07 Deform Tools in Unreal Engine 5 6 Modeling

Session 7 Summary – Deform Tools in UE5.6

🔹 Project Setup

• Launched Unreal Engine 5.6, created a new project deform_practice.
• Imported provided maps folder from Patreon zip.
• Set up a new level with proper lighting using the Environment Light Mixer.

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🛠️ Deform Menu Tools

1. Vertex Sculpt

• Used for organic deformation (non-geometric).
• Tools include:
• Move: Pull or push a group of vertices.
• Smooth: Blends and softens sharp shapes.
• Smooth Fill: Fills small pits or holes.
• Grab: Drags mesh parts freely.
• No increase in triangle count – only vertex repositioning.

2. Dynamic Sculpt

• Adds new geometry while sculpting (increases triangle count).
• Example tool: Inflate.
• Use cautiously – high polycount may crash system.

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🌀 Other Deform Tools

3. Smooth

• Applies global mesh smoothing.
• Three modes: Iterative, Implicit, Diffusion.

4. Offset

• Shifts mesh surface outward/inward.
• Useful for puffing up or flattening objects.

5. Warp

• Distorts mesh along axes.
• Warp types: Bend, Flare, Squash.
• Adjustable via interactive axis gizmo.

6. Lattice

• Encloses mesh in a 3D control cage (default 5×5×5).
• Allows soft selection-based distortion using lattice points.

7. Displace

• Displaces mesh vertices using:
• Perlin Noise (random organic texture)
• Random Noise
• Sine Waves
• 2D Texture Maps (e.g., black & white foundation layout image)
• Enables advanced shaping like terrain, dug foundations, etc.

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🪑 Practical Sculpting Example

• Applied subdivision and sculpt on a chair to soften its form.
• Used offset and smooth to make it resemble a sofa.
• Renamed to sm_chair_sculpt.

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🔄 Transfer Tool (from XForm menu)

• Replaced existing patterned chairs with the newly sculpted chair using:
• Harvest Instances
• Transfer tool to update all instances with the new mesh.

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✅ Conclusion

• Completed the Deform Module.
• Learned how to digitally sculpt, warp, displace, and transfer geometry efficiently.
• Next session will cover the Model menu and its components.

 

06 Create Arrays using Pattern in Unreal Engine 5 6 Modeling

Session 6 Summary – Pattern Tool and Harvest Instances in UE5.6

• Introduction to Pattern Tool

  • Similar to array tools in 3ds Max and Maya.

  • Used for duplicating static mesh instances in linear, grid, and circular arrangements.

• Linear Pattern Mode

  • Options include:

    • By Count: Distribute a fixed number of instances over a set length.

    • By Step Size: Define spacing between each instance.

    • Packed: Places instances adjacent to each other with no gaps.

• Use Case Examples

  • Creating fences around a ground by reusing arrow meshes.

  • Arranging chairs in grids (for audience seating) and circles (for events).

  • Building steps/stairs using translation values in Z-axis.

  • Creating spiral steps using circular patterns and incremental Z-translation.

• Advanced Pattern Customizations

  • Rotation: Start and end rotations can bend or curve patterns.

  • Scale: Gradually scale instances from start to end (e.g., tower of varying height blocks).

  • Split & Merge: Split merged meshes back into parts or re-merge for cleaner structure.

• ISM and Harvest Instances

  • Harvest Instances: Optimizes performance by converting repeated meshes into instanced static meshes.

  • Two types:

    • ISM (Instanced Static Mesh) – For static geometry.

    • HISM (Hierarchical ISM) – Supports animation/hierarchical structures.

  • ISM Editor: Allows modifying individual instances (move, scale, etc.) after harvesting.

• Performance Note

  • Using instancing is crucial for large repeated objects (e.g., chairs) to maintain scene efficiency.

• Next Module

  • The following session will cover the Deform Menu in the Modeling Tools.

05 XForm tools in modeling menu of Unreal Engine 5 6

Project Setup

• Started a new project called modeling practice.

