Update changes are tagged with their corresponding version numbers throughout the wiki.
- [V10] Pack content that was added or updated in the current version.
- [V1] to [V9] Pack content that was added or updated in former versions.
- [V1 removed] to [V9 removed] Pack content that was removed from former versions.
¶ V10 Selection Update
Introduction
This update brings the assets of our latest demo application, new skin texture sets (e.g. for tattoos), a more customizable BP_CharacterEditor component, a networking adjustment for slower client connections, and a few bug fixes.
As a friendly reminder: Since [V6] Replication Update, please prefer using events and functions with
(Replicable)in their names over their similar events and functions without that name extension to use network replication, correctly, unless you build some very custom logic.
With that being said, let's kick off the news!
¶ Character Editor V10 Demo
- [Highlight] We have created a standalone demo!
Feel free to evaluate the major aspects of the Character Editor before hopefully joining our community!
The demo application is devided into 3 different singleplayer sub-demos, that showcase basic and advanced implementations. When purchasing the Character Editor, you get the full content of demo 1 and demo 2. Though, demo 3 is for showcasing only and not available through the marketplace.
See more details on how to download and use the demo on the Character Editor V10 Demo page.
- [Added] Added a new folder
CharacterEditor\StandaloneDemocontaining the logic of sub-demo 2 and 3. See more details on how to use the logic on the Standalone Demo page.
¶ Skin Texture Sets (Tattoos, Scars, etc.)
- [Highlight] With this version of the data table and its structures, you can manage Skin Texture Sets to display UV-space tattoos, scars, freckles, dirt, and other skin additions you may need. As an example, we have implemented tattoos.
¶ New Anatomy Profile V10
-
[Added] Added
FAnatomyBodyProfile_V10Skin Texture Setsstores a named list of skin texture sets, where the name is referenced inFSkinProfile_V10. TheBodyandHeadtexture sets can contain an arbitrary set of named textures, where the name is used to apply a texture parameter in the currently active basebody skin material. The material must contain the texture parameters with the identical names, spaces included. The actual look of the tattoo and other parameters like color are up to the material implementation.
-
[Added] Added
FAnatomyHeadProfile_V10Skin Texture Sets (Overrides)stores a similar list as above, but only for the head. The texture sets are merged, e.g. ifFAnatomyBodyProfile_V10defines the setsTattoo_01toTattoo_05, the overrides could only overrideTattoo_03andTattoo_04.
-
[Added] Added
DT_AnatomyProfiles_V10data table
¶ New Customization Profile V10
-
[Added] Added
FSkinProfile_V10and corresponding structures.Skin>Texture Setsstores names of the selected texture sets. It is meant to store one type ("Tattoo", "Scar", etc.) at a time, thus there cannot be bothTattoo_01andTattoo_02. Since the material on the basebody has to support that texture set anyways, you could use different keys for multiple tattoos, e.g.Tattoo_A_01,Tattoo_B_01.
-
[Added] Added
DT_CustomizationProfiles_V10data table
¶ Changes to BP_CharacterCustomizaton
- [Added] Function
GetCurrentSkinTextureSetsgets the texture sets that are currently selected. - [Added] Function
GetCurrentAnatomySkinTextureSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)gets all texture sets defined in the anatomy data table for the currently selected anatomy. This includes body and head textures by default, possibly overridden by head textures if defined in DT_AnatomyProfiles. - [Added] Function
SetSkinTextureSetssets the currently selected texture sets. - [Added] Function
SetSkinTextureSetsByKey (Replicable)sets a single texture set with a given key, e.g. "Tattoo", "Scar", etc. Calls eventSetSkinTextureSets (Replicable). - [Added] Function
UpdateSkinTextureSetsremoves old textures and applies the currently selected textures onto skin body and skin head MIDs. - [Added] Event
SetSkinTextureSets (Replicable)and corresponding to replicate functionSetSkinTextureSets. - [Added] Dispatcher
OnSet_SkinTextureSetsreturns the applied texture sets. It is called bySetSkinTextureSets. - [Added] Dispatcher
OnUpdated_SkinTextureSetsreturns the applied texture sets. It is called byUpdateSkinTextureSets. - [Added] Event
ApplyCustomizationProfile (NextTickActions)executesUpdateGroomone tick delays, as we noticed heavily broken Groom visuals after loading into a level with streaming levels included. This event is called from functionApplyCustomizationProfile.
-
[Updated] Refactored some functions. Some functions got renamed to better declare the expected return value.
(SelectedHead)returns selected head info from DT_AnatomyProfiles,(BodyOrSelectedHead)returns either body or head info, and(BodyAndSelectedHead)merges data partially. Some functions have been made impure, so they do not have to run their more complex filter logic repeatedly if their output is accessed multiple times. Some functions have different logic.-
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadAnimInstanceClass(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadAnimInstanceClass (SelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadMesh(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadMesh (SelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadProfile (Selected)(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyHeadProfile (SelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass (SelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentFaceVariants(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyFaceVariants (BodyOrSelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomyEyesMaterialSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomySkinMaterialSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass(pure)
GetCurrentAnatomySkinTextureSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)(impure) -
GetCurrentSkinMaterialSets(pure)
GetCurrentSkinMaterialSet(impure)
This function does not simply get all anatomy body skin material sets anymore, but the currently selected set (body and head) based onGetCurrentAnatomySkinMaterialSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)and the currentSkin Profile>Material Index -
GetCurrentEyesMaterialSet(impure)
This function gets the eyes material set based onGetCurrentAnatomyEyesMaterialSets (BodyAndSelectedHead)and the currentSkin Profile>Material Index, similar toGetCurrentSkinMaterialSet
-
-
[Updated] Use new impure getter functions to clean up update functions.
