You’re welcome! My idea was to help improve the UE4 to attract more developers, especially from Unity 3D. Your software is really great and I will be using it for my projects because there are all what I need. I don’t want to come back to Unity because this engine isn’t good for big projects. It’s bad that there are many features in UE4 that I haven’t learned yet.
The most important thing for me is C++. I know you have the very good Blueprint System, but I need learn C++ for my future project. Most C++ tutorials are obsolete. It’s really important that as soon as changes in coding are introduced with a new version of UE4, there should be one document (in pdf for example) describing all the changes and all what is needed to start coding; step by step and understandable for all who have some experience with coding. I know it is written somewhere in your big documentation and a part is posted on the forum. However, I think it would be great to have a downloadable pdf that all is described in short; and with that all every person with some coding experience will be able to start coding.
I have an experience with C++ and long one with other languages but I was completely lost how to start learning programming in C++ with Unreal. And many people are simple lost like me. I have spent a lot of time in seeking up to date C++ stuff to learn. Now, I know much more and I’m able to write my own classes.
Again, we should look at Unity 3D. They have the file templates that haven’t changed for a very long time. The Unity Developers changing the versions of Unity and they still have the same file templates, but the API of Unity is changing. It’s a very friendly way because even old tutorials can be still useful for beginners.
In general, it’s important not to forget about C++, even if you have so great the Blueprint System. I think the Unity Developers are accustomed to coding, so they would rather to use C++ than the Blueprint System. For me, for example, I started with C++, not with the Blueprints because C++ is similar to C# (and I have an experience with C++) and I thought I would learn how to use it quickly. No, I was forced to taste the Blueprints first to learn how to work with UE4. The Blueprints System is really good for artists and people who don’t like coding, but most of Game Developers are just coders and they are forced to use the Blueprints because they are unable to learn C++ in Unreal quickly.
Regarding the making blueprints with dragging and dropping actors, this system is in Unity and is really very useful. It’s one of best features of Unity. We are dragging objects all the time in Unity making prefabs in a quick way, so it’s fully accepted by the Unity Developers. And they will see something like that in UE4. It should be an option, but in reality can be useful for all. So it’s really good, the Epic Staff take into consideration.
As to the GUI of UE4, the Laptop Mode would be a very good feature too, because laptops will be more and more popular. Not all are true and professional Unreal Developers with a PC and a few monitors. In general, UE4 should be friendly for laptop users too or for people who have a PC with a smaller monitor. In general, however, making more space for the Viewport would be great for all. There are some graphics elements that aren’t used for real work, so they can be reduced.
I’m glad I was able to help you improve the UE4. It’s a really great software, but some things should done to make it more easy, universal and available for more people. Unity 3D is so popular because even kids can start making something in this engine. Unity is really easy to learn and is intuitive.
I wish you success in the game market.