WORLD OF LEVEL DESIGNER INSIDER ISSUE #06

Welcome “WoLD Insider” Newsletter Issue #6.

Published Date: June 2018

It has been a while since the last issue. But I am back on it!

Every single "WoLD Insider" newsletter features level design and game environment art
advice, tips, ideas, inspiration, links, resources and updates about World of Level
Design. "WoLD Insider" is EXCLUSIVE to you as WoLD subscriber.

Following Issue #6 of “WoLD Insider” contains:

• How to Create Custom Static Meshes for UE4 Tutorial Series

• 4 NEW WoLD Tutorials
• 2D Games With Level Editors to Practice Level Design In
• 5 Ideas for Game Environments or Level Designs
• 4 Color Correction Tests for “Abandoned House Project”
• I Have a Thing for Modern Architecture...
• Amazing Tip for Collecting Ideas
• What is the Purpose of Prototyping?
• When In Doubt - Sketch Things Out
• UE4 Color Grading Test - Which One? Blue or Green?
• Useful UE4 Tips and Resources
• 25 Amazon Reviews for “Preproduction Blueprint” Book - Are They All Positive?
• My #GameStruck4 Games
• Get the Edge: 5 Insider Resource Links for More Level Design and Game
Environment Knowledge
• Why is WoLD on Instagram?

VIEW THIS NEWSLETTER ONLINE AS A POST

In addition to the PDF version, you can view this issue of “WoLD Insider” newsletter as
Online Post:

View “WoLD Insider” Newsletter Issue #6 as Online Post...

Let’s get started.

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[PREMIUM TUTORIAL] How to Create Custom Static Meshes for
UE4 in 6 Easy Hours...

UE4: Custom Static Mesh Formula - video tutorial series features the entire pipeline
for how to take your custom Static Meshes from Maya LT™/Maya®, export them and
import them into Unreal® Engine 4 - covering all the steps, problems and solutions
along the way that you will encounter during the process.

Full Tutorial Series: How to Create Custom Static Meshes for UE4...

“Exclusive Insider” Discount Code to Receive Extra $10 Off:

• Use this discount code in the shopping cart at checkout: InsiderFormula

LATEST WOLD TUTORIALS RELEASED

4 New Tutorials:

• UE4: Make Water Material in "Starter Content" Work Without Stretching or

Distortions
• UE4: Night Time Lighting - Starry Sky (Static/Baked Lighting) Part 1/2
• UE4: Night Time Lighting - Moon Sky (Static/Baked Lighting) Part 2/2
• 11 Secrets for Level Design and Game Environment Ideas, Layouts and
Reference with "Google Maps 3D"

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UE4: Make Water Material in "Starter Content" Work Without Stretching or
Distortions

UE4 "Starter Content" has 2 water materials - ocean and lake. These two materials are
great to use in your environments and to study how water is created - ocean and lake.
But there is a problem with these materials. If you apply ocean or lake water material
onto any large Static Mesh plane, the texture will be stretched out, distorted and
unusable. Here is what to do and how to fix it.

Continue to the Full Tutorial...

UE4: Night Time Lighting - Starry Sky (Static/Baked Lighting) Part 1/2

How to light night time outdoor scene with a "starry" sky in Unreal Engine 4?

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There are 2 major obstacles with lighting night time scenes (or daytime scenes).

First is artistic. You have to understand color theory and how lighting works to
communicate proper feel, mood, and atmosphere of the environment.

Second is technical. You have to know which actors to use, which properties to change
and in what order. You also have to have the content to light the scene with, such as
sky Static Mesh and sky material.

In this first tutorial of two you will learn how to light a night time scene for starry sky.
No custom content is required and you can do this with default installation of UE4.

Continue to the Full Tutorial...

UE4: Night Time Lighting - Moon Sky (Static/Baked Lighting) Part 2/2

How to light night time outdoor scene with a "moon" sky in Unreal Engine 4?

What if you want to have more atmosphere filled environment with moon lighting
instead of a starry sky?

