Teach the fundamentals of Unreal Engine and virtual production: Download your free syllabus
June 23, 2021
Whether you already teach Unreal Engine or are planning to start, you can now bring real-time technology to your classroom—fast—with our new 16-week syllabuses: Unreal Foundations and Introduction to Virtual Production.
Written by university educators, each tried-and-tested guide provides a modular way to integrate real time into any curriculum, as well as update existing classes with fresh practical assignments and project ideas.
Learn more about each syllabus and download them both for free below.
Written by Director of 3D Digital Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Shaun Foster.
Who is this for?
This 16-week plan outlines a multidisciplinary course for teaching Unreal Engine either in person, online, or in blended classes across multiple age groups.
“This could be used on a variety of programs,” says Foster. “It opens the door to related skill sets for fields including architecture, training simulation, extended reality and of course, games!”
What does it offer?
Students will learn every element involved in developing interactive 3D, including:
The syllabus also comes with pre-designed activities and projects that cover topics like: how to build previs from your favorite movie scene, create heads-up display (HUD) interfaces, or even change someone’s mood with lighting choices. Projects can be split up into individual lessons or team projects that teach students about workflows like Gantt charts and Scrum that are used everyday in the production world.
How does it help my students?
This course demystifies the process of creating real time, virtual worlds: building skills that tap into a job market currently growing 601% faster than the norm. Whether they’re interested in building PlayStation games, designing cars for Audi, or working on the next big Hollywood film, students will be introduced to the industry-standard platform that can make it all happen.
Download the full syllabus for free here.
Written by university educators, each tried-and-tested guide provides a modular way to integrate real time into any curriculum, as well as update existing classes with fresh practical assignments and project ideas.
Learn more about each syllabus and download them both for free below.
Unreal Foundations
Written by Director of 3D Digital Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Shaun Foster.Who is this for?
This 16-week plan outlines a multidisciplinary course for teaching Unreal Engine either in person, online, or in blended classes across multiple age groups.
“This could be used on a variety of programs,” says Foster. “It opens the door to related skill sets for fields including architecture, training simulation, extended reality and of course, games!”
What does it offer?
Students will learn every element involved in developing interactive 3D, including:
- Mesh types, inputs and collisions
- Lighting, adding materials and creating physics simulations
- Blueprint basics
- Generating large environments and open worlds
- Using skeletal meshes
- Audio and AI
- Visual effects
The syllabus also comes with pre-designed activities and projects that cover topics like: how to build previs from your favorite movie scene, create heads-up display (HUD) interfaces, or even change someone’s mood with lighting choices. Projects can be split up into individual lessons or team projects that teach students about workflows like Gantt charts and Scrum that are used everyday in the production world.
How does it help my students?
This course demystifies the process of creating real time, virtual worlds: building skills that tap into a job market currently growing 601% faster than the norm. Whether they’re interested in building PlayStation games, designing cars for Audi, or working on the next big Hollywood film, students will be introduced to the industry-standard platform that can make it all happen.
Download the full syllabus for free here.
Introduction to Virtual Production
Written by Filmmaker, Educator at UT Austin, and Producer for Film/TV/Virtual Production for Unreal Online Learning, Deepak Chetty.Who is this for?
This 16-week plan surveys virtual production (VP) in Unreal Engine. “It’s perfect for traditional film students with no engine experience, as well as storytellers looking to add VP to their toolkit,” says Chetty.
Highly flexible, the plan can be modified to create shorter courses from the same material and/or taught using a mix of online and in-person teaching. It is geared for high school and up.
What does it offer?
Students will learn the basics of real-time rendering, and leave with a completed project that demonstrates proficiency in both the engine and its application across several stages of production. Topics include:
- How to use Unreal Engine as a cinematics tool
- Character creation workflow
- Environment creation and lighting set-up
- Facial capture workflows
- Using Megascans assets
- Post processing
- Tile export
By week 10, students will have learned enough to start plotting out their final projects. While students get to choose their path, they’ll have to base it on one of three options: previs or fully animate a real-time short, produce a working shot from one of their screenplays, or previs a real-time scene from someone else’s. Whatever they pick, they’ll be learning how to think through the same scenarios found on major productions, and creating a great portfolio piece while doing it.
How does it help my students?
This course is the first step towards powering future productions with the same tools making headlines for The Mandalorian and Ford v Ferrari. After completing the material, students will know how to create, view, and capture real-time worlds that actors can step into on set—and that directors can change with the click of a button.
Download the full syllabus for free here.
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