Final Outcomes
Each week, I’ve encountered fresh challenges with this term, making it a dynamic learning journey. Reflecting on my work, I realize how enriching this experience with Unreal Engine has been, despite the initial overwhelm. Although I still find it a bit intimidating, I believe that spending more time with it will gradually unveil its intricacies.
My introduction to Unreal Engine involved grappling with the complexities of levels and sub-levels, which proved challenging at first. However, delving into tutorials significantly improved my comprehension, offering me a better grasp of its functionality. The materials class in Unreal was particularly enjoyable, and I’ve had a great time implementing those learnings into our final project.
While I faced some disappointment due to time constraints preventing me from modelling, rigging, and animating a character for our game, I remain optimistic. The prospect of refining and showcasing our project in the final end-of-year showreel excites me. I see immense potential in this piece, and envisioning its growth into a more expansive project in the future.
Animating has never been my favorite activity, but this unit has been a delightful surprise. I was genuinely amazed at how animation can be both easy and enjoyable when you break it down and simplify the process. Although I had limited exposure to Maya, having used it briefly in a BA project before switching to Blender, this unit has provided me with valuable insights.
The key takeaway has been learning how to deconstruct significant movements by isolating and breaking them down into manageable parts. I’m pleased to share that I now feel much more at ease working with rigs than I did at the beginning of the unit. I dedicated time to practicing animating substantial movements, and I’m eager to continue honing this skill in between classes.
Initially, my focus was on creating assets or enhancing them through activities like texturing and lighting. However, as the unit progressed, my perspective evolved. Now, I find myself looking forward to incorporating character animation into a piece for my final major project (fmp). It’s a shift that reflects my growing confidence and enthusiasm for animation.