Unreal Engine 4 tutorial for beginners - all details

With Unreal Engine 4, you can easily program professional and complex video games yourself. In this tutorial you will learn about the structure of the program and some basic concepts.

Install Unreal Engine 4

Before you start programming with the Unreal Engine, you must first install it. In this example we show you the installation under Windows.

1. First download the Unreal Engine 4. This is done through the Unreal Engine homepage.
2. Then run the installer and click "Install".
3. During the installation, the Windows firewall will prevent the program from accessing the network several times. However, you should allow this access so that you can properly install the Unreal Engine or the Epic Games Launcher.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch the Epic Games Launcher and log in with your Epic Games account.
5. If necessary, click on "Fix now" to renew the outdated shortcuts.
6. Now click on the "Unreal Engine" tab and on "Install Engine".
7. You can then choose where to install the engine. If you want, you can install it on a USB stick or an external hard drive, for example. Then click on "Install".
8. If the Epic Games Launcher later asks if the uproject files should be assigned to the Launcher, click on "Repair now".

Unreal Engine 4: The Project Manager

As soon as the installation of the Unreal Engine has been completed, you can start it by clicking on "Launch".

• The project manager starts first. If you have not worked with the Unreal Engine before, it is advisable to select a template here.
• Also give the project a name and choose the location.
• Finally click on "Create Project" to start.

Program sections in the Unreal Engine

The Unreal Engine is divided into six important fields.

1. Modes Panel: Here you will find various tools, such as the "Landscape Tool", the "Foliage Tool" or the "Place Tool". With the "Place Tool" you can, for example - as the name suggests - place objects in the level.
2. World Outliner: The "World Outliner" shows all objects of the current level and is used for organization.
3. Details: In the "Details" field you can edit the properties of individual objects of the level.
4. Toolbar: At the top you will find the Toolbar, which offers general functions. The "Play" button with which you can try out your game is very important.
5. Viewport: You can always view the current level in the "Viewport" from different perspectives. You can also move objects here and much more.
6. Content Browser: Finally there is the "Content Browser", in which you can find all project files. You can also organize them here, view the folder structure or import files.

Unreal Engine: These standard assets exist

There are countless assets in the Unreal Engine. The four important standard assets are:

• Blueprint Class: You need a "Blueprint Class" for the course of the game or for the behavior of individual objects. If you want to add a moving car to the game, for example, this could be solved with a "Blueprint Class". A "Blueprint Class" is programmed with a node system. This means that you connect several program elements with arrows, similar to a flow diagram.
• Level: With this asset you can easily - as the name suggests - create a level, which you can edit directly in the "Viewport".
• Material: This asset is also self-explanatory. You can create materials with this asset in a special "Material Editor". The node system is used again here.
• Particle System: With this asset you can add particles to an object. It is processed in a special particle editor.
• You can easily add assets to the game by clicking on "Add New" in the "Content Browser". You will then find the above-mentioned standard assets in the "Create Basic Asset" section.

Meshes in the Unreal Engine

If you work with the Unreal Engine, you will also encounter so-called "meshes".

• You need meshes or polygon meshes for three-dimensional graphics. There are two different types of meshes.
• Static Mesh: A "Static Mesh" is a geometric object that consists of many different polygons (polygons). This object is stored in the graphics memory and can be moved, rotated and scaled without much computing power being required.
• Skeletal Mesh: This mesh is very similar to the "Static Mesh". However, it still has interconnected "bones" which can change it. If you want to add a running rabbit to the game, you need a "Skeletal Mesh" so that you can also animate a running movement.

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You can install the Unreal Engine via the Epic Games Launcher.

You can create a new project in the Project Browser.

If the project files are not assigned to the launcher, click on "Repair now".

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You can test the game by pressing "Play".