GetCurrentSkinMaterialSet(cleans upUpdateSkinMaterials)GetCurrentEyeMaterialSet(cleans upUpdateEyesMaterials)
-
[Updated] Moved logic from
GetSaveGametoCharacterEditorFunctionLibrary>LoadSaveGame. -
[Updated] Table Version Validation for data table
DT_AnatomyProfileswith new library functions -
[Updated] Updated the debug print nodes and removed them from localization.
-
[Updated] Updated all sorts of functions to use the new profile structures.
-
[Fixed] Call
UpdateBasebodyAnimInstanceAlphafromUpdateBasebodyto load those settings correctly during first setup. -
[Fixed] Debug macros were not showing their warnings and errors correctly, in some engine versions.
¶ Changes to Character Editor Function Library
-
[Added]
Upgrade Save Game from V9 to V10
Upgrades the save game to the latest version, by adding an empty texture set and eyes material index. -
[Added] Skin Texture Set helper functions.
GetSkinTextureSetsByKey
Gets a subset from the a skin texture set names array, filtered by a key. E.g. the array ("Tattoo_01", "Tattoo_02", "Tattoo_03", "Scar_01", "Scar_02") can be filtered for "Tattoo", returning array ("Tattoo_01", "Tattoo_02", "Tattoo_03")GetSkinTextureSetsByKey (Map)
Gets the same as the non-map version, but with names and texture set structures.GetSkinTextureSetDefaultTexture
Gets a texture fromDT_SkinTextureSetDefaultTexturesto use as a default if an texture set is none. The row name must be contained in the texture set parameter name. E.g. row "Mask" is used for any parameters like "Tattoo Mask", "Scar Mask", "Freckles Mask" etc. and row "Normal" is used for "Tattoo Normal" etc.
-
[Added]
LoadSaveGame
Contains the original and slightly updated save game loading logic fromBP_CharacterCustomization. -
[Added] Helper functions to make the save game loading process more easily maintainable.
GetLatestSaveGameVersionDetailsGetSaveGameSlotNameBeforeUpgradeGetSaveGameVersionDetailsAfterUpgrade
-
[Added] Helper functions to keep track of different latest pack and asset versions at one place.
GetCharacterEditorVersion=> V10GetLatestAnatomyProfileVersion=> V10GetLatestCustomizationProfileVersion=> V10GetLatestSaveGameVersion=> V10
-
[Added]
CustomizationProfileMetaDataEqualsCustomizationProfileMetaData
Compares two profile meta data. -
[Added]
FindParentWidgetRecursively
Finds a given parent widget class. Is used in the new demo customization widget to hide parent expandable categories if their containing apparel pickers have no children.
-
[Updated] Renamed widget function to match the new function
FindParentWidgetRecursively.-
FindWidgetRecursively
FindChildWidgetRecursively -
FindAllWidgetsRecursively
FindAllChildWidgetsRecursively
-
-
[Updated]
MakeAnatomyandBreakAnatomyto return all default enum values.
¶ Exchangeable Character Editor Actors & Widgets
- [Highlight] New class variables allow you to define the spawning of custom Camera Studio and Light Studio actors and the creation of custom Idle and Character Editor widgets, individually for each character that uses the
BP_CharacterEditorcomponent. The Character Editor widget class is mandatory, all others can be set toNoneif no actor or widget shall be used. The initialization flow has been enhannced with more debug logging.
¶ Changes to BP_CharacterEditor
-
[Added] Added functions to create the named actors or widgets
-
CreateWidget
Creates a widget based on a given class, which is validated for a given interface. A mandatory boolean controls the kind of debug information. -
FindOrSpawnAndInitializeCameraStudio
Does what the name describes. A camera studio may already be palced in the level for camera calibration and the function will take over that actor when called. -
FindOrSpawnAndInitializeLightStudio
Is similar to the camera studio function, but for the light studio.
-
-
[Added] Added new interfaces to call logic on the custom actors and widgets, with the listed functions.
-
CameraStudioInterfaceInitializeEnableDisableGetFocusedCharacterSetDisableBlendSetEnableBlendSetFocusedCharacterBodySocketSetViewTargetWhenDisabled
-
LightStudioInterfaceInitializeGetFocusedCharacterRelocateToCharacterSetProfile
-
IdleWidgetInterfaceInitialize
-
CharacterEditorWidgetInterfaceInitializeRefreshCharacterEditorRandomizeAllRandomizeApparelRandomizeAttachmentsRandomizeEquipmentRandomizeGroomRandomizeHairstyleRandomizeAllSetAnatomyToggleControls
-
-
[Added] Added several events to trigger interface functions on the custom Character Editor widget
RefreshCharacterEditorRandomizeAllRandomizeApparelRandomizeAttachmentsRandomizeEquipmentRandomizeGroomRandomizeHairstyleRandomizeAllSetAnatomyToggleControls
¶ Networking
- [Added] Replaced the
BP_CharacterCustomization> Server_Initialize 2-seconds-delay with a Wait Until Player Is Fully Connected logic to use a more sophisticated approach to support slower network conditions. The previous implementation caused clients with bad network conditions to keep their characters invisible after joing the server, since the 2-seconds-delay was insufficient.
