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Blog02 - Underwater Scene (Part A - Research/Planning)

The underwater scene will need to look alien-like to get the message across to the player that the ocean that they’re on the bottom of isn’t Earth’s. However, the bottom of the Earth’s ocean already looks alien-like as it is, so the alien world’s ocean will have to look pretty bizarre so that there’s a clear enough difference. In order to create the underwater scene, I needed to get some inspiration on how to do the water effects through looking up tutorials on how others have gone about it.

Unfortunately, most of what I’ve seen so far in regards to water effects isn’t relevant to our current project. There are tutorials on how to create the surface of the water, but the scouting ship is at the bottom of the ocean, so the player would never see it.

Figure.1 (HRGN-Water-Surface-Tut-ScrSh-01-1.jpg, 2017).

Figure.2 (HRGN-Water-Surface-Tut-ScrSh-02-1.jpg, 2017).

There was also a tutorial on how to use ‘Post Process Volume’ in Unreal to create the tinge of the water needed for when the player is under the water, but this wouldn’t work for what we’re doing as you have to be in the ‘Post Process Volume’ cube to see it. The control room itself would have to be in the cube so that the player could see the water, which would mean the room itself would have that tinge too and seem to be filled with water (when it’s actually suppose to have its own little pocket of air inside).

Figure.2 (HRGN-Water-Volume-Tut-ScrSh-01-2.jpg, 2017).

Figure.3 (HRGN-Water-Volume-Tut-ScrSh-02-2.jpg, 2017).

While watching some more tutorials, I was lead to a tutorial on sculpting a terrain in Unreal Engine and decided that I’d create a terrain for the seabed and work off of that. My only concern is whether or not the terrain would be too big to be worthwhile keeping. (I will write a small blog on creating and sculpting a terrain later).

I took a break from tutorials and thought about it for a bit. A little while later I had a few ideas (some of which I haven’t tried out yet):

1. I could add a plane close around the window with a transparent ‘tinge of the water’ material, change the colour of the world’s light source to the same colour and delete the sky sphere. (I have done this already, and there’s also a basic glass material for the window. This is just a test, so I’m currently not using the actual window and ramp model. I will be updating this later).

Figure.4 (HRGN-Underwater-Window_v1.jpg, 2017).

2. I could also try creating a basic plane above the terrain - where the surface of the water would be - and add a bright light above the plane, so I could use it like a sieve in order to create the streaks of light through the water. The plane could have an opacity map on it, which would control how much light gets through, where, and at what intensity. (I might even be able to add a colour map on the plane if I wanted the light streaks to be different colours, &/or animate it so the light streaks change in intensity?)

3. Then I could use ideas I saw in tutorials: I could then add smoke effects so the water looks murky, add planes around the terrain with a texture on them to give the illusion that the ocean scene is bigger than it really is (that the ocean continues on into the distance), and possibly add bubbles with a particle system and a basic image of a bubble (with a transparent background).

Figure.5 (HRGN-Water-Bubbles-Tut-ScrSh-01-1.jpg, 2017).

I don’t know how I’m going to get the distorted effect of the water moving, so I’ll look into this a little more after I try out the ideas listed above. (I’m also wondering whether the light streaks would normally be changing in intensity - but that’s probably an extra I won’t have time to look into anyway).

I had asked the lecturer during class about the glass material as the refraction is behaving in a strange way. He said to look into ‘Sphere Reflection Capture’.

References

GameDev1909 (2015, Oct 4) [YouTube Video]. Water volume and Effects Tutorial Unreal Engine 4. Retrieved June 19, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5BDGahdEA

HRGN-Underwater-Window_v1.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Norman, H. Perth, Australia: AMPTHK.

HRGN-Water-Bubbles-Tut-ScrSh-01-1.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Retrieved July 5, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5UKw_Crlr4

HRGN-Water-Surface-Tut-ScrSh-01-1.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Retrieved July 5, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPmRV1Z9ikY

HRGN-Water-Surface-Tut-ScrSh-02-1.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Retrieved July 5, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPmRV1Z9ikY

HRGN-Water-Volume-Tut-ScrSh-01-2.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Retrieved July 5, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5BDGahdEA

HRGN-Water-Volume-Tut-ScrSh-02-2.jpg [Screenshot] (2017). Retrieved July 5, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5BDGahdEA

Ponik, L. (2015, Dec 6) [YouTube Video]. Unreal Engine 4 How To Create Underwater Effects (Part 1 of 4). Retrieved June 19, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jbK00s2tKg

Pub Games (2014, March 27) [YouTube Video]. UE4 - Interior Water #1. Retrieved June 19, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPmRV1Z9ikY

Taylor, M. (2016, July 16) [YouTube Video]. Unreal Engine 4 Water Volume With Bubbles Walk Through. Retrieved June 19, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5UKw_Crlr4

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#ani210 #unreal engine 4 #underwater scene #water effects #glass material

ANI210 Blog 4

Showcase was on, we set up one computer to play the game in one of the computer labs. We had a small set back with the game as none of the computers could connect to the internet, complicating things, but we managed to get it working for others to play. We did get our music and sound at the last minute, a day before the showcase to be exact, but they were placed in the game just in time.

