Blender Utilising AI and Unreal Engine | 2023

Week1
Date: Tuesday 12th September (6pm – 9pm)

Session 1.1 (Introduction and Modelling Basics)

• Introduction to Blender interface and navigation – Understanding the 3D workspace
• Useful addons and settings
• Basic modelling techniques: creating and manipulating objects

Session 1.2 (Texturing and Materials)

• Introduction to texturing and materials in Blender
• Introduction to texturing and materials in Blender
• Applying materials and textures

Hands-on exercise: Create a simple model and texture using UV unwrapping.

Week 2
Date: Tuesday 19th September (6pm – 9pm)

Session 2.1 (Animation Fundamentals)

• Introduction to animation principles
• Keyframing and timeline manipulation
• Creating basic animations: transformations and object movements

Session 2.2 (Animation Intermediate)

• Introduction to the Graph Editor, Dope Sheet & NLA – Non Linear Animation
• Adding shape keys
• Animation modifiers – Noise, FCurve

Hands-on exercise: Animate a simple object using shape keys. Add camera shake.

Week 3
Date: Tuesday 26th September (6pm – 9pm)

Session 3.1 (Advanced Modelling Techniques)

• Advanced modelling techniques: subdivision and modifiers
• Introduction to sculpting
• Creating complex shapes and structures

Session 3.2 (Creating Game Ready Assets)

• Retopology – Baking high poly to low poly models
• Introduction to texture painting
• PBR Materials – Baking materials for use in game engine software

Hands-on exercise: Create a detailed model and game asset using advanced techniques

Week 4
Date: Tuesday 3rd October (6pm – 9pm)

Session 4.1 (Character Animation)

• Rigging and character setup in Blender
• Introduction to armatures and bone systems
• Creating and controlling character animations

Session 4.2 (Rendering and Output)

• Introduction to Blender render engines – Eevee & Cycles
• Camera and lighting setups
• Rendering settings and optimization

Hands-on exercise: Rig and animate a simple character. Render 10 second clip

Week 5
Date: Tuesday 10th October (6pm – 9pm)

Session 5.1 (AI Tools in Blender)

• Introduction to AI tools in Blender
• Introduction to prompt styles
• Utilise AI to generate Python scripts to automate Blender

Session 5.2 (Export to Unreal Engine)

• Export assets to Unreal Engine
• Introduction to UE Interface & Navigation
• Introduction to the Level Sequencer and Rendering Final Output

Hands-on exercise: Final Project – 30 second animation incorporating an element of each session

Week 6
Date: Tuesday 17th October (6pm – 9pm)

Session 6 (Project Showcase)

• Final project showcase
• Q&A