UDK Map Progress

Today I have managed to get more of a feel in my level by adding more materials and creating alot more assets and using other peoples assets from the shared drive.



Some of the new things added into my UDK level are as follows -

• A tree in the centre of the level to pull the level together a bit better and to also use for some nice shading in the level.



• Materials on the walls so that the player is aware that they are playing on top of a rooftop.



• New materials on the outer walls to create borders to the level.



• Included more assets such as flower beds and hollow tree trunks.



• Included more foliage into the level.

From my schedule I have made sure to complete a corner of the level to set the mood I want to consist throughout the entire map. The schedule says that I need this to be done by the 18th March however I only managed to complete it now due to making more assets for my level. This isn't a problem as it was quick and easy to complete anyway due to just having to insert the assets to the level.

Next week I will begin to add some lighting into the level aswell as some particle systems whilst adding in more assets to fill the level and to help gain more of an atmosphere/feel.

UDK Progress

Today I have continued the creation of assets in Maya and then importing them using ActorX Plug-in for use in UDK. In specific, I have mnanaged to create my own Greenhouse, I needed to create this specifically for me as it needed to fit around a part of my level.

In addition, I have begun to create the theme I am aiming for by adding the custom models I had imported and also adding other things such as materials a sky dome and some static meshes built into UDK. I have placed the Rocky Stream I created last week into UDK and used some of UDK static mesh water features to add the effect of water running over it.

The project schedule says that I should be continuing to create assets for my level and creating/adding textures to the models, I have continued and stuck by the schedule. Next week I will be creating more assets to my level and play testing a few times to test that the game plays nicely.

Here is a screenshot showing the progress of my level.

Assets

I have started to create assets for my level by gathering wanted textures and getting them prepared for the import to UDK. In my project schedule it is said that I start the creation of my levels assets from the 4th February to the 1st April. I have managed to start creating a little earlier due to finishing the pre-production of my level before the completion date.

I have started by creating simple assets that will create the theme for my level. I have created a rocky stream, plant pot and a wooden plank with roots around. I feel that these features will help capture the theme of my level.

Some of the techniques used in my models are...

• Bump Mapping - I have added bump mapped textures to my models to add more detail to the model and to suite the look and feel of UDK. I have done this by creating normal maps for all the textures I have used.


• Specular Maps - I have also added specular maps to my models to add just the slight amount more detail, this is to ensure the end quality of my level is high.

I use Autodesk Maya for all of the models that I have created and use PhotoShop for the texturing. I sometimes use CGTextures in case I need a quick generic texture for my models. Once textured and created to my liking I then use ActorX to export my model from Maya format to UDK format. When inside UDK I import the model and the textures and create a new material linking diffuse and normal to create my detail.

I have created some UDK packages, one which is man made assets and others which are natural assets in my level. So far in natural I have made, a tree stump, vines and flowers. For the man made section of my level I have created bars for the fences around my level and a greenhouse in which players use for safe havens.

I am creating the assets now due to having set the deadline in my schedule for the 1st April, I am hoping to finish them all before that date however.