ArchViz Lighting in UE5 with Pasquale Scionti

ArtStation
7 Apr 202215:51

TLDRThis tutorial showcases the process of lighting an interior scene using Unreal Engine 5 and its Lumen system. It begins with importing 3D models from various software and focuses on setting up the primary light source, the sun, through a window. The video delves into adjusting post-process settings, enhancing highlights with rectangular lights, and fine-tuning the overall lighting with features like light shafts and local exposure. The goal is to achieve a balanced and realistic lighting effect that brings the scene to life in real-time.

Takeaways

  • 🎥 The tutorial demonstrates how to light an interior arch using Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen.
  • 🎨 3D models can be imported into Unreal Engine 5 using the Data Smith plugin, with examples from 3ds Max, Blender, or Maya.
  • 🏠 The scene includes various assets like furniture and props, some of which are from Evermotion and Quixo Mega Scans.
  • 🛠️ The tutorial covers the process of exporting and importing models with Data Smith, emphasizing selecting the correct file type and settings.
  • 🌞 Unreal Engine 5's Lumen and Reflection Lumen are used for global illumination and reflections, providing real-time rendering.
  • 📐 The tutorial explains how to set up the primary light source, such as the sun, using Sun and Sky settings for latitude, longitude, time zone, and north offset.
  • 🔆 Post-process settings like exposure, directional light intensity, and sky atmosphere are adjusted to achieve the desired lighting effects.
  • 🖼️ The importance of balancing the brightness and shadows in the scene is highlighted, using features like local exposure and detail strength.
  • 🎨 Color grading is discussed, with a focus on achieving a warm tone for the sunlight and adjusting the overall scene temperature.
  • ✨ The use of Lumen for enhancing highlights and creating more visually appealing scenes is emphasized, including the creation of rectangular lights.
  • 📈 The tutorial provides tips on using post-process volume settings to improve scene contrast, texture sharpness, and local exposure balance.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the tutorial?

    -The main topic of the tutorial is how to light an interior arch using Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen.

  • Which software is used to create the 3D models in the tutorial?

    -3D Studio Max is used to create the 3D models, but the tutorial also mentions that other software like Blender or Maya could be used.

  • What is the source of some of the structure and small props used in the scene?

    -Some of the structure and small props are from Evermotion.

  • How is the 3D model exported for use in Unreal Engine 5?

    -The 3D model is exported by selecting the model, choosing 'Export Selected', and then saving it as an Unreal Data Smith file.

  • What is the primary light source in the tutorial?

    -The primary light source is the sun, which is intended to shine through a window in the scene.

  • What are some of the settings adjusted in the project settings for rendering?

    -In the project settings for rendering, the tutorial uses Lumen for GI and Reflection, with hardware ray tracing and shadow maps turned off.

  • How is the sun position calculator plugin utilized in the tutorial?

    -The sun position calculator plugin is enabled to accurately position the sun in the scene based on geographical data.

  • What is the purpose of the rectangular light created in the tutorial?

    -The rectangular light is created to enhance the highlights of the models, fitting perfectly inside the window to create a more realistic lighting effect.

  • What new feature in Unreal Engine 5 Preview 2 is mentioned in the tutorial?

    -The new feature mentioned is called 'Local Exposure', which helps in adjusting the exposure levels within the scene.

  • What are some final adjustments made to the scene using the post-process volume settings?

    -The final adjustments include setting the local exposure, detail strength, temperature, contrast, and slope to fine-tune the look and feel of the scene.

  • How does the tutorial suggest enhancing the scene with contrast?

    -The tutorial suggests enhancing the scene with contrast by adjusting the gamma to 1.1 and using slope to make dark areas a bit brighter.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to Lighting with Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen

This paragraph introduces the tutorial's objective, which is to demonstrate how to light an interior arc with a scene using Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen. The speaker mentions the cinematic preview and the use of Datasmith plugin to import 3D models from various software like 3D Studio Max, Blender, or Maya. The assets used in the scene are credited to Evermotion and Quixo Mega Scans, with the speaker also noting the models they created themselves. The paragraph sets the stage for the detailed process of importing and setting up the 3D models within Unreal Engine 5.

05:03

🌞 Setting Up Sun and Sky Lighting

The second paragraph focuses on the process of inserting sun and sky lighting into the scene. The speaker explains the importance of enabling the Sun Position Calculator plugin and provides a step-by-step guide on setting values for latitude, longitude, time zone, and north offset. The paragraph details the adjustments made to the post-process exposure and directional light intensity to achieve a balanced and realistic lighting effect. The speaker also discusses the use of software ray tracing for shadow softness and the selection of a warm light color to match the sun's natural tone.

10:07

💡 Enhancing Highlights and Post-Process Settings

In this paragraph, the speaker enhances the scene by creating a rectangular light to fit perfectly inside the window, aiming to create highlights on the models. The difference between the scene with and without the light is highlighted. The speaker also introduces the feature of light shaft bloom and matches the bloom tint to the sun's color. The paragraph further discusses the inspection of post-process volume settings, including new features in Unreal Engine 5 Preview 2 such as local exposure, contrast scale, detail strength, and temperature adjustments. These settings are used to sharpen textures, enhance scene contrast, and fine-tune the overall lighting to achieve a visually appealing result.

