In part ten of this tutorial series, I will show you how to quickly make your own glass material in UE5.
Settings
Under the Plugins window, make sure you have the Modeling Tools Editor Mode plugin activated
To access the Modeling Tools, you need to go into Modeling Mode
Make sure you add a Folder where you want to automatically store the models you make within UE5
Open the Folder
For the New Asset Location – change this to the Folder you just made
This means that anything you create with the Modeling Tools will automatically be saved in this Folder
Creating Meshes
Using the Modeling Tools, you can create Static Meshes within UE5
Under the Create Panel, you can use the Extrude Poly tool to draw out a shape and then extrude it by moving the cursor up along the Z-Axis
Then click on Complete when you are done
You will see this mesh now being saved to your Folder
You have other Output Types that can be created but for this tutorial, we will stick with Static Mesh
You also have other Draw Mode options – along with sub-options for each Draw Mode option
You can also change the Extrude Mode, Snapping, and Material options
You also has many other options to create various models within Unreal
For example, you can choose the Box mesh and make a simple Cube in the world – clicking on Accept when you are done
The Extrude Path allows you to draw out a path and then move your mouse to determine the interior depth of your mesh
Once you click the LMB, you can then extrude up along the Z-Axis
Deforming Meshes
You also have multiple options for Deforming meshes
For instance, you can use the Warp tool to warp any mesh using the Gizmo
Select the Mesh and then select the Warp tool
You can then use the Gizmo to warp the Mesh
You also have a Lattice option which allows you to use Vertices to make changes to the mesh
Select your Mesh and then select the Lattice tool
You can use the LMB to either select individual Vertices or click and drag to box-select multiple Vertices
Then use the Gizmo to make changes
Grouping, Combining, & Boolean
You can group objects by selecting the meshes and then use CTRL + G to group them together
If you need to ungroup objects, use SHIFT + G
It is also possible to combine meshes
You can, for example, add a Cylinder and a Box and intersect them
You can select both meshes and under the XForm panel, choose Merge
If you need to separate the merged objects, you can use the Split option
You also have the option to use Booleans to deform a mesh
If you select the Cube and then SHIFT-select the Cylinder, you can use the Boolean tool under the Model panel to cut a hole in the Cube
Editing Meshes
You can also edit models within the UE5 Modeling Tools
To change the pivot of any model, go to the xForm panel and select Edit Pivot
Then move the Gizmo to where you want the new Pivot and then click on Accept
You can also deform models using the Modeling Tools – just like you did with the Static Meshes