This book is a complete beginner's guide for building dynamic games from scratch with Unreal Engine 5 and exploring some of its cutting-edge features, such as Lumen and Nanite.
Key FeaturesGet up and running with Unreal Engine 5 and explore the tools in the Unreal EditorBuild dynamic game environments with cutting-edge features like Nanite and LumenUse visual scripting via Blueprint to add gameplay elements and UI logicBook DescriptionUnreal Engine 5 is the latest release of Epic Games' game engine, allowing users to create large-scale, dynamic 3D creations easily. This book is a comprehensive introduction for those new to Unreal, which will have you up-to-speed with the fundamentals in no time.
Throughout Unreal Engine 5 for Beginners, this easy-to-follow guide will teach you how to build a sample game from scratch. You'll go from simply installing the software to creating high detail worlds using Nanite, light up the environment with Lumen, and dive into programming to add gameplay elements and UIs. You will also breathe life into your game projects using some of the engine's tools such as the Level Editor, Material Editor, MetaSounds, Particle systems, Blueprints, and Character animations. Finally, you will debug your game, create backups, and use GitHub for version control. Not only will you understand these concepts on a practical level, but you will also understand some of the underlying theories behind them too.
By the end of the book, you will have a comprehensive understanding of all the basic features of the engine to create simple games from start to end, and it will be a good jumping-off point to exploring more complex Unreal Engine 5 topics.
What you will learnFamiliarize yourself with the new Unreal 5 EditorLearn how to integrate megascan assets into your game environmentsCreate high detail game environments with geometry and materialsUse new features like Nanite and Lumen to improve game environmentsAdd gameplay functionality through basic visual scripting (Blueprints)Learn how to debug your code to find errorsDiscover the Unreal Engine Marketplace for obtaining assetsLearn best practices such as project organization and source controlWho this book is forThis book is aimed at aspiring game developers with limited experience using Unreal Engine, who are either new to game development or come from other platforms and are interested in learning Unreal Engine 5.This book will benefit those interested in game creation, plus those familiar with 3D modelling software, scripting, graphic design, or sound creation. No specific knowledge is required, since all the core skills taught in this book will be built up from scratch.
Table of ContentsInstalling Unreal Engine 5 and creating a New ProjectGetting Up and Running with the Unreal Navigation and Selection ModesGetting Up and Running with the Unreal Details Panel, Viewport Perspectives, Content Browser and World OutlinerUsing the Landscape Creating a Level and Introducing Sculpt ModeUsing the Landscape Landscape Painting with Quixel MegascansUsing Foliage Mode Adding some Life into our EnvironmentPlanning, Blocking Out, and Playing in EditorDetailing the Blockout with an Introduction to NaniteLighting the Level with Lumen<