Getting and Getting with the Program (UE3).
polycounter lvl 17
I have been looking, and I think I might be out of luck.
Let me specify: I am -not- asking where I can find a pirated copy of anything.
I don't think my computer would even Run Unreal Tournament 3.
P4 2.53Ghz, 1GB Ram, Nvidia GEForce FX 5200.
All this and we come down to the meat of why I am asking anything here.
Seems all the rage nowadays, if you want to be considered hireable and competent is to be able to model your environments in Max/Maya and then import them into UE3.
Where do I get the editor? -Is- there a free/demo version (not pirating). There was I game I heard of RoboBlitz (something like that) -it- has it right?
I don't have a lot of money to spend.
Also, there is this new DVD out by Eat 3D, modeling and texturing a Pillar.,,,
I am not asking if you know of where to -get- it, but do you know of any good tutorials out there that are similar. Again, I don't have the 60.00 to spend on it. I did justify buying Crazybump.
Lastly, say I -do- get UE3; do you know of any good tutorials online that talk about getting your assets in, and what maps and channels and settings to use ect... Something basic(ish) not -as- in depth as the Pillar DVD; not showing me how to model, but how to get stuff in.
I am sorry that I -have- been living under a log, and am especially ignorant in this matter. I am a fast learner and eager to eat up anything you can throw my way.
Thank you,
-Andrew
Let me specify: I am -not- asking where I can find a pirated copy of anything.
I don't think my computer would even Run Unreal Tournament 3.
P4 2.53Ghz, 1GB Ram, Nvidia GEForce FX 5200.
All this and we come down to the meat of why I am asking anything here.
Seems all the rage nowadays, if you want to be considered hireable and competent is to be able to model your environments in Max/Maya and then import them into UE3.
Where do I get the editor? -Is- there a free/demo version (not pirating). There was I game I heard of RoboBlitz (something like that) -it- has it right?
I don't have a lot of money to spend.
Also, there is this new DVD out by Eat 3D, modeling and texturing a Pillar.,,,
I am not asking if you know of where to -get- it, but do you know of any good tutorials out there that are similar. Again, I don't have the 60.00 to spend on it. I did justify buying Crazybump.
Lastly, say I -do- get UE3; do you know of any good tutorials online that talk about getting your assets in, and what maps and channels and settings to use ect... Something basic(ish) not -as- in depth as the Pillar DVD; not showing me how to model, but how to get stuff in.
I am sorry that I -have- been living under a log, and am especially ignorant in this matter. I am a fast learner and eager to eat up anything you can throw my way.
Thank you,
-Andrew
Replies
http://waylon-art.com/LearningUnreal/ look under importing custom meshes
also
http://www.veoh.com/users/cannedmushrooms is some guy who posted up a bunch of tutorials on some basic stuff including importing meshes, he uses Gear of War editor, but they are practicaly the same
youtube also have some basic video tutorials on Unreal Editor
Also nice is http://hourences.com/book/tutorialsindex.htm which has basic and intermediate level tutorials
If you get the collector's edition of ut3, it comes with a large set of bonus videos that go over building levels, etc. It's only 30 bucks.
Just save your pennies, and upgrade your machine as you can.
An 8600/8800gt/9600, etc. would run UE3 rather well and be quite cheap.
As for tutorials (in the event you end up with access to a comp that can handle UE3):
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=598243
http://book.hourences.com/tutorialsindex.htm
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/135306.html
Thank you all for the tutorial advice, I will look those over regardless. Though I will enevitably be making levels in it someday, I would love the satisfaction of getting a model in.
Another question, I have worked in Source alot where one 1inch = 1 unit; off your heads do you know what the scale is for UT3?
Any steering at this point is helpful; thank you.
If funds are an issue you might try looking for UT3 on ebay or half.com. I found one auction that's got the collectors edition (which includes the big ol' tutorial dvd) for $25, which is probably better for your purposes than spending $60 on just the game and bundled editor.
As for the necessary hardware, I just upgraded from a radeon X850 to a radeon HD 2ksomething for about $30 thanks to pricewatch.com.
Some links that helped me get started.
http://ca.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=98A8C5D356626C71
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CreatingLevels.html#Getting%20Started
http://www.hourences.com/book/tutorialsue3mover.htm
The Eat3d tutors are some of the best to come along in a while.
If your computer is fast enough that you can preview at least basic normal/diffuse/spec in viewport or render, you should have enough tools to get your portfolio together. The benefits of your work being in UT3 is showing potential employers you actual game art experience as well as unreal experience.
As for upgrading, it's worth it for presenting work in a game.
@ rootdown:
I bought that copy of UT3; thank you for finding that.
@everyone:
Well I got a great deal on a GeForce 8600 (512) from Pricewatch/Newegg. I don't have much money left, so that will have to sit for awhile. My current PC won't like the new card as I need to get a bigger Power Supply.
I would like to have 4 Gigs of Ram, and a 650+ Powersupply to go with it. I don't know what kind of processor/motherboard is good (and inexpensive); I want to run this game at Max setting and not have to get another computer for 2-3 years.
I guess that also means upgrading to Vista too (do Vista an Max get along alright?).
As for 3dsmax, v8-9 work well, but those are the only ones I've tested. However, at least pre-sp1, max wont run with Aero turned on (on Photoshop CS2 wont run well with it turned off). but I haven't tried it with CS3 or sp1 so things might have changed.
Processor wise you'll want a 'Intel Core2' dual core or quad core.
But of course, the 8600 is a fraction of the price too.
I have read many articles and tutorials, and watched many videos pertaining to UE3. I am admittedly most intimate with the Source engine. However, upon looking into UE3, I am finding that they have many similarities; save for that some terminology is differing.
I am excited to be armed with such ease in which to populate a virtual space with my own creations. The Material Trees are similar to creation in Max, but with a more visual feel (and I hear the Maya has been that way all this time?).
It will take me a month to assemble all the parts. In that time I will begin to create the scene.
Tell me though. Knowing what I know of asset creation, of materials and light, of Highpoly to low; how is it the the Tutorials at Eat3D are so superb. What lesson do they impart that is not common knowledge to all seeking this field (though I do profess that their images are most sexing to the eyes).
The 8600 was a cheap piece of crap from an off brand Nvidia dealer; Zogis. It crapped out bad 2 min into every game. As such, I took the opportunity to pay twice as much ant get the 8800(512); I have not been disappointed.
I am running UT3 and Mass effect at Full Settings. Both games are very inspiring and make me want to reinstall Max and get to playing with how to import stuff. I am thankful for the many links you have bombarded me with and will now commence to digesting all their wisdom.