Introduction to Blueprints.pdf

Presented by: Carlo D. San Pedro The Blueprint Visual Scripting system in Unreal Engine is a complete gameplay scripting system based on the concept of using a node-based interface to create gameplay elements from within Unreal Editor. As with many common scripting languages, it is used to...

Presented by: Carlo D. San Pedro The Blueprint Visual Scripting system in Unreal Engine is a complete gameplay scripting system based on the concept of using a node-based interface to create gameplay elements from within Unreal Editor. As with many common scripting languages, it is used to define object-oriented classes or objects in the engine. As you use Unreal, you'll often find that objects defined using Blueprint are language referred to as just "Blueprints." In their basic form, Blueprints are visually scripted additions to your game. By connecting Nodes, Events, Functions, and Variables with Wires, it is possible to create complex gameplay elements. Blueprints work by using graphs of Nodes for various purposes object construction, individual functions, and general gameplay events that are specific to each instance of the Blueprint in order to implement behavior and other functionality. The most common Blueprint types you will be working with are Level Blueprints and Blueprint Classes. The Level Blueprint in Unreal Engine 3 functions similarly to Kismet, with each level having its own blueprint. It can manipulate Actors, control cinematics, manage level streaming, checkpoints, and other level-related systems. It can also interact with Blueprint Classes, setting variables or triggering custom events. Blueprint Classes are useful for creating interactive assets like doors, switches, collectible items, and destructible scenery. They contain scripts to respond to player overlap events, animate, play sound effects, and change materials. These self-contained blueprints can be dropped into a level with minimal setup, and editing a blueprint throughout a project will update every instance. The button and door set are examples of how these blueprints can be activated. The Construction Script is a Blueprint Classes graph that executes when an Actor is placed or updated, enabling faster creation of customizable props and quick room creation in Content Examples maps, despite initial time- consumingness. Blueprint script can create a game's HUD, similar to Blueprint Classes, containing event sequences and variables. It can read variables from other blueprints, display health bars, update scores, and add hit-boxes for buttons or touch input in mobile games. Whether you are building a Level Blueprint or a Blueprint Class, you will be using Blueprint Elements assembled in a Blueprint Editor. Different types of Blueprint Editor are available depending on the type of Blueprint you are working with. The core feature of most Blueprint Editors is the Graph mode, with its central Graph tab for laying out the network of your Blueprint. Blueprints offer a visual scripting language, incorporating data typed variables, arrays, and structs. They share execution flow with standard scripting languages, but require explicit linear execution for each node. Variables can be created in a variety of different types, including data types such as Boolean, integer, and float. They are color- coded for easy identification within your Blueprint. Blueprint variables can also be reference types for holding things like Objects, Actors, and Classes. Blueprints is a game engine that uses a white execution wire to execute events, with data flowing through colored wires to match variable types. It uses input pins to evaluate output pins, and pure nodes reevaluate outputs every time a node connects to them. This system is extremely flexible and powerful as it provides the ability for designers to use virtually the full range of concepts and tools generally only available to programmers. In addition, Blueprint- specific markup available in Unreal Engine's C++ implementation enables programmers to create baseline systems that can be extended by designers. Blueprints can be one of several types that each have their own specific use from creating new types to scripting level events to defining interfaces or macros to be used by other Blueprints. A Data-Only Blueprint is a Blueprint Class that contains only the code (in the form of node graphs), variables, and components inherited from its parent. These allow those inherited properties to be tweaked and modified, but no new elements can be added. These are essentially a replacement for archetypes and can be used to allow designers to tweak properties or set items with variations. A Blueprint Interface is a collection of functions that can be added to other blueprints, ensuring they have the same functionality. It's similar to an interface in programming, allowing different blueprints to share and send data. 1. Menu 2. Toolbar 3. My Blueprint 4. Details 5. Graph Editor “If you're not a good shot today, don't worry. There are other ways to be useful”