ARK Dev Kit : F.A.Q, Documentation & Tutorials

[Ditsov]

Welcome to the Ark modding community.

This post should help you get started in modding ARK.

I strongly advise you to get started by reading this link first : http://www.playark.com/workshop/

IRC

If you have an IRC client connect to:
Server: irc.quakenet.org
Channel: #arkmodding

If you don't have a IRC client, I suggest getting mIRC.

Or connect using your browser: https://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=arkmodding

Useful links

Official :
http://www.playark.com/workshop/
https://sites.google.com/a/studiowil...documentation/

Unofficial :
Wiki : http://ark.gamepedia.com/Category:Modding
Steam Group : http://steamcommunity.com/groups/arkmodding

F.A.Q

Where to start ?

The ARK Dev Kit is a simplified version of the Unreal Engine 4 Editor specifically compiled to streamline the process of creating Mods & Maps for the Unreal Engine 4 game ARK: Survival Evolved, and to upload them directly to Steam Workshop for other users to download and play.

You should learn more about unreal engine with these resources :

https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/
https://wiki.unrealengine.com/Main_Page
https://forums.unrealengine.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/UnrealD...tKit/playlists

Sinarisinestro compiled a list of useful links & documentation which you can find HERE.

Where do I get the ARK Dev Kit?

You can get the ARK Dev Kit directly from the Epic Games Launcher. Simply Sign-Up, Download Unreal Engine, and go to the ARK tab!

Tools & Resources

ADK Launcher
ARK Server Manager Tool for Installing/Managing Mods on a Dedicated Server

Tutorials

Official
HOWTO: Get Variable Data From an Initiation File
FAQ & Tutorial: Getting Started with the ARK Dev Kit!
Ark Dev Kit Tutorial 1 - Making your first map!
Ark Dev Kit Tutorial 2 - Making your first mod!
Tutorial: Creating a core-data Mod
Quick Note: How to manually override the Steam PublishedFileID for your Map/Mod
Tech Note: Mods need to have their PrimalGameData named "PrimalGameData*" to function as a mod!


Non Official
How to : Translate ARK
How to : Properly Retarget Animations and Anim_BPs for Dino Resizing!
How to : Custom models for the Ark Dev Kit - Import Export
How to : Add new dinosaur variants
How to : Add new structure variants
How to : Make an Electric Fence
How to : Make your first map
How to : add a Particle System (like a green beam) to the Player Corpse
How to : import assets from UE4.9 to ADK
[Tutorial] Understanding item quality
[Tutorial] Import FBX Blenderfiles into ARK Dev Kit (for Static Meshes)
[Tutorial] Understanding Item Quality
[Tutorial] Basic UI Tutorial
Mass Editing Tip
Frankloco's youtube tutorials

[MechanizedIT]

Would it be possible to get an in-depth tutorial/guide on snap points, and all of the various options that have to do with placing structures?

[gankey69]

plz can we get


proper get owner of obj event function?

search function for objects eg if theres 10 cameras down it cant search for just 1

Plz and ty

[BrightstarVI]

Ditsov, can you add https://forums.unrealengine.com/show...g-Item-Quality

Please?

[Ditsov]

done

If i forgot any link, feel free to remind me.

[gankey69]

any idea when there going to release relevant content/tutorials/info (graphs, get owner,) ect



Heres what im talking about how easy was this like 2 mins >.<


put that in ur tutorial section

[Vindomire]

https://forums.unrealengine.com/show...rk-UI-Tutorial My Basic UI Tutorial.

[Ditsov]

thanks vindomire, added to the list

[gankey69]

can we get some info for the new guys ur trying to bring in its kinda just stabbing in the dark and hours of getting references just to find out its undo able with what u have exposed or just refuses to work... im thinking things like snap flag ids, some general info for the noobs, some actual info and graphs exposed and last but not least some eg. graphs for them.... im an experienced modder and sometimes i have a hard time doing things so i cant imagine how these guys ur bringing in feel since this is the most undocumented game known to man legit we do like 90% of ur documentation ourself how bout a hand

[Vindomire]

This is a major problem for me. Learning the stupid blueprint system to start. Learning the ue4 engine. .. and then trying to figure out how to do what I need with what is there... spent hours on a player list to find out other players aren't exposed to the client so the player list just shows the one player.... so much wasted time. I did a tutorial for the ui because so many people couldn't figure it out and the documentation is atrocious. I realize it's early release but you open the game and the tools.... you need to have the docs to back them up.

[Kenturrac]

This is a major problem for me. Learning the stupid blueprint system to start. Learning the ue4 engine. .. and then trying to figure out how to do what I need with what is there... spent hours on a player list to find out other players aren't exposed to the client so the player list just shows the one player.... so much wasted time. I did a tutorial for the ui because so many people couldn't figure it out and the documentation is atrocious. I realize it's early release but you open the game and the tools.... you need to have the docs to back them up.

All you just mentioned it given by UE4. Non of these problems are special for Ark. Go with the UE4 docs.

[Vindomire]

no it isnt all UE4, there are things that they have for ark only. Nodes that arent covered there about what they do or why they do what they do. There is no list of ARK Exposed variables on the UE4 documentation.

[Kenturrac]

no it isnt all UE4, there are things that they have for ark only. Nodes that arent covered there about what they do or why they do what they do. There is no list of ARK Exposed variables on the UE4 documentation.

I didn't say there is one. In your previous example you talked about a player list, the UI and the blueprint system as a whole and that is the same in UE4 and Ark. But following your logic they should only release the ADK if they would have docs backing them up. Let's say I disagree since I know that a lot of people in here created things that were possible without docs but impossible without the ADK.

[Vindomire]

im saying the adk being out is great but should of been release with docs, the UI isnt completely the same as UE4 in how it had to be called. The player list isnt the same either as it seems online players either arent exposed or the variable is undocumented and i cant find it. Granted i learned to design the UI from UE4 tutorials that was the smallest hurdle to getting it to actually show. im sure if they made what 34 million or something on prerlease and climbing they can afford a guy to write the docs.

[Kenturrac]

im saying the adk being out is great but should of been release with docs, the UI isnt completely the same as UE4 in how it had to be called. The player list isnt the same either as it seems online players either arent exposed or the variable is undocumented and i cant find it. Granted i learned to design the UI from UE4 tutorials that was the smallest hurdle to getting it to actually show. im sure if they made what 34 million or something on prerlease and climbing they can afford a guy to write the docs.

The UI is the same (as UE4 4.5) besides the fact that you need a different base class which is totally expectable since this is a Modding tool and not a game creation tool. About the playerlist I replied to you on your other thread.