¶ V9 Utility Update
Introduction
This update brings some new core features, alongside a vast amount of supporting functionality for using the Character Editor in your existing project. They shall help you better integrate the Character Editor with your work. If you have feedback, requests or are missing something, feel free to contact us as usual.
More Wiki page updates for the topics below may follow in the next weeks.
As a friendly reminder: Since [V6] Replication Update, please prefer using events and functions with
(Replicable)in their names over their similar events and functions without that name extension to use network replication, correctly, unless you build some very custom logic.
With that being said, let's kick off the news!
¶ Anatomy Profile V9 (Individual Head Anim Blueprints)
- [Highlight] With this version of the data table and its structures, you can manage Heads > Anim Instance Class (Override) to use individual Anim Blueprints for each head. Modern development approaches may split animation behavior and logic into separate Blueprints, especially when they tend to get more complex. Thus, we wanted to give that support to you.
- [Added] DT_AnatomyProfiles_V9 data table and corresponding structures
- [Added] Table Version Validation for data table
DT_AnatomyProfiles - [Added]
BP_CharacterCustomization>GetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass - [Added]
BP_CharacterCustomization>GetCurrentAnatomyHeadAnimInstanceClass
¶ Customization Profile V9 (Weight and Muscles for Meta Humans)
- [Highlight] Meta Human anatomy supports
WeightandMuscles!
Since Morph Targets are not natively available on Meta Human meshes,ABP_Manny/ABP_Quinngot a new Control Rigs approach to transform the skeleton instead of morphing the mesh. To streamline the implementation, we have also convertedAgeandSizetransforms to Control Rigs forABP_Manny/ABP_Quinn(UE5 skeleton) andABP_ma_CharacterEditor/ABP_fe_CharacterEditor(UE4 skeleton).
With the new Customization Profile V9 that data is now stored in the newBasebody> Anim Instance Alphas as named float values rather than fixed values (like the oldAgeandSize). All those "alphas" are passed to the basebody anim instance similar to how HDR color and scalar parameters are passed to materials, thus you can use them for custom functionality as well.
Furthermore, we refactoredABP_fe_CharacterEditor(female) to be a Child Blueprint ofABP_ma_CharacterEditor(male), likeABP_Quinn(female) is one ofABP_Manny(male). This way you only need to modify one Anim Blueprint to develop features on both male and female.
-
[Added] Added Customization Profile V9 > Basebody > Anim Instance Alphas
-
[Added] Added Table Version Validation for data table
DT_PresetCustomizationProfiles -
[Added] Added
Age,Size,WeightandMusclesControl Rigs toABP_Manny -
[Added] Added
AgeandSizeControl Rigs toABP_ma_CharacterEditor
-
[Updated] Replaced
CharacterAnimInstanceInterface>SetAge,SetSize, andSetFootTransformswith new genericSetBasebodyAnimInstanceAlpha, using the same function to pass newWeightandMuscles. -
[Updated] Updated
WBP_CharacterEditorshape sliders to use the new Anim Instance Alphas. Human and Meta Human sliders got distinct names, which describe how they control the shape:
MorphcallsSetBasebodyMorphTarget (Replicable)AnimcallsSetBasebodyAnimInstanceAlpha (Replicable)Multiis a custom example that callsSetBasebodyAnimInstanceAlpha (Replicable),SetBasebodyMorphTarget (Replicable), andSetSkinScalarParameter (Replicable), where the morph target and skin parameter are only available on our Human skin material.
-
[Updated] Replaced
BP_CharacterCustomization>OnSizeChangedwithOnSet_AnimInstanceAlphas(see New Event Dispatchers below for more details).BP_CameraStudiolistens for the new event and updates the camera location if namesAgeorSizegot changed.
¶ Set and Remove CDAs (Improvements)
- [Highlight] We improved the removal feature by introducing events and functions that properly remove profiles instead of setting empty profiles, also allowing to bind to dedicated removal event dispatchers (explained below). The set function can now properly be used to remove as well. Additionally, the functions have clearer names than before.
See Set and Replace CDAs and Remove CDAs for details.
-
[Added]
RemoveCDA...(Replicable)events remove one CDA with inputClassandIndex.Index = -1removes all CDAs of the given class.RemoveCDA_ApparelProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]RemoveApparel)RemoveCDA_AttachmentProfile (Replicable)RemoveCDA_EquipmentProfile (Replicable)RemoveCDA_GroomProfile (Replicable)RemoveCDA_HairstyleProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]RemoveHairstyle)RemoveCDA_Profile (Replicable)
(can be used for any of the above, includingBP_CustomizationDataAssetitself)
-
[Added]
RemoveAllCDA...(Replicable)functions callRemoveCDA...(Replicable)events with fixed values forClassandIndex = -1.RemoveAllCDA_ApparelProfiles (Replicable)(formerRemoveAllApparels)RemoveAllCDA_AttachmentProfiles (Replicable)RemoveAllCDA_EquipmentProfiles (Replicable)RemoveAllCDA_GroomProfiles (Replicable)RemoveAllCDA_HairstyleProfiles (Replicable)RemoveAllCDA_Profiles (Replicable)
(can be used to clear all CDAs from the character)
-
[Updated]
SetCDA...functions are now callingRemoveCDA...functions to properly clear the CDA instead of setting the CDA toNoneif an empty profile (withData Asset = None) is passed to the function.Still, keep calling
SetCDA...(Replicable)events instead ofSetCDA...functions for replication support.SetCDA_ApparelProfilesSetCDA_AttachmentProfilesSetCDA_EquipmentProfilesSetCDA_GroomProfilesSetCDA_HairstyleProfiles
¶ Randomize CDAs (Improvement)
- [Highlight] Added new randomization functions and renamed old ones. The new helper functions replace the hard-coded implementation of
RandomizeApparelandRandomizeHairstyleby using the Package Registry to get available classes dynamically, allowing you to also randomize any created custom CDA subclasses of Apparel, Attachments, Equipments, Groom, and Hairstyle.
