Get character to use custom character movement component

Development Programming & Scripting C++
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1

Hello!
I’ve fiddled around for quite a while with blueprints and I’m trying to make a transition over to C++. My learning project involves a character with a couple unique movement options like a double-jump and an air-dash, so I figured I’d create a class that inherits from the character movement component.

Now that I’ve successfully made my custom character movement component, I am attempting to get my character to use it. I first tried:

CharacterMovement = CreateDefaultSubobject<USTCharacterMovementComponent>(ACharacter::CharacterMovementComponentName);

within my character, but turns out CharacterMovement cannot be accessed, because it is private. What is the correct way to instruct my custom character to use my custom charactermovementcomponent in c++?

I’m pretty new to C++ specifically, so sorry for any obvious oversights. Thank you!

2

Can you paste the exact error ?

3

Absolutely.

error C2248: 'ACharacter::CharacterMovement': cannot access private member declared in class 'ACharacter'

Fairly certain this is because CharacterMovement was declared privately. I am just wondering what the ‘proper’ way to change the CharacterMovementComponent to a different component that inherits from CharacterMovementComponent is.

4

You’re right CharacterMovement is set to private. You will not be able to override it unless you modify the Character source code, which I guess, is not something you want to do.
Instead you should find another spot to put your custom movement logic, like why not in your derived character class directly ?
Otherwise you can attach your custom component to your character without specifically overriding CharacterMovement.
I am curious about how complex is your code you placed in your custom component ? I mean, what is the exact reason you need to derive and override the CharacterMovement ?

5

The custom movement code I have is very simple. To be honest, I just thought that was the ‘correct’ way to go about things, to put custom movement code in a module that handles it. There’s no reason I need to derive it at all, I suppose! I’ll simply put it in character from here on out, I suppose!

6

Yeah I totally agree with your reasonning. But if things are setup this way Epic guys must have a good reason too (there is a comment since 4.6 that deprecates the direct access to CharacterMovement)
Anyway, i am a bit useless here as I don’t see any other solution than writing your movement logic in the character itself or handling it in a standard inherited ActorComponent attached to your character.
Keep me in touch if you find some more answers.

7

You can override Character Movement Component in the constructor.
Instead of use default empty constructor, replace:

AMyCharacter::AMyCharacter()

to

AMyCharacter::AMyCharacter(const FObjectInitializer& ObjectInitializer) : Super(ObjectInitializer.SetDefaultSubobjectClass<UMyMovementComponent>(ACharacter::CharacterMovementComponentName))

Although it is for an older engine version, the Rama wiki it’s a usefull resource:

https://wiki.unrealengine.com/Custom_Character_Movement_Component

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