UDK Map

We have been developing a map using the UDK editor. We have been using the landscape and geometry tools among others to create an original level. We started for by using the landscape editor to create a flat plane. Then using the landscape editor tools we can raise mountains and create bottomless ravines and pit falls. Then using the red builder brush in UDK I added in several place holder blocks which I later replaced.

First draft of map

After some basic playing around with the landscape tools we created a package within UDK which we can add materials to and then use said materials through the landscape editor. Once the package has been completed we can add the contained materials to the landscape editor by typing in the relevant name into the search bar. With the paint tool selected we can then cover the entire map in any given material and later add in detail by over lapping them.

Level draft with textures added

With the addition of some basic static messes and a water volume this seeming barren map becomes a much different site indeed

Level with first staticmehs

Level with some staticmeshes

This level is still a work in progress and needs the many more man hours to be put in before completion.

Photoshop 3D mode

Simply click on the 3D button at the top of the screen while in Photoshop and select New 3D extrusion from selected layers. Then once you do this the 3D mode will activate and you will see something like this

angled photo of 3D image created

and a smaller window like this in the top right.

Top down view 

This is a top down view of the selected layer.

There are several move tools within the 3D mode and this next image shows them

3D tools

Creating Puzzles in UDK

We started for by watching a tutorial video found at the World of Level Design website. We added in a static mess of a wheel.

Content Browser, Static meshes

Then we converted the static mess into a mover.

Converting the mesh to a mover

This aloud us to use the object in a matinee sequence later on in the process. 

Once this had been done we scaled up the wheel and rotated it in relation to the wall it would be protruding from. We added in a trigger, which would activate only when used, and a point light, which we made toggle able. The light was set so that it would be off until it revived a signal telling it otherwise. 

Trigger and lights

When the trigger is used it will activate a matinee sequence which shows the wheel rotating.

UDK Matinee

The sequence lasts for a total of 1 second. We ticked options which will allow it to repeat the sequence without resetting it to the beginning. These were Rewind on play and no reset on rewind options under the matinee sub menus. 

We added a switch into kismet and set the switch count to 5 and enabled looping. This switch will be used to determine how many times the wheel(s) will have to be turned  in order to reach the correct position, at which point the green light will become enabled. 

Kismet for checking the puzzles condition

The next image shows how this process works 

Kismet for puzzle

At link 1 I have connected it into the bool variable which sends a signal which indicates that the wheel is in the right place. I have also attached it play announcement which plays a message saying that the wheel is in place to the player. 

At link 2 I have attached it to the bool variable which sends a signal that the indicates that the wheel is now out of position.

With this you can make a combination type lock for doors and secret areas within a level. In the case shown above the wheel need only be turned once to reach the correct location bu that can be changed so that it would need to be turn 3 times, 4 times etc.

    

Doodle for Google

Today we began work on our image processing assignment. We had a choice of weather to design a Christmas card for our college or to enter the doodle for Google competition. I decided to enter the doodle for Google competition.

The competition has a set theme, "Adventure" . I choose what the greatest adventure man has ever been on and that is space exploration.

We set up our pages on Photoshop and got to work.
I started off my logo by drawing a eliptical shape on the background and adding to it from there

First draft of doodle

As you can see I added in a circle to represent the earth and a few white dots to represent stars.

This basic element didn't change much from the start of the project up until the finishing stages.

As I added in more elements to my scaled univers it realy began to take shape

Draft 3

With the help of a lens flare effect I was able to represent the sun in a way that saved me quite a sizeable amount of time.
The addition of the rocket and space station at this stage seems pointless but I work more on them later.

I edited the size and amount of stars visible on my doodle and even added a small white connecting line from a few of them to represent the first G in google.

draft 5

I then overlaped the earth and the moon and ever made it look as though the rocket was taking off from earth.

draft 6

I enhanced the size of the moon and added deepth with tht use of shadow and bevel and boss effects.

I did the same to the space station, the earth and the rocket. 

With the addition of these effects my doodle began to look alot less cartoony

After some final changes, adding in a few background stars and giving a glow effect to some existing ones, I was happy with the result and decided that was where I was going to end my work on my doodle.

Finished draft