I wasn’t too sure how many played through our game, but I know it was a few. Apparently according to Jake who was set at the computer for the whole night, the game had good reviews and about two people noticed the memes that our teammates had decided to add in there. At some point a little girl wanted to play, but Jake didn’t let her and her father soon took her with him out of them room, despite being no jump scares or enemies, just a walking game, there was enough sound ques and scary themes so it was best that she didn’t play it.

We did have a few problems, some people would get confused on what to do next, missing sound ques and missing the only open path to them to get out. The cell doors in the cell hall was missing its texture, so we had to use a material in replacement, but it messed with the lighting on them, but there was little we could do. There was also some models that were textured and was to be added, yet was not added, but it was just small things so it wasn’t a huge problem. We had a sound issue with the steps, not sounding like normal steps, like the player were wearing thongs/flip flops, of course we didn’t have any time to change it so it stayed like that.

In the end we managed to finish this seven week project and in at the end of it all, I’m happy with what we made.

#ANI210 #Environment making

ANI210 Blog 3

Finishing up on the game, we have successfully made all of our models and textured most of them and all of the environmental textures, at this point we’re just adding in extra things that we want to put in, unfortunately that means some of my teammates decided to add in some memes. Its fine, they’re not that noticeable, although they might ruin the horror feel if anyone test sees them. But the team leader seems fine with it…at least I think he does.

Although we have run into a problem, a few weeks ago we had showcased our ideas to a class of audio students and we actually got a few willing to work with us. Yet they have no replied to any of our messages nor sent us the sound or music we need for the game. At this point our team leader is getting backup sounds and music to use in case they still don’t come though.

#ANI210 #Environment making

ANI210 Blog 2

We were asked to do a test of some sort, although it was more like filling in questions on how we think we act during our production. So more like a self-reflection. We were asked simple things, like our ability to solve problems, how we hand stress, etc. Ì tried answering as close as I could to the questions, although my lecture argued I viewed myself lower than I thought. Example being that I said that I needed some slight improvement when it came to how I work under pressure, but my lecture said that I seemed to work just fine under pressure at the moment of the self-reflection, so it would be at successful application.

The reflection helped a lot on how I viewed myself, since I’ve never seen much good in my actions during these group assignment, which is always a roller coaster ride regardless of who you work with.

#ANI210 #Environment making

ANI210 Blog 1

In this assignment for this tri, we were asked to make a walking simulator of some type. We first of course were placed in to teams, only two this time with about six members or more in each team. Followed by that was picked what we would make, we had a couple of ideas thrown around, the two most suggested was a walking sim placed on a ship, mixing between sea ship and space ship, and an insane asylum based in the old ages of lobotomy and poor medical care for these patients.

We soon went with the Asylum to avoid making a sea and copying the other team. Naturally with our asylum idea, we went with a horror/thriller theme, making it abandoned and dark. I was place on the texturing and concept team where I drew up a number of ideas for the place. Soon enough we had a project in the making.

#ANI210 #Environment making

Blog05 - Coping Under Pressure

I found an article on a website called MindTools.com (n.d.a) that describes where pressure can come from, how to measure how much pressure is too much, and how to manage it:

Pressure can ‘energise and motivate you to perform and achieve’ (MindTools.com, n.d.a), but too much of it can also work against you. It’s about getting a healthy balance.

Where:

There are two types of pressure: internal pressure and external pressure: Internal pressure may be one pushing themselves too hard, &/or wanting to meet the expectations of themselves or others. The negative side of internal pressure is that it can lead to a person questioning their abilities. External pressure, on the other hand, comes from the people around them or the situation they’re in. It can also come from other aspects of their life and seep into their work life. The pressures one may have in their everyday life can greatly affect them and how they behave.

Symptoms:

If one is experiencing too much pressure, it will first show up as mild dissatisfaction and a deterioration of the quality of work that they do. When it becomes excessive, they will become stressed, anxious and unhappy. If this excessive pressure continues, they may ‘burn out’ and become physically &/or mentally ill.

[Pressure = may still feel in control/calm (can be positive), Stress = out of control (negative)].

Figure.1 (big-field-of-sunflowers.png, n.d.).

