First, I found that UE's terrain editor and vegetation brushes offer a significant advantage over traditional 3D modeling for landscapes. These tools allow for rapid, dynamic adjustments and natural asset distribution, saving time and resources compared to manually creating terrain geometry.
I also learned that the Time of Day (TOD) system is far more comprehensive than simply rotating a directional light to mimic the sun. It incorporates ambient light adjustments, fog effects, and atmospheric color shifts that enhance realism and mood. For example, changing TOD impacts scene lighting and sky color, providing a realistic day-night transition. This taught me how various elements combine to create a cohesive environmental atmosphere.
Finally, while editing flocks of birds and schools of fish, I initially assumed these animated models would consume significant file space. However, they turned out to be lightweight visual effects rather than large 3D assets, demonstrating how particle systems and animation tricks can achieve complex effects with minimal impact on performance. These insights have greatly improved my understanding of efficiency and optimization in real-time environments.