You’ll use alpha textures and decals to add fine details to your asset, and learn how to export smart materials efficiently for game development projects.

Rendering and Exporting Texture Maps in Substance Painter

In this module, we will cover the final rendering and exporting steps. You’ll learn to set up renders using Substance Painter’s Iray renderer and export texture maps, ensuring they are ready for use in Unreal Engine 5.

Unreal Engine 5 Setup and Introduction

In this module, we will transition to Unreal Engine 5, setting up the project and learning the basics of the interface. You’ll import your stylized wagon asset into the engine, ready for further adjustments and scene development.

Setting Up Texture Maps

In this module, we will focus on importing and applying texture maps in Unreal Engine 5. You’ll learn how to use UDIM textures effectively and assign materials to various parts of your stylized 3D models.

Setting Up Trees and Rocks

In this module, we will enhance our scene by importing rocks and trees. You’ll learn to work with Speed Tree formats and integrate these natural assets into the environment for your stylized 3D world.

Creating Foliage in Unreal Engine 5

In this module, we will focus on creating detailed foliage for the scene. You’ll learn to texture and model foliage elements like leaves and ferns, adding variety to your environment for a more organic look.

Creating Wind Animations

In this module, we will introduce wind animations for foliage. You’ll learn to set up materials for vertex painting and create realistic wind movement, adding life and motion to your environment.

Bringing the Scene to Life

In this module, we will focus on bringing your scene to life by painting foliage and setting up scene dynamics. You’ll learn how to use Unreal Engine 5’s foliage tools to create rich, detailed environments.

Texture Painting with Multiple Textures

In this module, we will explore advanced texture painting techniques. You’ll blend multiple textures to achieve realistic terrain and learn how to manage height-based transitions for a more dynamic surface.

Welcome to the Unreal Engine Niagara System

In this module, we will explore the Unreal Engine Niagara system. You’ll learn how to set up particle systems and create stunning firefly effects that add life and depth to your 3D environment.

Quixel Bridge System

In this module, we will integrate Quixel Bridge assets and use Niagara to create fire and ember simulations. You’ll bring new depth to your environment through detailed particle effects.

Unreal Engine Blueprints

In this module, we will dive into Unreal Engine blueprints, learning how to create dynamic effects like light flickers and how to start building interactive scenes using blueprint classes.

Populating Our Scene with Foliage

In this module, we will focus on populating the scene with foliage. You’ll add trees, grass, and plants to create a rich and vibrant environment that looks more natural and immersive.

Adding Fire to Our Scene

In this module, we will add fire elements to the scene. You’ll learn how to set up campfires and other fire sources using the fire simulations you’ve previously built to create a warm, inviting environment.

Lighting, Fog, and Volumetrics

In this module, we will focus on lighting, fog, and volumetric effects. You’ll learn how to use these tools to create atmosphere and depth in your 3D environment, transforming the look and feel of your scene.

Animating Cloth and Simulation

In this module, we will explore cloth animations. You’ll learn how to animate assets like flags and foliage, giving them natural, realistic movement that adds life to your environment.

Cameras and Post Processing Our Render

In this module, we will dive into camera work and post-processing. You’ll set up cinematic shots, apply color grading, and optimize lighting to showcase your 3D environment in the best possible way.

Adding Audio and Ambience

In this module, we will enhance your 3D scene with audio. You’ll learn how to integrate and mix sounds, create spatial audio effects, and render your scene with both audio and high-quality visuals for a fully immersive experience.

Creating and Editing a Short Film

In this module, we will create a short film from your 3D scene. You’ll learn the essentials of movie creation and editing, blending audio and video to craft a polished, professional project.

Stylized Smoke

In this module, we will create stylized smoke effects using a particle system. You’ll animate and integrate smoke into your environment, adding an extra layer of atmosphere and realism to your 3D world.

Outro Video

In this final module, we will wrap up the course by reviewing the techniques you’ve learned and discussing the future of 3D modeling and game design. You’ll gain insights into industry trends and be encouraged to continue honing your skills.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers UDIM workflows and texture baking, which are essential techniques for creating high-quality assets in modern 3D pipelines

Explores advanced texturing techniques, such as layering, masking, and filtering, which are crucial for achieving stylized effects in game assets

Teaches how to set up and optimize game environments in Unreal Engine 5, including importing textures and assets created in Substance Painter

Requires a basic understanding of 3D modeling and navigation within Substance Painter and Unreal Engine, which may be a barrier for absolute beginners

Uses Unreal Engine 5, which is cutting-edge and gives learners an edge in understanding innovation and groundbreaking topics in game development

Teaches how to create professional-quality renders and animations, which are perfect for building a portfolio or professional presentation

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 Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass with these activities:

Review UDIM Workflows

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Practice UDIM workflows to ensure a smooth start when importing assets into Substance Painter.

