1. Introduction

The goal of this tutorial is to provide a comprehensive overview of the Unreal Engine, a powerful game development engine used for creating 3D games and interactive experiences. You will learn how to set up the Unreal Engine, navigate its user interface, and create a basic project.

By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to:

• Install and set up Unreal Engine on your computer
• Understand the Unreal Engine user interface
• Create a simple 3D level with basic interactivity

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of programming concepts would be beneficial but not necessary as we will be using Blueprints, Unreal Engine's visual scripting system.

2. Step-by-Step Guide

2.1 Installing Unreal Engine

Firstly, download and install the Epic Games Launcher from Epic Games' official website. Once installed, open the launcher, navigate to the Unreal Engine tab and click on the Install button.

2.2 Navigating the User Interface

Unreal Engine's user interface is made up of several windows, each serving a specific purpose in the development process. Some of the most important ones are:

• Viewport: It's the main window where you can visually build and explore your game world.
• Content Browser: It's where all the assets for your project are stored and can be accessed.
• Details Panel: It provides information and allows you to edit properties of the currently selected object in the viewport or content browser.
• World Outliner: It lists all the objects in your current level.

2.3 Creating a Basic Project

To create a new project, click on the New Project tab in the Unreal Engine launcher. Choose a template for your project (for beginners, the "First Person" template is a good start), name your project, and click Create.

3. Code Examples

Unreal Engine uses a visual scripting system called Blueprints. Let's create a simple blueprint that moves an object up and down.

In your new project:

1. In the Content Browser, click on the Add New button and select Blueprint Class.
2. In the Pick Parent Class window, select Actor and name the new Blueprint "MovingPlatform".

Here's the blueprint setup:

Event BeginPlay
    Timeline
        Float Track (0.0 at time 0, 100.0 at time 2)
        Update
            Set Actor Location (New Location: Get Actor Location + (0,0,Float Track value))
        Finished
            Reverse from end

This blueprint starts at the beginning of the game (Event BeginPlay). It runs a Timeline that changes a float value from 0 to 100 over 2 seconds. This float value is used to move the Actor up and down.

4. Summary

In this tutorial, we've installed Unreal Engine, explored its user interface, and created a simple project. We've also created a basic Blueprint script to move an object.

To continue learning, you can explore more advanced topics like lighting, materials, and character controllers. Unreal Engine's official documentation and online learning platform are excellent resources.

5. Practice Exercises

1. Create a Rotating Platform: Using the skills you've learned, create a platform that rotates continuously.
2. Create a Bouncing Ball: Create a ball that bounces up and down continuously.
3. Create a Switch: Create a switch that, when pressed, turns on a light.

Each of these exercises will require you to utilize and build upon the skills you've learned in this tutorial. Solutions can be found in the Unreal Engine's official documentation and forums. Happy developing!