In this second tutorial we focus on how to have a moon in the sky lighting our scene
and all the steps that it takes to get there. No custom content is required and you can
do this with default installation of UE4.

Continue to the Full Tutorial...

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11 Secrets for Level Design and Game Environment Ideas, Layouts and
Reference with "Google Maps 3D"

I spent half a working day looking at 3d maps. If you saw me during this time, you
would yell "AG! Stop playing and get back to work!" But, I was actually working. I was
searching for locations, collecting reference and getting ideas for top-down layouts.

Once I started using "Google Maps 3D View" option I couldn't stop. I would get lost in a
neighborhood after neighborhood discovering interesting locations and collecting real-
world reference. When I thought I was done, I would see another street corner,
another building, another layout and I had to explore it further. So here are 11 secrets I
found using "Google Maps 3D View" to get more ideas, top-down layouts, research and
reference for your next level design and game environment art project.

Continue to the Full Tutorial...

2D GAMES WITH LEVEL EDITORS

Which 2D games you know & recommend (old or new) that come with a level
editor anyone can download & create maps with? (View This Tweet...)

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Here is the list:

• Superfighters Deluxe
• Stickfight The Game
• Blocks That Matter
• CS2D
• Battleblock Theater
• The Sandbox Game
• Jetpack
• Elasto Mania
• Hammerwatch
• Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour
• Hotline Maimi
• Broforce

“Superfighters Deluxe, Stickfight The Game, Blocks that Matter, CS2D, and Battleblock
Theater all have editors!” - Joshua G. @AnonFriction

“@TheSandboxGame I worked as a professional Level Designer for them, and the editor
we used was the same that the players got later on.” - Tozy @t0zy

“Jetpack” - scar3crow @scar3crowdotcom

“Elastomania” - Jehar @Jehar

“Elastomania, shyte, all the memories One super easy to use is Hammerwatch editor.” -
Jeff G. @JFGnorD

“Serious Sam's Bogus Detour, too!” - Nimble @codecatt

“Hotline Miami” - Simon S. @ScalesSimon

“Broforce have a level editor, but I think that you need to buy the game to have
access.” - Serventesio B. @ServenBurns

5 IDEAS FOR GAME ENVIRONMENTS OR LEVEL DESIGNS

In this issue I have 2 image references you can use and 3 ideas I found to be
inspirational from Twitter.

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Interior Warehouse/Store Door

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Interior Parking Garage

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Few More Ideas from Twitter:

Link: twitter.com/archillect/status/953011429291982848

Link: twitter.com/BelgianBoolean/status/960952008630046721

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 Link: twitter.com/sylvainsarrailh/status/965567718287200256

COLOR CORRECTION TESTS FOR “ABANDONED HOUSE PROJECT”

Color Correction tests I did while working on "CS:GO Abandoned House Project" with
Source Engine.

Watch this Video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDhT5cvxC1E

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Extensive 5-part workflow tutorial series on "Abandoned House" environment. Follow
along from the very beginning of an idea to BSP block-in, texturing, detailing,
displacement/terrain, foliage, beyond the house, skybox, lighting, color correction and
final compile - The Complete "Abandoned House" Workflow Tutorial Series in Hammer
Source (All 5 Tutorials)...

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When working with color it is handy to have one of these color wheels nearby:

I also often use online color picker: color.adobe.com

Color is very important and should be used with purpose.

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“Color evokes emotion in visual storytelling. An audience makes a subconscious
judgment about a scene in a movie, environment or product within 90 seconds of initial
viewing. 62%-90% of that judgment is based on color alone.” - Matthew L

Link: twitter.com/MatthewLuhn/status/953308708733251584

I HAVE A THING FOR MODERN ARCHITECTURE...

I love modern architecture. There is something about simplicity of shapes and play of
light/shadow. Over last few years I’ve created a few environments with modern
architecture influence. All were created with Source Engine.

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AMAZING TIP FOR COLLECTING IDEAS: IDEAS IN ONE IMAGE

I have a folder called "Ideas in One Image" where I collect random images I find
throughout the year as I work on various projects.