Managing Pressure:

A Sensible Lifestyle (Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water & get plenty of sleep = increases energy)

Remind yourself that you’re responsible for your own success & are capable of making a difference

Influencers of Pressure/Stress (MindTool.com, n.d.d):

> Skill Level - Can I do it? How familiar am I with the task? (People can’t think as well under pressure, so they often fall back on well-rehearsed responses)

> Personality - Am I an introvert or extrovert? (Introvert = better with less pressure, extrovert = thrives on high-pressure)

> Trait Anxiety - What is my current level of ‘self-talk’? (Negative self-talk can distract a person from focusing on what’s at hand)

> Task Complexity - What level of attention & effort is required? (Simple = easier to cope, harder = could do a better job in a calmer situation)

-- Practice a skill in advance = less stressful & will be able to do it quicker

-- Keep in positive mindset = less distractions

Manage your emotions/responses with a positive mindset

Control scope, priorities your work, be organised

Focus on appreciating your strengths to boost self-belief

Further develop your emotional intelligence to lessen unnecessary conflict (MindTools.com, n.d.b).

Try physical relaxation techniques to calm yourself (MindTools.com, n.d.c).

Ask for help if needed

References

big-field-of-sunflowers.png [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: http://www.earthporm.com/4-mile-stretch-of-sunflowers/

MindTools.com (n.d.a). Coping Under Pressure: Survive and Thrive Under Pressure. MindTools.com. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/coping-under-pressure.htm

MindTools.com (n.d.b). Emotional Intelligence. MindTools.com. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_59.htm

MindTools.com (n.d.c). Physical Relaxation Techniques. MindTools.com. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_05.htm

MindTools.com (n.d.d). The Inverted-U Model. MindTools.com. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/inverted-u.htm

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#ani210 #coping with pressure #stress

Blog04 - Reflection on Transferable Skills Meeting

In Week 7, we each had a one-on-one transferable skills meeting with the lecturer. We were asked to write up a self-assessment in advance for the meeting and then he’d give his assessment of our progress so far. ‘Transferable Skills’ are skills that can be transferred from one situation to another (Trinity College Dublin, n.d.). In this situation, the soft skills required during group or individual creative projects.

Here is a list of the transferable skills we were asked to reflect on:

Strong Work Ethic

Positive Attitude

Effective Communication Skills

Time Management Skills

Problem Solving Skills

Acting as a Team Player

Self Confidence

Ability to Accept & Learn from Criticism

Flexibility/Adaptability

Working Well Under Pressure

I wrote up in my self-assessment that I thought there was room for improvement when it came to time management skills and that I feel I could have acted on a more positive attitude earlier in the piece. Other than those two, I classified myself as successful in all other areas.

The lecturer agreed that I was successful in most areas and that my time management skills needed to be worked on. He also said that I need to work on my ability to work well under pressure and that he thought I was successful when it came to a positive attitude. In order to improve the areas that I’m already successful in, he says:

‘Broaden your horizons’ (work ethic) - be involved in something that I usually wouldn’t be

Work on the timing of communication and clarify more regularly

I should take more regular breaks between work sessions

I should push for more feedback from others

So, overall, I was successful, however there are still some things to work out. I’ve decided to do a little research into how to cope well under pressure and how to improve my day-to-day time management skills, as I feel these are the most important for me to work on.

References

Trinity College Dublin (n.d.). Transferable_Skills_Flyer.pdf. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from: https://www.tcd.ie/Careers/downloads/Transferable_Skiills_flyer.pdf

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#ani210 #transferable skills #self-improvement

Blog03 - Creating a Terrain - Basics (UE4)

Creating and sculpting a terrain in Unreal Engine is quite easy to do. It can be done by clicking on the icon with the image of mountains in the ‘Modes’ panel. It will automatically bring up the ‘Manage’ tab if a terrain hasn’t been created before (The other two tabs being: ‘Sculpt’ and ‘Paint’).

Here are the main options when creating a new terrain:

The material for the terrain can be chosen

The size of the terrain can be altered via ‘Scale’

The ‘Section Scale’ can be used to determine the number of polygons the terrain has (More polys = more detail in sculpt)

(There is also the capability to alter the resolution of the terrain).

After looking through the options, click ‘Create’. The terrain will have lines across it at first, but this is just lighting problem and can be fixed via clicking on the arrow next to ‘Build’, and hitting ‘Build Lighting Only’ (It would need to be done again after the terrain has been sculpted on, so leave it to the end).

When sculpting, click and drag to pull the terrain out, and hold ‘Shift’ while clicking and dragging to push into the terrain. The sculpting tool can be changed under ‘Landscape Editor’ (the first button), and the size of the brush and the falloff can be changed via the ‘Brush Settings’. The first tool: ‘Sculpt’ is the default tool for sculpting, the ‘Smooth’ tool does what it says it does and the ‘Flatten’ tool takes the height of where you first drag and makes the terrain around it the same height. (There are other sculpting tools, but I’m only mentioning the basic ones in this blog).

References

I got most of this information from this tutorial:

Virtus Learning Hub / Creative Tutorials (2015, June 14) [YouTube Video]. Landscape Editing Basics - #15 Unreal Engine 4 Beginner Tutorial Series. Retrieved June 19, 2017, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTAVY8qtGbg

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#ani210 #unreal engine 4 #create terrain