How do you setup a First Person game but still use the third person mesh for shadowing?

Here’s how I did it;

Create new project as First Person Template (Blueprints)

Make it so no one else can see your First Person mesh

Blueprints > MyCharacter > Components > Mesh1P > Rendering > Only Owner See (checked)

Add your 3rd Person mesh:

Blueprints > MyCharacter > Components > Add Component > Skeletal Mesh (I named mine “Mesh3P”, as there is already Mesh1P for the first person mesh)

Mesh3P > Mesh > Select “HeroTPP”

Mesh3P > Rendering > Owner No See (checked)

Remember to position the mesh nicely so that it has the correct rotation + position to align with the First Person Mesh.

Enable self-view of 3rd Person shadow, even though 3rd person mesh is hidden from self;

Mesh3P > Lighting > Cast Shadow (checked)

Mesh3P > Lighting > Cast Hidden Shadow (checked)

Animate the the 3rd Person Mesh

Mesh3P > Animation > Animation Mode > Use Animation Blueprint

Mesh3P > Animation > Anim Blueprint Generated Class > ASP_HeroTPP_AnimBlueprint

The “ASP_HeroTPP_AnimBlueprint” blueprint comes with the free Animation Starter Pack from the library. I did try it with the default TutorialTPPAnimBlueprint but ended up with a static shadow following me everywhere with his arms locked out to the sides.

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