All these images were found during moment of inspiration "Oh, that's cool!" while
working on something else.

Many of these image ideas do not become projects but keeping this image library going
always keeps me inspired for potential projects.

Always something I want to create.

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PROTOTYPING?

Purpose of prototyping is to get something going quickly (something to playtest),

without spending unnecessary time creating custom content when you don't need to. If
you like how the prototype looks, then you can spend time creating custom content
later.

WHEN IN DOUBT - SKETCH THINGS OUT

Whenever I am having figuring something out, whether it is an object to model or map

layout to do, I grab paper and pen and begin to sketch things out.

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“In the research stage of your project, look at more than what is generally required.
Expand your search into other fields, reading and absorbing any related information.” -
Robert Greene “Mastery” book.

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UE4 COLOR GRADING TEST

I asked “Which one Blue or Green?”

Link: twitter.com/GameLevelDesign/status/954476827778732038

Here is some wisdom from Helder @[HP]:

• “Having worked with multiple art directors, green is very rarely a good color to
use. Its a very toxic and radioactive color, plus blue marries a lot better with
warmer colors like yellow and orange. If you do go with green, red becomes
your friend if you go the complimentary route.”
• “Using color to evoke an emotion is always a smart thing to do. Pixar for
example, mastered this, where the colors in the frame always match the plot
beats.”

UE4 TIPS AND RESOURCES

Constant1Vector vs Scalar Parameter Nodes

“Scalar Parameter” node is the same node as a “Constant” node that has been
converted to parameter.

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Watch this Video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiv1Ajut2jw

Importing Color Lookup Table

When importing LUTs for UE4, set “Texture Group: ColorLookupTable” and make sure
“Mip Gen Settings” are set to “NoMipmaps”

Fixing Dark Gradient on Each Side of the Screen on Water

If you see dark gradient on each side of the screen on your water, insert a Sky Light
and make sure it is set to “Stationary”.

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Watch this Video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq579INzqV4

UE4 Soul Cave and City Assets

UE4 Soul Cave and City assets were released for free. 500+ Static Meshes!

Link: www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/soul-city

Link: www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/soul-cave

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25 REVIEWS FOR PREPRODUCTION BLUEPRINT

Summer time is a great time to dive into Preproduction Blueprint as it continues to

climb the paperback and Kindle charts.

25 reviews at 5 stars!

Pick up the book here...

Link: twitter.com/MrDaruth/status/964161818167046145

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MY #GAMESTRUCK4 GAMES

#GameStruck4 was a hashtag trending on Twitter where you pick 4 games that
influenced you the most.

Just 4? It was hard to pick just 4 but here were mine:

Counter-Strike:

Max Payne:

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Grand Theft Auto III:

Left 4 Dead 2:

GET THE EDGE: 5 RESOURCE LINKS FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE

Ten Principles for Good Level Design

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNEe3KhMvXM

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In-Game and Cinematic Lighting of The Last of Us
www.gdcvault.com/play/1020475/In-Game-and-Cinematic-Lighting

Level Design in Max Payne: Roscoe Street Station

www.mapcore.org/articles/development/level-design-in-max-payne-roscoe-street-
station-r101/

Overwatch HQ: Creating A Game Level for Portfolio

80.lv/articles/overwatch-hq-creating-a-game-level-for-portfolio/

Thinking Globally: Building the Optimistic Future of Overwatch

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj56ejM5EcU

WOLD IS NOW ON INSTAGRAM

I finally joined, so WoLD is now on Instagram.

Follow for unique content if you are on there. 80% game environment art and level
design 20% behind the scenes. 100% WoLD!

WoLD Instagram: www.instagram.com/worldofleveldesign/

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Screenshot Reference:

"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive", "Half-Life 2: Lost Coast", "Left4Dead 2", Source™,

Source 2™, ©Valve Software. All rights reserved.

"Max Payne" ©Rockstar Games. Dev: Remedy Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Grand Theft Auto III, ©Rockstar Games. All rights reserved.

Unreal® Engine 4 ©Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Disclaimers, Trademarks and Notices

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