See Randomize CDAs for details.
This feature is Blueprint-only and not implemented in
WBP_CharacterEditorwidgets. Currently, the editor has its own randomization functionality based on the CDA pickers' content.
-
[Added]
SetRandomCDA...(Replicable)randomize one CDA with inputClass,Index,Collection, andAcceptDebugAssets.SetRandomCDA_ApparelProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]SetRandomCDA_ApparelProfile)SetRandomCDA_AttachmentProfile (Replicable)SetRandomCDA_EquipmentProfile (Replicable)SetRandomCDA_GroomProfile (Replicable)SetRandomCDA_HairstyleProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]SetRandomCDA_HairstyleProfile)SetRandomCDA_Profile (Replicable)
(can be used for any of the above, except forBP_CustomizationDataAssetitself)
-
[Added]
Randomize...(Replicable)helper functions callSetRandomCDA...(Replicable)functions for every available class with inputClass,Index,Collection, andAcceptDebugAssets.RandomizeApparel (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]RandomizeApparel)RandomizeAttachments (Replicable)RandomizeEquipment (Replicable)RandomizeGroom (Replicable)RandomizeHairstyle (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]RandomizeHairstyle)RandomizeCDAs (Replicable)
(is used by the functions below, but can be used on its own to randomize any class)
¶ Streamlined "Get Current ..."
- [Highlight] To improve the communication between BP_CharacterCustomization and other Blueprints, we replaced all getter macros from
BP_CharacterCustomizationandWBP_CharacterEditorwith getter functions fromBP_CharacterCustomization. Besides that we added new ones to access all properties of the Customization Profile and renamed a few for consistency.
By having this "single source of truth" we remove duplicated code in other Blueprints. This also very useful when working with the new event dispatchers, outlined below. This way you may handle the customization in your custom Blueprints easier.
Except from the functions ones mentioned in the additions below, other new ones are simple quick accesses to the corresponding properties without any special logic.
- [Added] Added
GetCurrentCDA_Profiles_LastIndexandGetCurrentCDA_Profiles_Lengthto get the last index or length of the CDA profiles array associated to the given class. E.g. classBP_CDA_Apparel_Cor any of its child classes would return the last index or length of the currentCDA_ApparelProfilesarray.
-
[Updated] Replaced, renamed and added functions:
- Customization Data Assets
- Apparel
GetCurrentApparelProfileGetCurrentCDA_ApparelProfiles
- Attachments
GetCurrentAttachmentsProfileGetCurrentCDA_AttachmentsProfiles
- Equipment
GetCurrentEquipmentProfileGetCurrentCDA_EquipmentProfiles
- Groom
GetCurrentGroomProfileGetCurrentCDA_GroomProfiles
- Hairstyle
GetCurrentHairstyleProfileGetCurrentCDA_HairstyleProfiles
GetCurrentCDA_Profiles_LastIndex(new)GetCurrentCDA_Profiles_Length(new)
- Apparel
- Basebody
- Body
GetCurrentBodyProfile(new)
- Head
GetCurrentHeadProfile
- Morph Targets
GetCurrentMorphTargetsGetCurrentMorphTargetGroups(formerGet Current Morph Groups)
- Skin
GetCurrentSkinProfileGetCurrentSkinMaterialSets
- Eyes
GetCurrentEyesProfile
- Face
GetCurrentFaceVariants
- Anim Instance Alphas (new)
GetCurrentBasebodyAnimInstanceAlphas(new)
GetCurrentBasebodyProfile
- Body
- Customization Profile
GetCurrentCustomizationProfileGetCurrentCustomizationProfileMetaData(new)
- Anatomy
GetCurrentAnatomyGetCurrentAnatomyBodyAnimInstanceClass(new)GetCurrentAnatomyBodyMesh(formerGetCurrentBodyMesh)GetCurrentAnatomyBodyProfile(new)GetCurrentAnatomyHeadAnimInstanceClass(new)GetCurrentAnatomyHeadMesh(formerGetCurrentHeadMesh)GetCurrentAnatomyHeadProfile (Selected)GetCurrentAnatomyHeadProfiles(new)GetCurrentAnatomyProfile
- Customization Data Assets
¶ New Event Dispatchers
We introduced a lot of event dispatchers to hopefully support you with integrating the Character Editor with other systems.
