✨ Project 3: Lesson 3 - Make Other Effects, Landscape, and Post Process

Refine Your Landscape:

• Use Landscape Sculpt tool with different brush sizes
• Create:
  • Hills and valleys
  • Smooth plains
  • Rocky outcrops
  • Natural paths

Use Different Sculpting Tools:

• Sculpt: Raise and lower terrain
• Smooth: Soften harsh edges
• Flatten: Create flat areas
• Erosion: Create natural-looking erosion patterns
• Noise: Add random variation

Create Terrain Features:

• Mountain peaks
• River valleys
• Plateaus
• Natural pathways

Add Texture Layers:

• In Landscape Paint mode, you can paint multiple materials
• Create layers for:
  • Grass
  • Dirt
  • Rock
  • Sand (near water)

Blend Textures:

• Use different brush strengths
• Paint with low opacity to blend textures
• Create natural transitions between materials

Add Detail:

• Paint dirt paths through grass
• Add rocky areas
• Create texture variety across your landscape

Create Exponential Height Fog:

• Place Actors → Visual Effects → Exponential Height Fog
• Position it in your level (it affects the whole level)

Configure Fog Settings:

• Fog Density: 0.02-0.05 (start low, increase if needed)
• Fog Height Falloff: 0.2 (how fog decreases with height)
• Fog Inscattering Color: Light blue or white
• Directional Inscattering Color: Slightly different color for depth

Test Fog:

• Enter Play mode
• Adjust fog density until it looks good
• Fog should add atmosphere, not block everything

Find Particle Systems:

• In Content Browser, look for "P_Particle" or similar
• Starter Content may have some particle effects
• Or download from Epic Marketplace

Place Particle Emitter:

• Drag particle system into viewport
• Position it where you want the effect
• Examples:
  • Dust clouds near ground
  • Mist over water
  • Falling leaves

Adjust Particle Settings:

• Select the particle actor
• In Details panel, adjust:
  • Spawn Rate: How many particles per second
  • Scale: Size of particles
  • Color: Tint the particles

Create Post-Process Volume:

• Place Actors → Visual Effects → Post Process Volume
• Drag it into your level
• Scale it large enough to cover your entire level
• Check "Infinite Extent" in Details panel (affects whole level)

Basic Color Adjustments:

• In Details panel, find "Color Grading" section
• Adjust:
  • Saturation: 1.0-1.2 (slightly more colorful)
  • Contrast: 0.0-0.2 (slight contrast boost)
  • Gain: 1.0 (brightness)

Bloom Effect:

• Find "Bloom" section
• Enable Bloom
• Intensity: 0.3-0.5 (soft glow on bright objects)
• Threshold: 1.0 (when bloom starts)

Auto Exposure:

• Find "Auto Exposure" section
• Enable "Auto Exposure"
• This automatically adjusts brightness like your eyes do

Lens Effects:

• Vignette: Darkens edges slightly (0.2-0.4)
• Chromatic Aberration: Slight color separation (0.1-0.2)
• Use these sparingly for cinematic effect

Motion Blur (Optional):

• Enable if you want blur when moving
• Set to 0.5-1.0 intensity
• Can impact performance

Depth of Field:

• Creates focus blur
• Focal Distance: How far the focus is
• Depth Blur Amount: 0.5-1.0
• Use for cinematic shots

Add Sky Light:

• Place Actors → Light → Sky Light
• This captures light from the sky
• Set "Source Type" to "SLS Captured Scene"

Add Sky Sphere (Optional):

• Search for "Sky Sphere" in Place Actors
• Or use Directional Light with "Atmosphere Sun Light" enabled
• This creates a realistic sky

Adjust Sky Color:

• In Directional Light, adjust "Atmosphere Sun Light Color"
• Warm colors (orange/yellow) for sunrise/sunset
• Cool colors (blue) for midday

Check Frame Rate:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+, (comma) to show stats
• Look for FPS (frames per second)
• Aim for 60 FPS or higher

Optimize if Needed:

• Reduce grass density if FPS is low
• Lower particle counts
• Reduce post-process effects
• Use LODs (Level of Detail) for distant objects

Scatter Small Objects:

• Use Foliage tool to add:
  • Small plants
  • Flowers
  • Bushes
  • Trees (if you have them)

Create Interest Points:

• Add a special rock formation
• Create a clearing in the grass
• Add a small island in your water
• Place a unique landmark

Pathways and Navigation:

• Create visible paths through grass
• Add waypoints or markers
• Ensure players can navigate easily

Play Test Your Level:

• Click Play button
• Walk around entire level
• Check:
  • Lighting looks good everywhere
  • No floating objects
  • Smooth performance
  • Everything looks natural

Take Screenshots:

• Press F9 to take high-quality screenshots
• Or use the Camera actor for cinematic shots
• Showcase your best angles

Get Feedback:

• Show your level to classmates
• Ask what they like
• Make improvements based on feedback