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Creating a custom Loading screen.

Your own loading screen

In this tutorial we are going to create our own loading screen for our UDK project. Before we can go any further, download the file below to continue.

DOWNLOAD:: RADtools.exe 1.3mb (Bink Video Website link)

STEP ONE

In this tutorial we are going to use Windows XP version of Movie Maker and Bink Video to make a flashing loading screen but any version of movie software and operating system will do.

(This is just a guide to get you started.)

I will make this as basic as possible so it is easy to understand so I am sorry if this tutorial seems a little brief. If you understand how this works you will be able to create more complex loading screens.

STEP TWO

Start Microsoft Movie Maker or movie software.

Select "File" and "New Project"

Select "Make titles or credits." (Image Left) Under the Topic "Edit Movie"

This option allows us to add text to the start of a "Movie."

Then we want to select "Add title at the beginning of the movie."

We want to select this so when the movie starts we have text without a long delay.

STEP THREE

Type in the text "LOADING"

Click "Done, add title to movie"

By default, you should have a 3.5 second video of the word "LOADING." It will have white text with a blue background. You can edit this but because the tutorial is short I am going to leave it out for now and leave it up to you.

Select Fade in and Fade out

Select My computer

STEP FOUR

From here we want the text to Fade in and Fade out.

Right click the movie clip you created and select Fade In and then select Fade Out.

So if you play the video now it will say the word "LOADING" with a fade in and fade out effect.

Now we need to save the project. Go to "File" and "Save Movie File" (Image below)

Under the topic "Save Movie Wizard" (Movie Location)

Select "My computer" (Image left)

Click "Next"

 

[1] Give your movie a name, any name will do because we are going to change it later.

[2] Select a location to where you are going to save it. For this tutorial I am selecting my desktop.

Click "Next"

Un-tick "Play movie when I click Finish"

Exit Microsoft Movie Maker.

STEP FIVE

Now, just to finish off select "Best fit to file size" (Note* Your file size may differ, mine is 188kb, the smaller the better too!!...but don't lower it too far because it may look poor, for now leave it alone.) Click "Next"

Un-tick "Play movie when I click finish" Click "Finish" and close Microsoft Movie Maker.

STEP SIX

Install Bink Video (RADtools) and read and agree with any licenses.

Start Bink Video

Locate the movie file you created with Microsoft Movie Maker using the option buttons in the Bink menu.

When located, click it and then click "Bink it!"

The Bink Compressor screen will load.

Under the topic "Output file info" should be the name of your file.

Leave all the settings default and click "Bink"

Movie will be formatted into a Bink Video.( Image Below)

Exit Bink Video and located the new Bink video file you created.

You can also use pictures and other "Non moving" images for your loading screen if you wish also. I thought it would be better to show you an ordinary Movie Maker can be used to make professional loading screens.

 

STEP SIX

Locate the following directory in your UDK install.

C:\UDK\UDK-2013-07\UDKGame\Movies

Cut or copy and paste the file you created into this directory.

Now, rename the file named: UDKFrontEnd.udk_loading to UDKFrontEnd.udk_loadingbackup

Rename your movie file to UDKFrontEnd.udk_loading

(Basically you are replacing the file with yours and made a backup of the original.)

We have finished!. Next time you load something in "Play on PC" mode you will have the movie you created.

HAVE FUN!!!!