Final answer:
Sketch a top-down map for a scene with indoor and outdoor elements, take photos showing different light directions, and use these insights to create a light plot. This will guide the implementation of lighting in Unreal Engine, ensuring your lighting design enhances the narrative and mood of your scene.
Step-by-step explanation:
Creating a scene in Unreal Engine that includes both indoor and outdoor elements requires a thoughtful approach to lighting design. Start by sketching a simple top-down map of your scene in your logbook. Make sure to indicate key elements such as buildings, landscape features, and any special props or characters. Moving on to direction of light, you would explore different light angles by taking photos with light coming from the front, left, right, overhead, and below. Using these photos, you can better understand how light direction affects the appearance of subjects. Finally, consider the quality of light and how it influences the mood and realism of your scene. By reviewing these photos and selecting the best representation of each light direction, you can communicate to a lighting team through a light plot how to recreate your lighting concept in Unreal Engine accurately.
A light plot is crucial for implementing your lighting design, as it acts as a map for electricians. It includes specific details such as the placement, focus area, color, texture, and control channel of each lighting fixture. The qualities (hardness, diffusion, color temperature) of light used will contribute to the overall ambiance of your scene. Different qualities of light evoke different emotions and can be manipulated to suit the narrative of your scene.
As you develop your scene, remember to also review the basics of lighting design, as well as additional online resources to learn advanced lighting techniques. Finally, keep your portfolio in mind, as documenting your process through sketches and photo examples will be crucial for reviewing your progress and presenting your skills at the end of your course.