metaverseDubai/docs/BUILDING_PIPELINE.md

Building Pipeline - Dubai Metaverse

Overview

This document describes the complete pipeline for creating building assets for the Dubai Metaverse project, from modeling to final placement in Unreal Engine.

Pipeline Stages

1. Planning & Reference

Reference Collection

• Photography: Collect reference photos
• Architectural Plans: If available
• Material References: Glass, concrete, metal samples
• Context: Surrounding buildings, scale reference

Asset Planning

• Building Type: Residential, commercial, mixed-use
• Priority: Tier 1 (hero), Tier 2 (primary), Tier 3 (background)
• Specifications: Dimensions, materials, details
• Timeline: Estimated completion date

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2. Modeling

Blockout

1. Basic Shape: Create basic building shape
2. Scale Verification: Verify scale is 1:1
3. Proportions: Check proportions match reference
4. Placement: Place in blockout level

High-Poly Modeling

1. Main Structure: Model main building structure
2. Architectural Details: Add windows, balconies, details
3. Rooftop Elements: Add rooftop features
4. Base Structure: Model base/podium

Low-Poly Modeling (if not using Nanite)

1. Optimization: Create optimized low-poly version
2. LODs: Generate LOD0-3
3. Topology: Clean topology for performance

UV Mapping

1. UV Layout: Create UV layout
2. UDIM: Use UDIM for hero assets (8K)
3. Standard UVs: Use standard UVs for primary/background (4K/2K)
4. Optimization: Optimize UV space usage

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3. Texturing

Substance Painter

1. Project Setup: Import mesh, set resolution
2. Bake Maps: Bake normal, AO, curvature
3. Texture Creation: Create texture sets
4. Export: Export textures (see TEXTURING_WORKFLOW.md)

Texture Sets

• Base Color: Material colors
• Normal: Surface detail
• Roughness: Surface roughness
• Metallic: Metallic map
• AO: Ambient occlusion

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4. Material Creation

Material Setup

1. Create Material: Create material asset
2. Assign Textures: Assign texture maps
3. Configure: Set material properties
4. Parameters: Expose parameters for instances

Material Library

• Shared Materials: Use shared materials where possible
• Instances: Create instances for variations
• Documentation: Document material usage

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5. Import to Unreal

Import Settings

• Nanite: Enable for high-poly (hero/primary)
• LODs: Generate LODs for non-Nanite
• Collision: Auto-generate or custom
• Scale: Verify 1:1 scale

Material Assignment

1. Assign Materials: Assign materials to mesh
2. Test: Test in level
3. Adjust: Adjust materials if needed
4. Validate: Validate visual quality

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6. Placement & Integration

Level Placement

1. Place Building: Place in level
2. Position: Verify position matches blockout
3. Orientation: Check orientation
4. Scale: Verify scale

Integration

1. Lighting: Test with lighting
2. Shadows: Verify shadows
3. Reflections: Check reflections (glass)
4. Performance: Test performance

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Building Categories

Hero Buildings (Tier 1)

• Count: 1-2 buildings
• Quality: Maximum (8K textures, Nanite)
• Examples: Cayan Tower
• Pipeline: Full pipeline with maximum detail

Primary Buildings (Tier 2)

• Count: 20-40 buildings
• Quality: High (4K textures, optimized geometry)
• Examples: Marina residential towers
• Pipeline: Full pipeline with high detail

Background Buildings (Tier 3)

• Count: 30-50 buildings
• Quality: Standard (2K textures, simplified geometry)
• Examples: Generic modern buildings
• Pipeline: Simplified pipeline, procedural where possible

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Quality Standards

Geometry

• Hero: Maximum detail, photoreal quality
• Primary: High detail, recognizable features
• Background: Simplified but recognizable

Textures

• Hero: 8K (UDIM workflow)
• Primary: 4K
• Background: 2K

Materials

• PBR Workflow: All materials use PBR
• Consistency: Maintain consistency across assets
• Performance: Optimize for performance

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Naming Conventions

Static Meshes

• Format: SM_Building_Category_Number
• Examples:
  • SM_Building_Marina_01
  • SM_Building_Support_01

Materials

• Format: M_Building_Type_Resolution
• Examples:
  • M_Building_Glass_4K
  • M_Building_Concrete_4K

See NAMING_CONVENTIONS.md for details.

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Performance Optimization

Nanite

• Usage: All static meshes where possible
• Benefit: High-poly without performance penalty
• Target: 100% of static meshes use Nanite

LODs

• Usage: Non-Nanite assets
• LODs: LOD0-3 for primary, LOD0-2 for background
• Generation: Auto-generate or manual

Material Optimization

• Shared Materials: Use shared materials
• Instances: Use material instances for variations
• Complexity: Minimize shader complexity

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Validation Checklist

Modeling

• Scale is correct (1:1)
• Proportions match reference
• Geometry is clean
• UVs are optimized

Texturing

• Textures meet resolution requirements
• All texture maps are present
• Textures are artifact-free
• Colors are accurate

Materials

• Materials are assigned correctly
• PBR workflow is correct
• Materials look realistic
• Performance is acceptable

Integration

• Building placed correctly
• Lighting works correctly
• Shadows are correct
• Performance is acceptable

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Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: Building scale is wrong

• Solution: Check import scale settings
• Solution: Verify reference dimensions

Issue: Textures not displaying

• Solution: Check material assignment
• Solution: Verify texture import settings

Issue: Performance issues

• Solution: Enable Nanite
• Solution: Generate LODs
• Solution: Optimize materials

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Tools

Modeling

• Blender: Free, recommended
• Maya: Professional alternative
• 3ds Max: Alternative

Texturing

• Substance Painter: Primary tool
• Substance Designer: Procedural materials
• Photoshop: Additional editing

Import

• Unreal Engine: Direct import
• FBX: Standard format
• Datasmith: For CAD data (optional)

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Version: 1.0 Last Updated: [Current Date]