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Find a simple 3D model.
Unwrap the model's UVs and assign UDIM tiles.
Export the model and verify UDIM setup in a 3D viewer.

Read 'Practical PBR'

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Study PBR principles to better understand how materials behave in Substance Painter and Unreal Engine 5.

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Obtain a copy of 'Practical PBR'.
Read the chapters on material properties and texture creation.
Experiment with PBR settings in Substance Painter.

Texture Baking Practice

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Practice baking texture maps to improve the quality of your stylized assets in Substance Painter.

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Find a high-poly and low-poly model pair.
Bake various maps (normal, AO, curvature) in Substance Painter.
Iterate on baking settings for optimal results.

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Create a Stylized Material Library

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Develop a library of stylized materials in Substance Painter to accelerate your texturing workflow.

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Choose a theme for your stylized materials.
Create 5-10 unique materials in Substance Painter.
Document the creation process for each material.

Read 'Unreal Engine 5 Character Creation'

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Study character creation principles to better understand how characters behave in Unreal Engine 5.

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Obtain a copy of 'Unreal Engine 5 Character Creation, Animation, and Cinematics'.
Read the chapters on character properties and character creation.
Experiment with character settings in Unreal Engine 5.

Follow Advanced UE5 Lighting Tutorials

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Explore advanced lighting techniques in Unreal Engine 5 to enhance the visual quality of your environments.

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Search for tutorials on Lumen and Nanite.
Implement the techniques in your Unreal Engine 5 project.
Experiment with different lighting scenarios.

Portfolio-Ready Scene

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Create a portfolio-ready scene showcasing your texturing and environment creation skills.

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Plan the scene and gather necessary assets.
Texture the assets in Substance Painter.
Assemble the scene in Unreal Engine 5.
Optimize lighting and post-processing.
Create high-quality renders and videos.

Career center

Learners who complete Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Texture Artist

A Texture Artist is responsible for creating the surface details of 3D models, bringing them to life with color, material, and finish. This course is directly relevant because it provides an in depth look at advanced texturing techniques using Substance Painter, a widely used tool in the industry. The course covers essential skills such as creating layers, masks, filters, and smart materials, all crucial for a texture artist. By learning to create diverse stylized textures for wood, metal, glass, and more, one can build a strong foundation for this career. Additionally, the course teaches the crucial skill of exporting textures for game engine use, further increasing its relevance for this career path.

See salaries and explore the career path for Texture Artist

Environment Artist

An Environment Artist focuses on building immersive and believable virtual locations for games, films, and other media. This course helps those who want to be Environment Artists by teaching them to use Unreal Engine 5 to construct and optimize game environments. They will learn to import and apply textures, add foliage, and use lighting and post-processing techniques, all covered in the course. By understanding how to use these tools for scene creation, and how to integrate animations, particle effects, and audio environments, learners gain the skills necessary for this role. The course also covers cinematic presentation, crucial for showcasing environmental work.

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3D Artist

A 3D Artist creates three dimensional models and environments for various projects. This masterclass provides a comprehensive suite of skills including texturing in Substance Painter and environment creation in Unreal Engine 5 that are highly relevant to a 3D Artist. The course covers the full pipeline of texturing, using layers and masks, creating smart materials, and setting up scenes. The course also provides opportunities to learn to animate objects and add visual effects. In addition, rendering and cinematic presentation provide insights into how to showcase 3D work in a professional way, a skill highly useful for any 3D artist.

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Game Artist

A Game Artist produces the visual assets for video games. This course provides a strong foundation for those who wish to become Game Artists. It offers comprehensive training in using Substance Painter to create and export textures, which is essential for many game art workflows. Furthermore, this course covers how to import those textures into Unreal Engine 5, and how to use them to create game environments. It goes through various modules on integrating assets, animation, particle effects, and audio integration. All of these are valuable for a successful game artist. The skills taught, especially in the area of stylized art, are directly transferable to a career in game art.

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Prop Artist

A Prop Artist is a 3D artist who creates individual objects in a scene. This course directly develops skills a Prop Artist would use. In particular, it covers texturing with Substance Painter, the creation of stylized smart materials, and how to export those assets for use in a game engine such as Unreal Engine 5. It covers a variety of materials including wood, metal, and glass. Additionally, the course covers how to render and present finished works, which is useful for a Prop Artist when presenting portfolio items. The course will be helpful in creating high quality, visually appealing props used in many forms of visual media.

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Indie Game Developer

An Indie Game Developer often works on many aspects of game development, including environment creation and art. The skills taught in this course directly translate to the needs of an indie game developer. The course goes in depth into environment creation and texturing, which are crucial in creating compelling visual experiences. The course covers the entire process, from creating detailed stylized textures in Substance Painter, to importing those textures into Unreal Engine 5 to create game environments. The indie game developer also learns about animation, particle effects, and audio integration. All of which are core foundations for indie developers to build a compelling game.