• Set up a new empty level and saved it under Maps > modeling_practice.

• Added atmospheric lighting using Environment Light Mixer and organized it under an Atmosphere folder.

• Enabled the Modeling Tools Editor Mode plugin.

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🔹 Coordinate System & Pivot Points

• Explained world space (X, Y, Z) vs. pivot points in 3D models.

• Created 3 arrows with pivot set to base, center, and top respectively.

• Demonstrated how pivot position affects object placement and rotation.

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🔹 Transform Tool Modes

1. Shared Gizmo (World Space)

   • Moves or rotates multiple objects together using a central gizmo.

2. Shared Gizmo Local

   • Rotates or scales each object around its own pivot point.

3. Multi Gizmo

   • Lets you move, rotate, or scale each object independently.

4. Set Pivot Mode

   • Temporarily moves the pivot to a custom position during multi-object transforms.

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🔹 Snap Dragging

• Enabled snap dragging to precisely align and snap objects to each other.

• Can snap by pivot point or clicked point.

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🔹 Align Tool

• Align objects based on:

  • Z-axis, X-axis, or Y-axis

  • First selected, Last selected, or Combined center

  • Alignment by bounding box or pivot point

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🔹 Merge Tool

• Combined two arrows into a two-headed arrow using the Merge function.

• Options include:

  • Output type: Static, Dynamic, or Volume

  • Keep/delete inputs

  • Save as named output mesh

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🔹 Instance vs Duplicate

• Alt + Drag creates instances – editing one updates all.

• XForm > Duplicate creates independent copy with custom name, type, and keep/delete options.

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🔹 Edit Pivot Point

• Used Edit Pivot to reposition pivot after object creation (top, bottom, center, etc.).

• Essential for correct rotation, snapping, and alignment.

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🔹 Bake Transform

• Used to reset translation, rotation, and scale values to 0 and 1.

• Ensures objects load with the correct default orientation and size.

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🔹 Arrow Set Creation

• Created directional arrows: North, East, South, West.

• Rotated and baked transforms so that each arrow maintains its direction even after transform reset.

• Scaled all arrows to 0.1 and baked again to make 0.1 their default size.

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🔹 Convert & Cleanup

• Converted static meshes (arrows) to dynamic meshes to remove from disk.

• Deleted static versions from the content drawer without affecting level instances.

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✅ Conclusion

• Completed all core functions under XForm (Transform & Convert):

  • Transform, Align, Merge, Duplicate, Edit Pivot, Bake Transform, Convert

• Set up for next session:

  • Pattern, Split, Transfer, Harvest Instances, ISM Editor

04 Bevel Cut Triselect tools in Unreal Engine 5 6 Modeling Solving Poly...

Reloading and Editing the Chair

• After re-opening the project, the chair created as a static mesh lost polygon selection capability.
• Solution:
• Use PolyGroup Edit to continue editing with face/edge/vertex tools.
• Recommendation: Use Dynamic Mesh for editable models across sessions.

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🔹 Rebuilding Chair Using Dynamic Mesh

• Recreated the simple chair model with:
• Seat: 50×50×10 cm
• Legs: Extruded 4 legs using Insert Loop and Extrude
• Armrests and backrest: Created using Push/Pull, Cut Tool, and Offset

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🔹 Advanced Edge Operations

• Introduced Cut Tool to manually slice geometry across irregular faces.
• Demonstrated Insert Loop combined with Move Edge Tool for precise height adjustments.

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🔹 Bevel Tool Explained

• Created a test box to demonstrate bevel:
• Bevel distance controls the roundness of an edge.
• Subdivisions increase smoothness.
• Applied bevel on chair legs and armrest edges to round sharp corners.

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🔹 Working with Edge Loops & Edge Rings

• Used Edge Loop and Edge Ring options under PolyGroup Edit > Edge Mode.
• Enabled easier mass-selection of edge loops and adjusted them for refinement.

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🔹 Push/Pull vs Delete

• Used Push/Pull instead of delete to avoid normal and shading issues.
• Cutouts and armrest gaps were created with Push/Pull for clean geometry.

