So I started thinking about learning Unity in depth since our final project at the Art Institute will probably use this platform. I’ve been tapping around a bit in UnrealScript (I’m mostly a UDK guy) and I can see how scripting gameplay mechanics (and not gameplay events) can be easier with Unity’s C# (though I'm very fond and agile with Kismet). I opened my first session and tried to block out a simple level which turned out to be a real pain. I looked at what I had and instantly thought “it would’ve taken me half the time to do that in Unreal”. I searched around for WhiteBoxing tools and finally found two tools that are possibly even better than the one’s Unreal offer (even with auto updating BSP visualization clicked in the preferences). Pro Builder 2 and Pro Grids are the tools I’m talking about. Pro Builder lets you create simple shapes and iterate on them through face extrusion and other 3D modeling manipulation (verts, faces and edges manipulation). There’s even an option to switch the normals of a particular shape (very convenient on walls for a “see inside” effect). The only downside is that there's no CSG operations available with the tool (unless it's hidden somewhere or dealt with automatically). The other one (Pro Grid) is simply a snap to grid tool that works perfectly. Every object in the scene responds to the grid and WhiteBoxing is simply a breeze with it.
Official website for the developers of the tools: http://www.sixbysevenstudio.com/wp-flexible/
Official website for the developers of the tools: http://www.sixbysevenstudio.com/wp-flexible/