Best way to change/tune variables/settings during runtime/PIE?

Development World Creation
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1

I currently work on a project where the core gameplay is implemented but, since it is physics-based, now needs lots and lots of fine-tuning (several variables in the physics manipulation blueprints, weight of actor, center of mass offset, damping…).

My current “workflow” is:

  • hit the play button
  • play a few seconds / minutes
  • change one (or two) variables a bit
  • start from the beginning

I was wondering, therefore, if there is a way to manipulate variables during runtime, in order to see the effect of changes more quickly? Is there an option in UE4 or a plugin for this purpose? :slight_smile:

I am asking since I can’t be the first to experience this challenge and my do-it-yourself plan seems to be much work for something which will not be part of the game later:

  • Creating a UI which exposes all relevant variables
  • Creating blueprints which forward changes in UI to the real variables (if this is even possible during gameplay!)
  • A save functionality which stores changes in variables so that changes are not lost when game window is closed (and the changed values can be loaded the next time)
2

You can simulate rather than running the game, works the same as using F8 to inspect from a remote camera. Wont work for items with a player controller though, they will stop at that point.

You could also drop a BP actor in the world which takes configuration info from a widget.

3

Thanks for the idea, but the physics in question are all related to a pawn possessed by the player controller.

I played a bit with the simulate-option but could not get it to work properly.