This module requires that students combine both modular and organic environment art workflow methodologies to create a piece of environment art based on real world and concept art references.



Students will research and consider the following skills / areas:

Implementing scanned data into Unreal Engine

ZBrush environment sculpting techniques

Tiling material creation with Houdini, Substance Suite & ZBrush

Advanced shader development in Unreal Engine

Lighting and presentation in Unreal Engine using Lumen and Raytracing

Edge and mesh decals

Foliage creation with SpeedTree & Megascans

Assessment Component 1 - (Learning Outcome 1,2 & 3)

Project artefact weighted at 80% consisting of:

You will be given a brief to create a piece of environment art using a mixture of modular and organic workflows based on real world and concept art references. You will be required to demonstrate advanced techniques such as, but not limited to UV set manipulation, texel density alignment, mesh decals and advanced shader development for blending materials together. Finally, you will submit the project artefact as a selection of portfolio shots relating to the final beauty renders, construction images, and material breakdowns.



Assessment Component 2 - (Assessing Learning Outcomes 2, 4)

Development logbook and reflection weighted at 20% consisting of:

You will communicate the creative processes used and critically reflect on the project artefact in the form of a digital academy forum thread.

You and will also critically reflect on your final outcome via a final forum post.¿

1x 3-hour lecture/tutorial

1x 3-hour workshop/development session

1. Demonstrate a systematic approach to the analysis and development pipeline of advanced 3d environment assets and game engine integration

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Research and apply critical reasoning to the selection and use of different environment art workflows in solving an industry brief.

University Learning Outcome

Learning

3. Produce environment art with considerations for atmospherics, lighting, visual style, optimisation, mood and composition.

University Learning Outcome

Application

4. On completion of this module, you will be able to critically reflect and evaluate technical and visual quality of the environment for effectiveness through presentation of the finished artefact.

University Learning Outcome

Reflection

Unreal Engine

Autodesk 3D Modelling Programs

ZBrush

Houdini

Marvellous Designer

SpeedTree

Substance Suite

Wacom Tablets

Digital Academy Forum

Digital Academy Upload System

Freeman, M (2017), The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photographs

Harris, D, (2022), Making Videogames: The Art of Creating Digital Worlds Hardcover

Gurney, J, (2010), Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (Volume 2) (James Gurney Art)

Jones, P, (2022), Game Artist: The Ultimate Career Guide

This module builds on what you have learned from the level 5 environment art pathways, but with more complex techniques to help push your projects to a higher quality. You will create an environment that features both modular and organic elements, and use several advanced techniques such as uv manipulation, rgb masks, triplanar, speedtree, houdini, substance and megascans to support your project’s development.