15:10

🎉 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The final paragraph wraps up the tutorial by summarizing the process of lighting an interior arc with a scene using Lumen and Unreal Engine 5. The speaker expresses gratitude for watching the tutorial and offers assistance for any questions in the comments section. This paragraph serves as a closing remark, encouraging viewers to engage and learn from the content shared.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Unreal Engine 5

Unreal Engine 5 is a sophisticated game engine developed by Epic Games, widely used for creating high-quality, interactive experiences ranging from video games to virtual production. In the context of the video, it serves as the primary tool for designing and rendering a 3D environment, showcasing its capabilities in real-time lighting and rendering, which is central to the tutorial's theme of lighting an interior arc with scene.

💡Lumen

Lumen is a global illumination system introduced in Unreal Engine 5 that enables dynamic and realistic lighting in a scene. It works by simulating the light interactions within the environment, including direct and indirect lighting, to create a more natural and visually appealing result. In the video, Lumen is crucial for achieving the desired lighting effects, as it replaces traditional lightmapping and ray tracing, allowing for real-time adjustments and improvements to the scene's lighting.

💡Data Smith Plugin

The Data Smith Plugin is a tool used for importing 3D models and assets into Unreal Engine 5. It streamlines the process of transferring data from 3D modeling software like 3ds Max, Blender, or Maya to the game engine, ensuring compatibility and ease of use. In the video, the Data Smith Plugin is utilized to import various models and props, which are then used to construct the interior scene being lit.

💡3D Models

3D Models refer to three-dimensional representations of objects or characters that are used in computer graphics and game development. In the video, the creator uses 3D models for various elements such as furniture and props, which are essential for building the interior scene. These models are imported into Unreal Engine 5 and then arranged and lit to create a realistic and visually engaging environment.

💡Cinematic Preview

A Cinematic Preview refers to a pre-rendered or real-time demonstration of how a scene or sequence will look in its final, polished form. In the context of the video, the cinematic preview is used to showcase the potential outcome of the lighting tutorial, giving viewers an idea of the quality and style of the finished product. This preview is important as it sets expectations and motivates the audience to follow along with the tutorial.

💡Lighting

Lighting in 3D environments and game development refers to the process of simulating the behavior of light within a scene to create a realistic and visually appealing atmosphere. It involves the manipulation of various light sources, their properties, and their interactions with objects in the environment. In the video, lighting is a central theme, as the creator demonstrates how to use Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen to enhance the scene's mood and aesthetics through the strategic placement and adjustment of light sources.

💡Post-Processing

Post-Processing in the context of video production and game development refers to the process of modifying and enhancing visuals after the initial rendering or recording. This can include adjustments to color, exposure, contrast, and other visual elements to achieve a desired look or effect. In the video, post-processing is used to fine-tune the appearance of the scene, with adjustments to exposure, contrast, and other settings to create a polished and cinematic result.

💡Sun Position Calculator

The Sun Position Calculator is a tool or feature in Unreal Engine 5 that helps determine the accurate placement and rotation of the sun light source based on geographical location, time, and date. This ensures that the lighting in the scene corresponds with real-world conditions, adding to the realism and immersion of the virtual environment. In the tutorial, the Sun Position Calculator is used to set the primary light source for the scene,模拟 the natural lighting conditions.

💡Real-Time

Real-Time in the context of computer graphics and game development refers to the ability of a system to render and update visuals at the same rate at which they are displayed, creating a smooth and interactive experience. In the video, real-time is a key aspect of Unreal Engine 5's capabilities, allowing for immediate feedback and adjustments to the scene's lighting and other elements without the need for pre-rendering.

💡Indirect Lighting

Indirect Lighting refers to the light that has bounced off one or more surfaces before reaching the camera or a virtual light sensor. It contributes to the overall illumination of a scene and helps create a more natural and visually rich environment by simulating the way light behaves in the real world. In the video, the creator discusses adjusting the indirect lighting intensity to control the amount of light bouncing within the scene, which is an important aspect of achieving realistic lighting with Lumen.

💡Directional Light

A Directional Light is a type of light source in 3D environments that emits light in a specific direction without being affected by the position of the objects in the scene. It simulates natural light sources like the sun and is used to create shadows and define the overall mood of the scene. In the video, the creator uses a directional light to simulate sunlight coming through a window and discusses adjusting its intensity and color to match the desired lighting effect.

Highlights

Introduction to lighting an interior arc with scene using Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen.

Importing 3D models using the Data Smith plugin inside Unreal Engine 5, with examples from 3D Studio Max, Blender, or Maya.

Utilizing structure and small props from Evermotion, and furniture assets modeled by the speaker.

Exporting and importing models with Data Smith, emphasizing the real-time capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.

Exploration of the project settings in Unreal Engine 5, including GI (Global Illumination) and reflection settings.

Enabling the Sun Position Calculator plugin for accurate lighting.

Setting up the primary light source of the sun through a window and adjusting latitude, longitude, time zone, and north offset.

Adjusting post-process settings, including exposure and directional light intensity for a balanced and realistic look.

Creating a rectangular light to enhance the highlights of the models and fitting it perfectly inside the window.

Turning on light shaft blue for the directional light to match the color of the sun.

Observing the scene with detailed lighting to understand how shadows react.

Exploring the new Local Exposure feature in Unreal Engine 5 Preview 2 for more bright exposure.

Detail Strength feature to sharpen textures without inserting high values.

Adjusting the temperature to enhance the scene with contrast.

Setting slope to make dark areas brighter in the viewport.

Preferences for cinematic settings, including Lumen Scene Lighting Quality, Lumen Scene Detail, Final Gather Quality, and Reflections.

Conclusion and invitation for questions in the comments for further assistance.