¶ BP_CharacterCustomization
- [Highlight] All major
Set...andUpdate...functionality got corresponding event dispatchersOnSet_...andOnUpdated_...allow you to hook intoBP_CharacterCustomizationlogic, without needing you to modify the actual component. Functionality, that rebuilds mesh components also gotOnBefore_...event dispatchers. CDA-related functionalty gotOnAdded_...andOnSkipped_...event dispatchers. All dispatchers pass a reference to the callingBP_CharacterCustomization.
- [Added] Added event dispatchers to
BP_CharacterCustomization
- [Updated] Pass self reference on event
OnInitialized - [Updated] To demonstrate a first use-case, we have moved the apparel-specific settings from
UpdateAppareltoBP_Character:- Moved
Cleanup Foot TransformstoBP_Character>ClearApparelSpcificSettings, which is bound toBP_CharacterCustomization > OnBeforeUpdate_Apparel - Moved
Apparel-specific settingstoBP_Character > ApplyApparelSpcificSettings, which is bound toBP_CharacterCustomization > OnUpdated_Apparel
- Moved
- [Updated] Moved
BP_CharacterCustomization > UpdateEquipment > Equipment-specific attachmentstoBP_CharacterCustomization > AddCDA_Skeletal, which now natively supports attachments via pinsSocketNameandRelativeTransform.
¶ BP_CharacterEditor
- [Highlight] New event dispatchers before and after opening, closing, showing and hiding that are called as explained in the schema below. (Events are displayed in red, dispatchers in blue and general logic in grey.) All dispatchers pass a reference to the calling
BP_CharacterEditor.OnOpenedandOnClosedwere previously calledOnOpenandOnClose.
- [Updated] Pass self reference on event
OnInitialized,OnOpenandOnClose - [Updated] Handle multiple local Character Editors: extracted visual events from
OpenEditorandCloseEditor(as shown above)
¶ WBP_CharacterEditor
- [Added] Added
EquipmentGlobalbindings to HDR Color Pickers and Float Sliders, in case you want to add Global HDR Color Pickers or Global Scalar pickers for them
¶ BP_EventDispatcherTester
To test and see when the event dispatchers are called, you can use the scene Blueprint BP_EventDispatcherTester, while using the in-game editor. Place the actor in the level and assign the Character that you are about to control. The Character Customization reference will be set automatically, if it is a suiting character. We recommnd you to set the character's debug mode to Show Errors, Warnings and Verbose Information.
Afterwards, press play and take a look at the Output Log. Alongside the usual debug log, you will see all the called events in the form of warnings to make them visiually different. Besides their name, they print out the most relevant passed properties, you can use. If you can see something like x Morph Targets, x BodyMIDs or x HeadMIDs this refers to an array.
Take a look at BP_EventDispatcherTester on how you could use the different inputs. E.g. function PrintEventDispatcherInfo_AddedCDA_Profile shows you how to incorporate the CharacterCustomization input to call one of the Get Current ... helpers.
¶ Reorganized several functions
- [Highlight] In general, we moved several functions from different categories under one main category, so you can find them better by searching for "Data Assets" or "Customization Data Assets". Some functions got renamed along the way. Some functions are new and got explained in the previous chapters, already.
-
[Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization > Functions
- Customization Data Assets
AddCDA_Groom(formerAddGroomCDA)AddCDA_Skeletal(formerAddSkeletalCDA)AddCDA_Static(formerAddStaticCDA)CleanupCDAsSetRandomCDA_Profile (Replicable)(new)RemoveAllCDA_Profiles (Replicable)(new)RemoveCDA_Profile (Replicable)(new)UpdateAdvancedCDA_Options
- Customization Data Assets > Apparel
GetCurrentApparelProfileGetCurrentCDA_ApparelProfilesRemoveAllCDA_ApparelProfiles (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]RemoveAllApparels)RemoveCDA_ApparelProfile(formerRemoveApparel)RemoveDuplicateCDA_ApparelProfilesSetCDA_ApparelProfileSetApparelGlobalHDR_VectorParameterSetApparelGlobalScalarParameterSetRandomCDA_ApparelProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]SetRandomCDA_ApparelProfile)UpdateApparelUpdateApparelBasebodyMasks
- Customization Data Assets > Attachments
GetCurrentAttachmentProfileGetCurrentCDA_AttachmentProfilesRemoveAllCDA_AttachmentProfiles (Replicable)(new)RemoveCDA_AttachmentProfile(new)RemoveDuplicateCDA_AttachmentProfilesSetCDA_AttachmentProfileSetAttachmentGlobalHDR_VectorParameterSetAttachmentGlobalScalarParameterSetRandomCDA_AttachmentProfile (Replicable)(new)UpdateAttachments
- Customization Data Assets > Equipment
GetCurrentEquipmentProfileGetCurrentCDA_EquipmentProfilesRemoveAllCDA_EquipmentProfiles (Replicable)(new)RemoveCDA_EquipmentProfile(new)RemoveDuplicateCDA_EquipmentProfilesSetCDA_EquipmentProfileSetEquipmentGlobalHDR_VectorParameterSetEquipmentGlobalScalarParameterSetRandomCDA_EquipmentProfile (Replicable)(new)UpdateEquipment
- Customization Data Assets > Groom
GetCurrentGroomProfileGetCurrentCDA_GroomProfilesRemoveAllCDA_GroomProfiles (Replicable)(new)RemoveCDA_GroomProfile(new)RemoveDuplicateCDA_GroomProfilesSetCDA_GroomProfileSetGroomGlobalHDR_VectorParameterSetGroomGlobalScalarParameterSetRandomCDA_GroomProfile (Replicable)(new)UpdateGroom
