Uartsy – Environment Art: World Building 101

Info:

What you’ll learn

In this course, students will create a game level from scratch using Render-Ready game engine CryEngine 5. The course will cover 3D modeling, object placement and layout basics, foliage systems, and lighting systems. The course will help students better understand level and environment workflows, as well as how level designers, game designers, and environment artists fit into the game pipeline.

Estimated time for course work: 8-10 hours per week

Skill Level: Intermediate

By the end of the course, you’ll:

Know how to model for 3D Environments and apply a modular approach to scene creation.

Know how to create optimized and realistic vegetation and foliage for outdoor environments.

Have designed your own spectacular materials using the latest software, such as Substance Designer, and the latest procedural techniques.

Have setup and lit your own scene in the newly revamped and render-ready game engine of Cry Engine 5.

This course is perfect for:

Mid-level environment artists looking to take the next steps in their career

Skilled artists who want to focus on building specific skills

Game artists who want to add to their portfolio while receiving feedback along the way

This course is the best way to start or expand a real portfolio while getting started as an environment artist. Working with one of the top working professionals in the game industry, you’ll build your own game level using the latest software in the industry. Don’t know what those are? Don’t worry, your mentor will teach you 1-on-1. You’ll graduate with an enhanced portfolio and an active ArtStation profile.

WEEK 1

Creating Foliage

Techniques to obtain textures

Create materials to use in assets

Create smaller foliage pieces for a scene

WEEK 2

Engine Function

Create a new level

Import assets into the level

Set up materials and textures

WEEK 3

Terrain Materials

Create materials used for terrain, grass, mud, etc.

Use Substance Designer

Use online sourced photos

WEEK 4

Trees

Use SpeedTree to create tree sets

Import trees into the engine

Use Marmoset to create LOD billboards

WEEK 5

Basic Scene

Create the basic scene

Block out the level

Prepare for production

WEEK 6

Foliage & Roads

Continue with foliage

Create a road / Use a road tool in the engine

Difference between static mesh roads and decal roads

WEEK 7

Rivers

Learn about the river tool

Set up river tools and river meshes

Build rivers in the scene

WEEK 8

Rocks & Cliffs

Focus on ZBrush

Create rocks and cliffs

Fine tune and polish the scene