Building Virtual Worlds & Simulation
- Sep 26, 2025
- 3 min read
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Fall 2023 - 2024
Average of 15 students per section
Teaching a course dedicated to the creation of high-fidelity virtual worlds using 3D computer graphics, focusing on open-world environments, architectural designs, and world-building within Unreal Engine. Guide students to research and practice concept development and to master key tools such as landscape sculpting, painting, foliage, spline, texture, lighting, creating assets, blueprints, player controls, collision, nodes, interaction, real-time rendering, camera & sequencer animation, particles, etc. Encourage students to take inspiration from natural environments and apply these ideas to create immersive and compelling scenes.
Course Overview
15 weeks schedule
Weekly Assignments and Critique Sessions
2 semester projects and 1 final project
Practicing Documentation & Professional Presentations
Course Agenda
Week 1: Introduction & Course Overview
• Focus: Introduction to the course objectives, tools, and expectations. Overview of Unreal Engine and its relevance in virtual world creation.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)
o Navigating the UE5 Interface
o Project Setup and Basics
Week 2: Impressions of Nature
• Focus: Explore the concept of depicting and recreating nature in a synthetic medium. Discuss personal experiences and reactions to natural environments.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Getting Started with the Landscape Tool
o Introduction to Foliage Tools (Quixel Megascans)
o Materials I: Basics and Application
Week 3: Lighting Fundamentals
• Focus: Understand the role of lighting in creating realistic and atmospheric environments.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Lighting I: Fundamentals
o The Environment Lighting Panel
o Introduction to post-processing
Week 4: Water and Environmental Effects
• Focus: Enhance virtual environments with realistic water and environmental effects.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Introduction to Water Tools
o Creating Realistic Water Bodies
o Integrating Environmental Effects
Project 1: Virtual Garden
Design and build your own garden in Unreal Engine. Consider the purpose, location, and elements of the garden—what to include and what to omit
Week 5: Constructions of Nature
• Focus: Analyze how societies construct their relationship with nature and define what is “natural.”
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Sequencer: Modifying Scenes Over Time
o Camera I: Placement, Movement, and Recording
o Interaction I: Adding a Character and Scene Navigation
Week 6: Blueprints and Interaction
• Focus: Develop interactive elements within virtual environments using Blueprints.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Interaction II: Blueprints & Scene Interaction
o Basic Scripting with Blueprints
o Introduction to AI Navigation
Week 7: Basics of Modeling
• Focus: Deepen understanding of atmospheric lighting and its impact on the mood and tone of virtual environments.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Lighting II: Atmospheric Lighting
o Advanced Post-Processing Techniques
Week 8: Custom Materials
• Focus: Explore the creation and application of custom materials for unique textures and surfaces.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Materials II: Custom Materials & Expanding Possibilities
o Advanced Material Editing
Project 2: Photo Series
Create a virtual world inspired by a memory, painting, photo, or video of a natural environment. Curate a series of 6 in-engine photographs that narrate the story of your world.
Week 9: Particles & Effects
• Focus: Introduction to Niagara for creating particles and effects in Unreal Engine.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Particles & Effects I: Niagara Fundamentals
o Creating Fire, Smoke, and Weather Effects
Week 10: Cinematic Techniques
• Focus: Learn techniques for capturing cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Camera II: Cinematic Techniques
o Sequencer II: Advanced Scene Editing
Week 11: Real-Time and Photorealistic Rendering
• Focus: Achieve photorealistic rendering and real-time lighting techniques.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Lighting III: Real-Time, Dynamic, Photorealistic Lighting
o Ray Tracing in Unreal Engine
Week 12: Speculative World-Building
• Focus: Imagine and create speculative worlds that extend or reimagine reality.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o World-Building Techniques
o Designing Futuristic or Alternative Worlds
Final Project: Vision of a Natural Future
Develop a speculative natural experience that extends reality or envisions the future. Projects can range from small-scale solutions to global scenarios, addressing unique themes and imagination.
Week 13: Advanced Effects and Final Touches
• Focus: Refine projects with advanced effects and prepare for the final showcase.
• Unreal Engine Topics:
o Particles & Effects II: Intermediate Niagara
o Final Touches: Optimization and Polish
Week 14: Thanksgiving Break
• Working on final project
Week 15: Student Work Week
• Focus: Dedicated time for students to finalize their projects and prepare for the final presentation.
• Activities:
o One-on-one instructor meetings
o Project work and revisions
o Review of course content
Week 16: Final Project Showcase
• Focus: Dedicated time for students to finalize their projects and prepare for the final presentation.
• Activities:
o One-on-one instructor meetings
o Project work and revisions
o Review of course content
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