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Material Artist

A Material Artist specializes in creating the diverse appearances of surfaces for use in visual mediums. This course may be useful to anyone who wishes to be a Material Artist, as it provides in depth coverage of texturing in Substance Painter, a core tool for any material artist. The course covers the creation of layers, masks, filters, and smart materials. The course touches on how to create a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and glass, a wide base for any Material Artist. Also, it covers exporting those materials for use, which a Material Artist would do for a variety of projects.

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Technical Artist

A Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and technology in game development or visual effects. This course may be useful for an aspiring Technical Artist, as it covers workflows for content creation using Substance Painter and Unreal Engine 5. The course teaches how to optimize environments, integrate assets, and work with particle systems and animation. By understanding how art assets are made, and how they are integrated into a game engine. The course helps technical artists learn how to support and troubleshoot creative workflows. This skillset becomes more valuable with experience, especially if a technical artist also contributes to content creation.

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Lighting Artist

A Lighting Artist is crucial in crafting the mood and atmosphere of a scene using light and color. This course may be helpful for a Lighting Artist seeking to expand their knowledge of real-time lighting techniques. The course delves into the use of lighting, fog, and volumetric effects within Unreal Engine 5 for crafting visually impressive environments. This would enable a lighting artist to work inside engine, not just rely on external tools. Additionally, the course covers post-processing, cinematic presentation, and rendering, all important considerations for a lighting artist working on a visual project.

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Level Designer

A Level Designer creates the layouts and gameplay areas for video games. This course may be useful, as it covers the use of Unreal Engine 5 for environment building. Level designers create layouts, which may include the use of objects and particle effects, covered in this course. The course also goes into lighting, fog, and volumetric effects. These skills help a level designer make a more atmospheric and believable game space. Additionally the course covers audio integration, which is a crucial part of crafting a level design that supports the game's mood and mechanics.

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Visual Effects Artist

A Visual Effects Artist creates imagery for film, television, and games. This course may be helpful for building the skills of a visual effects artist. The course covers how to use Substance Painter for advanced texturing techniques which are important for VFX. It also covers the use of Unreal Engine 5, a tool used by some VFX artists, including how to create particle effects with Niagara. Knowledge of rendering and cinematic presentation, also touched upon in the course, are also useful when contributing to VFX. By understanding how to create stunning environments and effects a VFX artist may use this knowledge to produce compelling visual content.

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Animator

An Animator creates movement and brings characters and objects to life. This course may be useful for an Animator, especially one that works with 3D environments. The course covers setting up animated objects, which includes wind animations for foliage and animating cloth. Within Unreal Engine 5, they could use this knowlege to set up animations in the scene. While the course does not focus on character animation, an animator will benefit from knowing how to animate environmental objects, which are often secondary to characters. Moreover, the course touches on visual effects like particle systems for fire and smoke. This can add appeal to animated objects in the scene.

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Virtual Production Artist

A Virtual Production Artist uses game engine technology to support filmmaking and other live action productions. This course may be helpful for a Virtual Production Artist due to its focus on environment creation in Unreal Engine 5. The course teaches how to bring in assets, integrate textures, and add visual effects. This could be useful for setting up the virtual environments that are used in virtual production. Furthermore, the course touches upon lighting, fog, and volumetrics as well as the creation of cinematographic presentations. These are useful skills for those who want to expand their proficiency in virtual production.

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Motion Graphics Artist

A Motion Graphics Artist creates moving graphics for videos and other media. This course may be useful for a Motion Graphics artist, especially if they wish to expand into 3D. The course covers rendering, cinematic camera movement, and a variety of animation effects. Additionally, the course teaches how to use particle effects to add visual appeal to 3D scenes. Motion Graphics artists are aware that the final product is not possible without the right visual presentation, so the course's focus on rendering and lighting would be useful. Finally, the course covers audio integration, helpful for when audio is a key component of the final product.

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Architectural Visualizer

An Architectural Visualizer creates renderings and animations of architectural designs. This course may be helpful for an Architectural Visualizer, as it covers the creation of 3D environments in Unreal Engine 5. The course covers the key steps needed to build an environment, including importing assets and adding textures. The course's focus on lighting, fog, and volumetrics is helpful for creating realistic renders of architecture. Also, the course covers camera work and post processing, which is useful when creating a photorealistic, cinematic presentation of a design. While the course isn't specifically about architecture, the methods of using the engine can translate to realistic renders of architectural designs.

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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 Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive guide to Physically Based Rendering (PBR), which is essential for creating realistic materials in Substance Painter and Unreal Engine 5. It covers the theory behind PBR and offers practical advice on creating PBR textures. It is particularly useful for understanding the material properties and workflows used in the course. This book valuable resource for achieving high-quality, realistic results.

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Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass

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