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🔹 TriSelect Tool (Triangle Selection)

• Enabled brush-based selection for triangles.
• Demonstrated reducing chair height by selecting and moving triangle sets.

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🔹 Finalizing and Saving the Chair

• Used XForm > Duplicate to copy the dynamic chair.
• Used Convert to convert the duplicated dynamic mesh into static mesh.
• Saved final mesh as SM_SimpleChairCompleted for reuse across levels/projects.

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🔚 Conclusion and What’s Next

• Fully modeled a clean, reusable chair with detailed editing tools.
• All tools in the Select tab explored.
• Next session will cover:
• XForm (Transform)
• DForm (Deform)

 

03 Explore select menu options in modeling menu of unreal engine 56

Project Setup

• Opened SartvicOffice.uproject and continued work in modeling_practice level.

• Switched off visibility for other static meshes (like SM_Gate, SM_SiteArea) to focus on a new model.

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🔹 Creating a Simple Chair

• Started with a 100x100x100 cm box, pivot placed at base.

• Converted into a seat platform:

  • Resized to 50x50x10 cm.

  • Adjusted using face selection and snapping (10 cm increments).

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🔹 Modeling Chair Legs

• Used Insert Loop to subdivide the seat into 5x5 grid (for 10 cm blocks).

• Selected four corner faces and used Extrude to create chair legs with 50 cm height.

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🔹 Backrest Modeling

• Selected six top faces and six side faces for the backrest support.

• Used Offset to displace selected faces by 2 cm outward.

• Push/Pull tool explored for vertical extrusion and geometry subtraction.

• Used Extrude (preferred over Push/Pull when no subtraction is needed).

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🔹 Backrest Detailing

• Created 6 loop cuts for further subdivisions.

• Connected top bar to backrest using Push/Pull (40 cm height).

• Added decorative crossbars using selective extrusion on mid-faces.

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🔹 Inset and Merge Face Operations

• Merged 12 seat faces into a single face for cleaner modeling.

• Used Inset to create a recessed area on the seat surface.

• Pulled it down slightly using 1–2 cm snapping increments.

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🔹 Leg Detailing with Outside Inset

• Applied Outside to extend the leg faces.

• Pulled extended leg parts downward by 10 cm using Extrude.

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🔹 Important Notes

• Static Meshes lose editability after saving and reopening.

  • Recommended to model using Dynamic Meshes until final export.

• Saved final mesh as SM_SimpleChair.

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🔹 Next Session Preview

• Remaining tools like:

  • Bevel

  • XForm (Transform)

  • DForm (Deform)

• Will be covered in the next class.

02 Exploring Create Menu Options in Modeling mode of Unreal Engine 5.6

Unreal Engine 5.6 Official Release

• 5.6 moved from preview to official release.

• Must install with:

  • Starter Content

  • Templates

  • Engine Source

  • MetaHuman Core Data

• Optional to skip debug symbols to save space.

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🔹 Continuing from Previous Session

• Reopened modeling_practice level.

• Ensured models are saved to My_Created_Models folder (updated project settings).

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🔹 Modeling Tools – “Create” Menu Exploration

🧱 Box

• Can set width, depth, height in cm.

• Subdivision affects mesh smoothness (more subdivisions = more polygons).

• Wireframe view helps visualize subdivisions.

• More subdivisions = smoother deformation but heavier GPU load.

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⚪ Sphere

• Static, Dynamic, or Volume types.

• Subdivision types:

  • Box: Uniform mesh.

  • Latitude/Longitude: Poles form triads (less uniform).

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🥫 Cylinder

• Radius, height, radial slices (define circular smoothness), and height subdivisions.

• Radial slice = number of circular segments.

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🧢 Capsule

• Cylinder with hemispherical ends.

• Adjustable:

  • Radius

  • Cylinder length

  • Hemisphere slices

  • Cylinder subdivisions

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🔺 Cone

• Adjustable radius, height, and segment detail.

