February 12, 2026 | Quebec

In an article published on The Rookies, Aren Sekeryan, a graduate of the  3D Modeling Animation Art and Design - NTL.0Z  program at CDI College, breaks down his complete workflow for building an outdoor environment in Unreal Engine 5.5. Created as a final academic project, the piece offers a clear and realistic look at how planning, iteration, and technical choices come together in a real-time environment production pipeline.

Starting With a Strong Concept

The project begins with a carefully selected concept. Before opening any 3D software, Aren analyzes the original artwork, identifies key elements, and gathers visual references for architecture, materials, and natural assets. This early preparation ensures that every production decision supports a consistent visual direction.

Planning the Production

To stay on track, Aren organizes the project into a three-month production schedule, separating research, blockout, asset creation, and final polish. He also makes strategic decisions about where to invest his time, choosing to source certain vegetation assets externally so he can focus on building custom props tied directly to the scene’s narrative.

The Importance of Blockout

A significant portion of the project is dedicated to blockout, an essential step in environment art. Working directly inside Unreal Engine, Aren establishes the terrain, camera angle, and major shapes early on. This allows him to test scale, composition, and readability before committing to detailed modeling.

By validating the scene at this stage, he avoids costly revisions later in production and ensures the environment works visually from the intended viewpoint.

Modular Assets and Efficient Texturing

Once the layout is locked, Aren builds the cabin and structural elements using a modular approach. This method keeps the scene flexible while maintaining visual consistency. For texturing, he creates a custom trim sheet in Substance 3D Painter, combining wood and metal materials to efficiently texture multiple assets without sacrificing quality.

Storytelling Through Props

Beyond technical execution, the project emphasizes environmental storytelling. Props such as tools, weapons, and surrounding objects are carefully chosen and placed to suggest the presence and lifestyle of an unseen character. Aren prioritizes assets based on their visual and narrative impact, ensuring each element serves a purpose within the scene.

Iteration and Optimization

A key takeaway from Aren’s article is the importance of iteration. The environment evolves through continuous refinement, with frequent visual checks and adjustments. From a technical standpoint, the workflow follows game production standards, including low-poly modeling, high-poly sculpting, texture baking, and optimization for real-time performance.

To handle a dense forest environment, the scene makes use of instanced foliage and Nanite, allowing for high detail while maintaining performance.

Lighting and Atmosphere

The final look of the environment is achieved through lighting and post-processing. With tracing enabled, Aren balances contrast, shadow detail, and overall mood. Directional lighting, skylight, and subtle post-processing adjustments guide the viewer’s eye and reinforce the scene’s atmosphere.

Read the Full Article on The Rookies

This project is a strong example of how artistic vision and technical discipline come together in professional-quality environment work.

Read the full article on The Rookies: https://discover.therookies.co/2025/12/29/planning-and-execution-the-artists-cycle-for-unreal-engine-environments/

Credit: This summary was written by CDI College based on the original article by Aren Sekeryan, published on The Rookies.

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