Unreal Engine 5 debuted last year displaying two technologies called Lumen and Nanite that with version 5.1 receive an update. “We’ve built the foundations of Lumen’s dynamic global illumination and reflection system, Nanite’s virtualized micropolygon geometry system, and virtual shadow maps (VSM) to support games and experiences running at 60fps on next-generation consoles and on ready PCs, so the most fast-paced competitive games and the most detailed simulations run without latency, ”explains Epic Games.
Additionally, Nanite has been updated to deform and animate with materials by compensating for positions in the environment and allow the use of opacity masks. Epic Game says that this advance “paves the way and allows artists to use Nanite to program the behavior of specific objects, such as foliage based on Nanite with leaves that move in the wind.”
On the other hand, Unreal Engine 5.1 introduces a number of features that improve the efficiency of game developers and other large-scale interactive projects. For example, with virtual resources it is now possible to decouple metadata from object data, automated Pipeline State Object (PSO) caching has been implemented for DX12, and enabled on-demand shader compilation. Epic Games is also highlighting improvements to the world building tools, which now have more features and improved workflows.
Those interested in knowing all the new features of Unreal Engine 5.1 can take a look at the long list of changes and news published by Epic Games. To download the graphics engine, all you have to do is go to the official Web.
Regarding the use of Unreal Engine, it is no secret that this engine is gaining more and more followers within the video game industry and also outside of it. Some studios continue to use their own tools, but others, like CD Projekt Red, have decided to do without them and bet on Unreal Engine. The Epic Games engine offers a powerful and robust set of tools that are within everyone’s reach.