- Customization Data Assets > Hairstyle
GetCurrentHairstyleProfileGetCurrentCDA_HairstyleProfilesRemoveAllCDA_HairstyleProfiles (Replicable)(new)RemoveCDA_HairstyleProfile(replaces [V7 removed]RemoveHairstyle)RemoveDuplicateCDA_HairstyleProfilesSetCDA_HairstyleProfileSetHairstyleGlobalHDR_VectorParameterSetHairstyleGlobalScalarParameterSetRandomCDA_HairstyleProfile (Replicable)(replaces [V7 removed]SetRandomCDA_HairstyleProfile)UpdateHairstyle
- Customization Data Assets
-
[Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization > Macros
- Customization Data Assets
Is CDA Visible
- Customization Data Assets
-
[Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization > Variables
- Customization Data Assets
HiddenCDA_ClassesPackageRegistry
- Customization Data Assets > Apparel
ActiveAdditionalMorphTargets_ApparelApparelMeshComponentsMID_ApparelGlobalsUseAlternativeSkinTextures
- Customization Data Assets > Attachments
AttachmentMeshComponentsMID_AttachmentsGlobals
- Customization Data Assets > Equipment
ActiveAdditionalMorphTargets_EquipmentEquipmentMeshComponentsMID_EquipmentGlobals
- Customization Data Assets > Groom
GroomComponentsMID_GroomGlobals
- Customization Data Assets > Hairstyle
ActiveAdditionalMorphTargets_HairstyleHairstyleMeshComponentsMID_HairstyleGlobals
- Customization Data Assets
-
[Updated] CharacterEditorFunctionLibrary > Utilties > Customization
- Customization Data Assets
DoesCDA_PassesFilterSettingsGetCDA_AssetDataGetCDA_FromAssetRegistryGetAdvancedCDA_OptionsGetFriendlyCDA_NameFilterLoadCDA_FromAssetData
- Customization Data Assets > Apparel
ApparelClassToMaterialParameterNameFilterCDA_ApparelProfilesByClassFindCDA_ApparelProfileGetAdvancedApparelOptions
- Customization Data Assets > Attachments
FilterCDA_AttachmentProfilesByClassFindCDA_AttachmentProfile
- Customization Data Assets > Equipment
FilterCDA_EquipmentProfilesByClassFindCDA_EquipmentlProfile
- Customization Data Assets > Groom
FilterCDA_GroomProfilesByClassFind CDA Groom Profile
- Customization Data Assets > Hairstyle
FilterCDA_HairstyleProfilesByClassFindCDA_HairstyleProfile
- Customization Data Assets
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Added] BP_CharacterCustomization > Set and Replace CDAs
- [Added] BP_CharacterCustomization > Remove CDAs
- [Added] Tutorials > Third Party Integration: Meta Humans > FAQ / Common Issues
- [Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization > Randomize CDAs
- [Updated] Moved Known Issue chapters to their corresponding tutorials:
- Groom to Tutorials > Third Party Integration: Groom for Meta Humans > FAQ / Common Issues
- Multiplayer to Tutorials > Package Project for Multiplayer > FAQ / Common Issues
¶ V8 Groom Update
¶ Groom
- [Highlight] Groom support has been extended after further evaluation! It is currently only supported for the MetaHuman anatomy and Groom assets are not delivered with this update. See further release notes and tutorial Third Party Integration: Groom for MetaHumans for details to learn how to implement your own Groom assets.
- [Added] BP_CDA_Groom got new child classes
BP_CDA_Groom_HeadandBP_CDA_Groom_Beard. - [Added] BP_CDA_Groom >
BindingAssetsreplacesBindingAssetto support multiple head meshes. - [Added] BP_CDA_Groom >
HiddenClassessupport has been added. - [Added] CDA Groom Pickers have been added for both head and beard classes.
- [Added] Float Sliders and HDR Color Pickers below the CDA pickers control the Groom material.
- [Added] Known Issues section for Groom.
- [Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization >
CreateMID_ByMaterialVariantnow creates Dynamic Material Instances on all material slots instead of only the first slot, ifMaterialVariantIndexof-1is given. This is necessary to support Groom coloring across different quality materials (Hair, Cards, Helmet).
¶ Performance
- [Highlight] LODSync component support has been introduced for all default Character Editor skeletal meshes from the
CharacterPartsfolder. This can reduce Prims (primitives count) up to less than 10% of the original asset quality, resulting in better FPS.
- [Added] LODSync explanation.
- [Added] BP_Character > LODSync component.
- [Added] BP_Character > Get LODSync Component interface function.
- [Added] BP_CharacterCustomization > Update LODSync Component function.
- [Added]
CharacterEditor_Showcase_Performancemap with 128 characters in the scene. - [Added] BP_Character > Use Skeletal Merging checkbox. (BETA feature)
- [Added] BP_CharacterCustomization > Update Skeletal Merging function. (BETA feature)
¶ Anatomy Profiles V8
- [Highlight] With this version of the data table and its structures, you can manage the Skin Material Sets, Eyes Material Sets, and Face Variants more straightforward on custom skeletal meshes like MetaHumans that can be adjusted with Character Editor controls. With these changes you are no longer tied to hardcoded material slot and face variant names as well as pre-defined materials on your different Anatomy skeletal meshes. Combined meshes (like our children) also benefit from the optional overrides approach on individual head entries which had been introdocued in V7 Customer Update.
