BECOME A TECHNICAL ARTIST

In the dynamic world of game development, the identity of a technical artist evolves uniquely with each studio's vision. Let’s dive into the various roles they play, understand basic version control systems, and get an overview of this course.

• Responsibilities of a technical artist
• Specialisations within technical art
• Overview of the game development pipeline
• Version control systems (Git, Perforce)

Practise writing clean code and work with variables, inputs, and functions in Python. Acquire a foundational understanding of Python basics and essential problem-solving techniques for diverse applications.

• Algorithmic thinking
• Abstraction & decomposition
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
• Demo: Using Python for maths (using VS Code and Python)

Assignment #1: Create a Python script that calculates the length of a vector.

The primary aim is to empower you to craft more resilient Python scripts. Grasp the intricacies of flow control and delve into advanced calculations using Python. We’ll jump into nested conditionals, scopes, for loops, and more.

• Conditional statements (if-else, switch-case)
• Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT)
• Try & except
• Workshop 1: Fibonacci sequence
  Break down the elements of calculating the Fibonacci sequence

Decrease time by improving streamlined processes. How? Leverage automation by identifying inefficiencies and creating time-saving solutions that benefit team members. Let’s master the art of file management and task automation using Python.

• Imports (os and sys)
• Reading and writing files
• Debugging
• Workshop 2: Automation
  Discuss something tedious you’ve had to work on and how you could automate it.

Assignment #2: Create a batch renamer Python script.

Uncover the practical applications and significance of object-oriented programming (OOP) within the context of game development. Gain a fundamental understanding of OOP concepts, their benefits, and when to use them.

• Classes
• Inheritance
• Pros & cons of functional programming vs. OOP
• Workshop 3: Object-oriented breakdown
  Pick a topic and organise it into “parents” and “children” components. 

Explore the realm of user interface (UI) design and its impact on tool accessibility. Understand how to effectively apply Python knowledge to enhance customer engagement through thoughtful UI/UX integration. Get ready to hear from a pipeline tech artist as today’s guest speaker.

• UI/UX
• QtDesigner & importing UI files
• Connecting buttons to functions
• Checkboxes, reading & updating fields
• Demo: Using QtDesigner to create a UI for Python scripts
• Case Study: God of War wind tool in Maya

Assignment #3: Give your batch renamer a GUI.

Dive into the fundamentals and discover the latest features of one of the gaming industry's leading engines, Unreal Engine 5. Familiarise yourself with its interface, essential features, and the integration of Git for effective collaboration.

• Interface & asset types
• Blueprints
• Nanite & Lumen
• Using Git in Unreal

Uncover the transformative power of node-based scripting through Blueprints to enhance your prototyping capabilities and tool development. Embrace the versatility offered by this approach to address uncharted needs, making the workflow smoother for your team.

• More Blueprints
• Scripting in Unreal
• Demo: Creating a three-light setup (using Unreal Engine 5)

Assignment #4: Create a radio blueprint (Using Unreal Engine 5).

Examine the world of pixel shader manipulation. Understand that shaders are the backbone of everything you see on your screen, responsible for captivating visual effects. Build the foundation for crafting stunning visual experiences.

• Texture samples and UVs
• Lerp
• Sine and cosine
• Demo: Create a lerping shader (using Unreal Engine 5)

It’s not as complicated as you think. Simplify the complexities of shader functionality by grasping key concepts and explore the practical side of 3D mathematics to create captivating visual effects.

• 3D vectors
• Dot product
• Fresnel
• Demo: Creating a Fresnel shader (using Unreal Engine 5)
• Case study: Shaders in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Assignment #5: Create a ghostly shader (Using Unreal Engine 5).

Understand the intricate process of rendering a frame to the screen and delve into performance considerations for games. Gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of rendering, bridging communication gaps.

• Render architecture overview
• Geometry buffers & spaces
• Vertices and pixels
• Profiling & bottlenecks
• Workshop 4: Performance issues
  Discuss a time when you’ve seen performance issues in a game and what you think might have caused it. 

Discover the essentials of creating eye-catching visual effects in Unreal Engine 5. Delve into the technical and artistic aspects of VFX, bringing magic to your game development.

• Niagra
• Particles, ribbons & decals
• Timing & payloads
• Principles of color
• Guest Speaker - VFX Artist
• Demo: Creating an aura effect (using Unreal Engine 5)
• Case Study: VFX in Horizon: Forbidden West

Assignment #6: Portfolio Piece.

Learn the art of vertex manipulation to breathe life into dynamic animations. Experience the excitement of creating flowing animations, such as lava or water, through vertex shaders.

• World position offset
• 3D noise
• Interpolation
• Demo: Making a lava shader (using Unreal Engine 5)
• Case Study: Vertex animation in Elden Ring

Explore the advanced realm of visual effects and prepare for the final project. Delve into GPU particles, beams, and potential insights from a VFX Artist, whetting your appetite for industry insights.

• GPU particles
• Beams and lights
• Paired or peer final project review

Unlock the potential of automation within Unreal Engine, applying Blueprint and Python knowledge to streamline development processes and assist other teams.

• Construction scripts
• Actor Actions
• Asset Actions
• Blueprint Widget UIs
• Python

Prepare for career growth and success beyond this course. Learn the art of building a standout portfolio, acing interviews, and presenting your work effectively.

• Career trajectory and growth opportunities
• Building a strong portfolio
• Interview preparation & techniques
• Continued learning & skill development
• Tips on presenting a product to a customer