Add Blueprint-controlled colored outlines to Actors with runtime events, timed transitions, locking, and replication support.
Documentation:
https://github.com/givecode/ActorChromaOutline
Support:
https://github.com/givecode/ActorChromaOutline/issues
Actor Chroma Outline is a Blueprint-friendly Unreal Engine runtime plugin for adding colored outlines to Actors.
Add the Actor Chroma Outline Component to an Actor, place one Actor Chroma Outline Setup Actor in the level, and control the outline directly from Blueprint.
The included Setup Actor configures the level-wide post-process material and Custom Depth with Stencil environment. The Actor Component applies the required Custom Depth and Custom Stencil values to the owning Actor's Primitive Components.
Main Features:
• Five built-in outline colors: Blue, Green, Red, White, and Yellow.
• Enable or disable an outline at runtime.
• Change the outline color from Blueprint.
• Temporarily apply one color and automatically switch to another after a specified duration.
• Cancel an active timed outline transition.
• Lock and unlock outline changes.
• Read the active outline color from Blueprint.
• Receive Blueprint events when the outline changes or a timed transition finishes.
• Replicate the active outline color to remote instances.
• Assign gameplay groups such as Team, Enemy, Loot, Interaction, Friendly, Objective, Quest, Boss, and NPC.
• Apply the outline to Primitive Components owned by the Actor.
• Use the included Setup Actor, post-process material, material instance, and editor icon.
• Automatically checks r.CustomDepth and switches it to stencil mode only when required.
Basic Setup:
1. Place one Actor Chroma Outline Setup Actor in the level.
2. Add an Actor Chroma Outline Component to the Actor that should support outlines.
3. Call Set Outline, Show Outline, Hide Outline, or Set Outline With Duration from Blueprint.
The Setup Actor uses an unbound Post Process Component, so the outline effect applies throughout the level. It loads the included outline material by default and can optionally ensure that Custom Depth with Stencil is enabled.
Actor Chroma Outline is suitable for interaction highlighting, enemies, teams, objectives, loot, quests, friendly characters, NPCs, and other gameplay objects that need a clear visual outline.
Technical Notes:
• Runtime C++ plugin with Blueprint-callable controls.
• The active outline color is replicated.
• Outline rendering uses Unreal Engine Custom Depth and Custom Stencil.
• The Setup Actor changes r.CustomDepth to 3 only when stencil mode is not already active and the option is enabled.
• One Setup Actor should be placed in each level that uses the effect.
• The plugin currently includes five fixed display colors.
• Custom Depth and Stencil must be available for the post-process effect to render correctly.
Included Content
Content Assets: 3
• 1 Post Process outline material
• 1 outline material instance
• 1 Setup Actor editor icon texture
Blueprint API
Blueprint Component: Actor Chroma Outline Component
Blueprint-callable functions:
• Get Outline Color
• Show Outline
• Hide Outline
• Cancel Outline Duration
• Lock
• Unlock
• Set Outline
• Set Outline With Duration
Blueprint events:
• On Outline Changed
• On Outline Duration Finished
• Receive Outline Color Updated
Available colors:
• None
• Blue
• Green
• Red
• White
• Yellow
Available gameplay groups:
• None
• Team
• Enemy
• Loot
• Interaction
• Neutral
• Friendly
• Objective
• Quest
• Boss
• NPC