- [Added] DT_AnatomyProfiles_V8 data table and corresponding structures.
- [Added]
BP_CharacterCustomization>GetCurrentFaceVariantsto pass face variants to Character Editor. - [Added] Float Sliders to control the MetaHuman eyes material.
- [Updated]
BP_Character>AnatomyDataTabledefault set toDT_AnatomyProfiles_V8. - [Updated]
BP_CharacterCustomization>AnatomyDataTabledefault set toDT_AnatomyProfiles_V8. - [Updated]
BP_CharacterCustomization> UpdateSkinMaterials - [Updated]
BP_CharacterCustomization> UpdateEyesMaterials - [Updated]
BP_CharacterCustomization>SetHeadIndexto update skin and eyes according to the new logic. - [Updated]
WBP_CharacterEditor>Event Graph>Initialize - Face Heads And Variants.
¶ Miscellaneous
- [Added] A verbose information log shows if a CDA was skipped due to hidden classs of other CDAs.
- [Added] Hidden Collections allow filtering collections out from
WBP_CDA_CollectionPicker. - [Added]
Base/Tutorial/folder with dedicated assets for a first tutorial with example content.
- [Updated] Hide unused
WeightandMusclesfloat sliders in MetaHuman anatomy. - [Updated] Disable unused
Skincolor picker in MetaHuman anatomy. - [Updated] Disable unused
Beta Featuresin MetaHuman anatomy and toggle them if they were open.
- [Fixed]
BP_Character_simple_no_editor_usagemorph target application. - [Fixed]
DT_CustomizationProfiles_V7was missing Basebody settings (morphs, skin, etc.). - [Fixed] CDA Collection Picker was not properly remembering its collection after switching anatomies.
- [Fixed] Character Editor Tools was removing Apparels instead of Hairstyle.
- [Fixed] Deleting Customization Profiles in the Profile Manager was not properly saved to the save game file.
- [Fixed] Restored square button styles in Character Editor widgets that got removed when Unreal Engine 5.0 introduced button
Outline Settingswith a defaultCorner Radiusof4.0, which did not match our style guide.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Added] Tutorial: Third Party Integration: MetaHumans
- [Added] Tutorial: Third Party Integration: Groom for MetaHumans
- [Added] Tutorial: Third Party Integration: Easy Survival RPG v4 (ESRPG v4)
- [Added] Tutorial: Third Party Integration: Advanced Locomotion System V4 (ALS V4)
(Updated version from PDF documentation) - [Added] Tutorial: Persist Current Customization Profile between different levels
(Updated version from PDF documentation with example content)
- [Updated] BP_Character structure and content.
- [Updated]
BP_CharacterCustomization> Function: Apply Customization Profile structure and content. - [Updated] WBP_CharacterEditor structure and content.
- [Updated] Character Editor Tools got an embedded YouTube video.
- [Updated] In-game Controls reorganized and added implementation details.
- [Updated] BP_Character > Character Controls references to the new implementation details.
- [Updated] Collections introduces explanations from previous updates.
- [Updated] CDA Loader was missing its image.
- [Improved] New change log structure, icons and hover tooltips on entries.
- [Improved] Links pointing to headings on the same page show a paragraph icon like: Example Link
- [Improved] Links in general are bolder now to emphasize connections to other topics.
- [Improved] Page navigation highlights the currently selected page.
- [Improved] YouTube videos can be embedded into the documentation.
- [Improved] Version badges are now less distracting: [V1] [V2] ... [V7] [V8]
¶ V7 Customer Update
This time we mainly focused on the direct needs and wishes of you, the customers.
Additionally, we launched this Wiki to support you in a more contemporary way.
Watch on YouTube: Character Editor Update
¶ Pack Content Changes
- [Added] Multiple Head meshes support in Anatomy Profiles data table, while keeping individual face variant morph targets.
- [Added] Randomization functions in BP_CharacterCustomization for RandomizeApparel and RandomizeHairstyle.
- [Added] Character Editor Tools utility widget to randomize your character from the Unreal Editor.
- [Added] Basic Groom Work-In-Progress support without any Customization Data Assets, yet, for evaluation.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Highlight] Wiki Documentation launched! PDF documentation will be deprecated.
- [Updated] Function: Initialize from Character Begin Play and Randomize CDAs to explain the randomization functions.
- [Updated] Basebody Profile, DT_AnatomyProfiles, and Index Picker to explain the multiple head meshes support.
- [Added] Package Registry and Character Editor Tools to explain the new editor utility widget.
- [Added] BP_CDA_Groom and CDA Groom Picker to explain the current status of that feature.
¶ V6 Replication Update
Note for returning customers:
You should read the updated BP_Character, BP_CharacterCustomization component and BP_CharacterEditor component sections from start to end, even if you already know the old ones by heart. They changed quite a lot.
¶ Pack Content Changes
- [Highlight] Replication support for the Character Customization and Editor.
- [Added] New map CharacterEditor_Showcase_Replication.
- [Added] BP_Character > “Preset Profile Names” variable, which lists all customization profiles of the currently assigned “Preset Data Table”.
- [Added] BP_Character > “Load Random Profile on Begin Play” variable, which is useful for testing replication and chooses a random profile from saved and preset profiles. Saved profiles overrule presets if they have the same name.
