Your guide to essential software, built-in tools, and workflows.
| Software | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio 2008 | Modify Unreal Engine 3 source code and compile UnrealScripts | Install Virtual Assist X for UnrealScript support |
| Unreal Engine 3 Source Code | Base for modifying and building custom game mechanics | Requires Visual Studio 2008 for compilation |
| 3ds Max (with PhysX & UnrealX) | Export/import .psk, .psa, .fbx for skeletal meshes and animations | Essential for creating and importing models with PhysX support |
| CrazyBump | Create and edit textures, bump maps, and normal maps for in-game assets | Essential for enhancing surface details without adding extra geometry. Generates normal maps, bump maps, and other texture maps, which are vital for creating realistic and efficient materials in Unreal Engine 3. |
| Audacity | Create and edit audio assets for in-game use | .mp3, .wav, .ogg file format is added(usually multiple sound effect Footstep_1-10) |
| Build UE3 | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compile Unreal Engine 3 | Build the engine and generate necessary files | Use Visual Studio 2008 to compile the engine. The compilation creates the Binaries folder, containing the executable (UDKGame.exe), splash screen, and icon for your game. |
| /Binaries | Contains the game executable and related assets | The Binaries folder contains UDKGame.exe (your game title), splash screen, and icon, which are essential for launching the game and the editor. |
| Unreal Editor | Launch the Unreal Editor for level creation | To open the editor, use unrealfrontend.exe "Open Editor" or create a shortcut for UDKGame.exe with "-editor" to launch the editor directly. |
| Write .UScript classes | Add new game logic by creating and editing UnrealScript classes | To add new game logic, write UScript classes in Visual Studio, compile them using Unreal Frontend, and then you can edit and test them in the Unreal Editor. |
| Tool | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Create Level .umap | Create and save individual game levels | Essential starting point for building and organizing your game world |
| Terrain Editor | Create and sculpt landscapes for your levels | Provides tools for painting textures, adding foliage, and shaping terrain |
| Sky and Lighting | Set up skyboxes, environmental lighting, and atmospheric effects | Includes tools for HDR skies, directional lights, fog, and lightmaps |
| Kismet | Visual scripting tool for level logic and events | Used daily for setting up gameplay mechanics, cutscenes, and triggers |
| AnimTree Editor | Blend animations and control animation transitions for models | Crucial for character animation blending, weapon reloading, and movement transitions |
| Physics Asset Tool (PhAT) | Create and edit collision meshes and ragdoll physics for skeletal meshes | Used for character interaction, destruction effects, and accurate hit detection |
| FaceFX Editor | Design and create facial animations for characters | Used for creating realistic facial animations and lip-syncing based on voice audio tracks |
| Matinee | Create and control cinematics and cutscenes for in-game sequences | Used for animating cameras, actors, and other objects to create scripted cinematic sequences. Can integrate with Kismet for interactive scenes and events. |
| Material Editor | Design materials and shaders for surfaces | Used to create dynamic textures, environmental effects, and detailed visual styles |
| Cascade | Particle system editor | Create effects like explosions, smoke, fire, weather, and special effects |
| Sound Cue Editor | Design and link audio assets for in-game use | Combine sounds for interactive and environmental audio effects |
| Content Browser | Manage and import all assets for your project | Organize textures, models, animations, and sounds into folders |
| Lighting Build Tool | Generate precomputed lighting for levels | Used after modifying lights, requires BEAST or similar tools for complex scenes |
| Component | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| unrealfrontend.exe | Compile UnrealScripts to create .u files for the engine | Required for adding new features like weapons, items, or game mechanics |
| Package Cooking | Prepare assets (textures, audio, models) for game deployment | Used when finalizing content for testing or release |
| Log Viewer | Debugging tool for tracking issues during compilation or runtime | View errors and warnings while compiling UnrealScripts or running your game |
| BEAST LightMapper (Incredibuild) | Distribute the workload of building lightmaps and shadowmaps across multiple computers | Essential for optimizing lighting and shadows within .upk levels |
| Game Compilation | Compile the full game for platform release | Finalize the game for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 deployment |
| .ISO Creator | Create final disk images for game distribution | Used during the final stages of building the game for release |