Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint Beginner Tutorial Notes

Jul 16, 2024

Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint Beginner Tutorial

Introduction

  • Overview of Blueprints: Visual scripting system of Unreal Engine 5.
  • Importance: Useful for creating games, tools, short films, and interactive products.
  • Aim: Explain Blueprint basics, how to create and use Blueprints.

Blueprint Basics

  • Blueprints: Visual scripting system to create games, tools, UI, AI, etc.
  • Blueprint Editor user interface: Viewport, Construction Script, Event Graph, Components, Details.
  • Movement template example: Third-person template with character movement, camera input, and jump input using Blueprints.

Blueprint Editor Deep Dive

  • Viewport: Use for viewing and editing the 3D model components.
  • Construction Script: Stores logic executed before the game starts.
  • Event Graph: Main area where Blueprint logic is executed during the game.
  • My Blueprints Panel: Holds all graphs, functions, macros, variables, and event dispatchers linked to the Blueprint.

Creating Blueprints

  1. Create Blueprint Node:
    • Right-click -> Add Event Begin Play.
    • Use Print String to display messages or values during gameplay.
  2. Variables:
    • Boolean: True/False (e.g., isDead variable).
    • Integer: Whole numbers.
    • Float: Decimal numbers.
    • String: Text strings.
    • Vector: Three floats representing 3D coordinates.
    • Rotator: Three floats representing rotation angles.
    • Transform: Combines vectors and rotators (location, rotation, scale).

Example Blueprints

  1. Door Blueprint:
    • Components: Door mesh, collision box.
    • Logic: Open and close door with smooth rotation using Timeline.
  2. Hat Pickup:
    • Components: Hat mesh, collision sphere, text prompt.
    • Logic: Equip hat to character and destroy the pickup object.
  3. Damage Box:
    • Components: Damage box collision.
    • Logic: Apply damage over time when the player overlaps with the box.
  4. Health Box:
    • Components: Healing box collision, particle effect.
    • Logic: Heal player over time when they overlap with the box.
  5. Soccer Game:
    • Components: Soccer goal mesh, soccer ball mesh.
    • Logic: Detect ball goal using collision, spawn particle effect, and respawn the ball after scoring.
  6. Hit Actor (Obstacle):
    • Components: Static hit actor mesh, collision capsule, rotating movement component.
    • Logic: Hit player and apply impulse to simulate physics (ragdoll effect).

Additional Tools and Techniques

  • Blueprints for creating tools: For Unreal Engine workflow efficiency.
  • Instance editable variables: For flexible variable setups in-game.
  • Socket Attachments: For attaching items to characters (e.g., weapons and armor).
  • Health Bar Widget: Creating UI elements to display game information.
  • Event Binding: To set events dynamically.

Conclusion

  • Blueprint proficiency: Essential for game development in Unreal Engine 5.
  • Follow-up content: Tutorial series to cover intermediate and advanced Blueprint concepts.
  • Resources: Premium courses for more detailed Unreal Engine learning.