- [Added] BP_Character > “Anatomy Data Table”, which let you select a different set of anatomy profiles (e.g., for easily testing different body meshes on same anatomy profiles – had to be used by us because we were not allowed to submit MetaHuman meshes.)
- [Added] BP_CharacterEditorGameMode and assigned it as default in our showcase maps to test replication with BP_Character as default pawn.
- [Updated] Adult male and female mesh to both use the UE4 Mannequin.
- [Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization debug output, added a new debug level “detailed information” and updated BP_Character to show errors, warnings, and information by default.
- [Updated] Texture settings on all ID masks to use Default compression, because some of them were configured differently.
- [Updated] SetBasebodyMorphTarget functions to set morph targets on all meshes instead of just on the master pose mesh, as upgrading to UE4.27 made it necessary to do so.
- [Updated] Profile Manager to always load the current Anatomy Profile of the character even if the Manager was initialized with a closed Character Editor.
- [Removed] The necessity to load customization profiles from within the WBP_ProfileManager initialization if Character Editor shall open on initialization. Now, BP_CharacterCustomization handles all loading on its own.
- [Removed] Unused variant pickers from “Face > Nose”, “Face > Mouth” and “Face > Eyes” sections.
- [Removed] Deprecated map CharacterEditor_Showcase__LightStudio (with two underscores in the name).
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Added] Tutorial: Package the Project for Multiplayer (Dedicated Server)
- [Added] Known Issues section
- [Updated] “Using the Blueprints” section a lot to match the new features.
¶ V5 MetaHuman Update
¶ Content Changes
- [Highlight] Anatomy support for MetaHumans.
- [Added] Skeletal meshes ported to the MetaHuman TAL NRW body type. Some editor logic is not yet supported on MetaHumans like weight and eye variations.
- [Added] Pattern Blend known from apparel patterns to default skin material to support tattoos, paintings etc. originally used in the Barbarian asset pack.
- [Added] Dispatchers OnOpen and OnClose to BP_CharacterEditor.
- [Added] Support for inverted ranges in Float Sliders (Min greater than Max) as Lips Roughness had to be inverted, because of the “Lips Gloss” naming.
- [Updated] BP_Character to only initialize Character Editor component if controlled by a player to avoid spawning widgets for NPCs in your view.
- [Fixed] Hair color got reset on updating other CDAs.
- [Fixed] Children eye material could not be modified (color, iris & pupil scale).
- [Fixed] Material channel names on a few body and head meshes.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Updated] In-game Controls with a new control visualization.
- [Updated] Assigning CDAs to Anatomy Profiles to its own chapter.
- [Added] Using Default Anatomy [V5] to explain UE4 Mannequin setup.
- [Added] Using MetaHuman Anatomy [V5] including a YouTube tutorial.
¶ V4 Animation Update
Note for returning customers:
See Tutorial: Upgrade Character Editor from Version 2 to Version 4.
¶ Content Changes
- [Highlight] New CDA animation workflow and added it to all skeletal CDAs.
- [Added] Animated example CDA assets (see preset profile “Tyler”).
- [Updated] CDA logic including refactoring CDA classes to skeletal and static bases as well as including a new “Equipment” type.
- [Updated] All skeletons to be ready for Advanced Locomotion System V4.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Added] Tutorial: Add your own CDA animations to explain CDA animation workflow.
- [Added] Tutorial: Integrate Third Party Content: Advanced Locomotion System V4.
- [Added] Tutorial: Persist Current Customization Profile between different levels.
- [Updated] BP_CharacterCustomization, Customization Data Assets and Customization Profile to explain the new CDA logic.
¶ V3 Lighting Update
¶ Content Changes
- [Highlight] Light Studio.
- [Added] CDA initialization progress bar.
- [Added] Hand apparel to the Character Editor widget.
- [Added] Alternative skin texture support to CDA.
- [Added] Additional shortcuts.
- [Updated] System to hide other CDAs. (Hidden CDA Classes)
- [Updated] Collection Picker to switch to “Any Collection” when loading profile.
- [Updated] Randomization to consider material variants as well.
- [Updated] Various mesh skinning.
- [Updated] Various textures.
- [Updated] Apparel picker to carefully select applied apparel in all situations.
- [Improved] Compatibility to our other packs.
- [Improved] Performance when opening the Character Editor widget in editor.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Added] Introduced Version Tags.
¶ V2 Anatomy Update
¶ Content Changes
- [Highlight] New anatomy and collection system for Customization Data Assets.
- [Added] Boys and girl basebody.
- [Added] Beards to the male adults.
- [Added] Attachment CDA type (example: hammer).
- [Added] Wrinkle maps to a separate M_SkinAdvanced material.
- [Updated] Customization Profile structure.
- [Updated] How to save Preset Customization Profiles.
- [Updated] In-game Character Editor.
¶ Documentation Changes
- [Updated] Home section by adding a Core Component Overview.
- [Updated] “Using the Blueprints” a lot to match the new features.
- [Updated] “Using the Character Editor” as well.
- [Updated] “Tutorials” to give you more info for special cases.
- [Added] FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions section.
- [Added] Various more detailed information throughout the documentation.
- [Added] Many blue cross references to quickly navigate the documentation.
- [Added] Colored badges for you, who already know the pack from the initial release, to quickly find out where additions and updates happened throughout the documentation.