March 2010 Beta

Improved UDK Features and Tools

    * Autodesk FBX format support (FBX version 2010.2)
          o Static meshes, skeletal meshes and animations can now be imported from FBX files
          o  The FBX format is supported by many 3D modeling packages
                + including 3ds Max, Maya, and MotionBuilder.
          o Download FBX plug-ins from Autodesk
                + http://autodesk.com/fbx
                +  http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/FBXImporting.html

    * Interactive Static Meshes
          o  Static meshes can now be configured so that all instance of that mesh placed in a level can become dynamic and react with physics when shot or pushed, giving the environment a more interactive feel.
          o  The advantages of this implementation are:
                + Consistent behavior
                      # all objects using that mesh will be interactive, instead of it depending on level designer set up.
                + Transparent to meshing
                      # L.D.s don't have to do anything special, but they can prevent specific objects from being able to become dynamic when necessary.
                + These meshes are lit like any other static meshes until they move so there is no visual impact to using this system.
                + No additional performance or memory cost to these meshes except during the short period when a mesh is being physically simulated.
          o This system is intended for use with small decorative meshes that don't have any gameplay implications.
                + The interactivity is client-side and is not replicated.
          o http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Interact … eshes.html

    * New Attachment Editor
          o For displaying and modifying object relationships
          o  Lets you view and edit the attachment graph for a selected set of actors
          o http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Attachme … rence.html

    * mipmap sharpening
          o Increases perceived resolution of textures w/o memory or performance impact
          o http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ContentB … enSettings

    * Property window favorites
          o Simply mark a property as a favorite and it will always be displayed at the top of your property window.
          o Combined with the search capability, this will greatly stream-line data access in the Unreal Editor.
          o http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Property … l#Property Window Favorites

New UDN documentation

    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UDKCommunityLinks.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/EditorPa … edure.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CharacterEncoding.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Attachme … rence.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ColorPicker.html



Updated UDN Documentation

    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LevelBro … rence.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UnrealUnits.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/AnisotropicLighting.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CascadeUserGuide.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/InstancedMaterials.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Instance … rying.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Physical … ystem.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UnrealSc … rence.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/SCCIntegration.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LevelOptimization.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UIDataStore.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/AudioSystem.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UsingWaypoints.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CrowdSystem.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LitTranslucency.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/DebuggerInterface.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MainEditorToolbar.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/UE3MinSpecs.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/Creating … Alpha.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MaterialsTutorial.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CreatingNormalMaps.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MassiveLOD.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/CustomLighting.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/VisibilityCulling.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ParticleExamples.html
    * http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ShadowingReference.html

Additional documentation, code samples and more are available at the Unreal Developer Network (UDN):
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/DevelopmentKitHome.html