• Used for simple pointed shapes.

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🍩 Torus

• Donut-shaped geometry.

• Control:

  • Major radius (overall size)

  • Minor radius (ring thickness)

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➡️ Arrow

• Customize shaft and head dimensions, radial segments, and slice count.

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📏 Rectangle, Disc, and Polygon Shapes

• Rectangles: Width, height, subdivisions.

• Disc: Change radial slice to convert to triangle, square, hexagon, etc.

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🪜 Stairs

• Types: Linear, Floating, Curved, Spiral.

• Adjustable step count, dimensions, curve radius, and angle.

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🧱 Cube Grid Tool

• Used to build structures like gates by snapping 3D blocks.

• Press E to extrude up, Q to inset or carve, Z to enable vertex edit.

• Shift+E moves extrusions without connecting.

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📏 Extrude Polygon Tool

• Modes: Freehand, Circle, Square, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ring.

• Create 2D shape → Extrude into 3D geometry.

• Example: custom building base, ring shapes.

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🛤️ Extrude Path Tool

• Draw 2D paths and extrude into 3D forms (like beams, trims).

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🌀 Revolve Path Tool

• Draw shape and revolve around an axis.

• Create vases, pillars, cylindrical decorative elements.

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🎢 Draw Spline + Mesh/Revolve

• Draw spline in 2D.

• Use Revolve Spline for radial extrusion (lofting).

• Use Mesh Spline to convert closed splines into mesh geometry.

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🔚 Conclusion

• All Create tools in the Modeling Mode explored.

• Next session will cover:

  • Transform (XForm)

  • Deform (DForm) tools to modify created shapes.

01 Modeling Basics: Triads and Polygroups in Unreal Engine 5 6

Introduction to Asset Creation in Unreal Engine

• Transition from using pre-built assets to creating custom assets within Unreal Engine using modeling tools.

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🔹 Basics of 3D Modeling

• Vertex: A point in 3D space.
• Edge: A line connecting two vertices.
• Face: A surface formed by three or more edges.
• Triad: Face with 3 vertices (triangle).
• Quad: Face with 4 vertices (rectangle).
• N-gon: Face with more than 4 vertices.

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🔹 3D Modeling in Unreal Engine

• Unreal Engine uses real-time rendering, unlike offline rendering in software like Blender or Maya.
• All models are internally converted to triangles (triads) in Unreal for performance.

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🔹 Project Setup

• Download assets: houseplan_images.zip and SathvikOffice.zip.
• Set up a new Unreal Engine project and level named modeling_practice.
• Save new models to a folder called "my_created_models" for persistent use across levels.

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🔹 Enabling Modeling Tools

• Enable plugins:
• Modeling Tools Editor Mode
• Static Mesh Editor Modeling Mode
• Restart Unreal Engine after enabling.

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🔹 Using the Modeling Interface

• Access Modeling Mode via Shift + 5.
• Categories include Create, Transform, Deform, Model, UVs, Bake, etc.

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🔹 Primitive Modeling: Box Example

• Options:
• Static Mesh: Saved to disk, reusable.
• Volume: Invisible mesh used for triggers or physics.
• Dynamic Mesh: Exists only in current level, temporary.

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🔹 Understanding Units

• Default Unreal units are in centimeters (1 meter = 100 cm, 1 foot = 30.48 cm).
• Use Google or calculator to convert real-world sizes.

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🔹 Creating Site Area

• Use box primitive with dimensions 12.19m x 18.28m (converted to cm).
• Adjust thickness (e.g., 1 ft = 30.48 cm).
• Save and rename mesh with Unreal naming convention: SM_SiteArea.

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🔹 Vertex, Edge, Face Selection Modes

• Use icons to edit models at vertex, edge, or face level.
• Wireframe and polygroup mode help visualize and group geometry more intuitively.

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🔹 Conclusion

• This session covered the basics of 3D modeling using Unreal’s built-in tools.
• Upcoming sessions will explore the full "Create" menu in depth and begin constructing the building step-by-step.