How to get the referenced texture from a material in runtime

YosomiChann · January 4, 2023, 5:19pm

I want to get the normal map from a material while I am gaming. I have some considerations, use TSoftObjectPtr, or get the texture from UMaterialInstanceDynamic*. But I am still wondering it works. I want to know if somebody can tell me a method.
Thanks.

Supremative · January 4, 2023, 5:30pm

You could get it with GetTextureParameterValue if your material is MaterialInstanceConstant or MaterialInstanceDynamic.

However, you have to know the name of your normal texture.

Supremative · January 4, 2023, 5:37pm

Collect all normal textures:

My Products

RecourseDesign · January 4, 2023, 6:24pm

Hi YosomiChann,

If you’re using c++ you can use the method “GetUsedTextures”, it’s in UMaterialInstance which UMaterialInstanceDynamic derives from.

YosomiChann · January 5, 2023, 5:01am

Thanks, RecourseDesign. I will check this way.

YosomiChann · January 5, 2023, 5:02am

Thank you, Supermative, I will try on this method.

YosomiChann · January 5, 2023, 9:14am

I tried “cast to material instance constant” from “get material”(a material interface) but failed, and no error appeared. do you have any idea?

Supremative · January 5, 2023, 9:20am

You have to use material instances.

YosomiChann · January 5, 2023, 9:28am

Seems I have to create materials instance for each material I use. I tried to create dynamic material instance and cast to material instance constant, then UE return a warning message. Thanks, I will try one more time.

Supremative · January 5, 2023, 9:35am

YosomiChann · January 6, 2023, 6:43am

Anyway, I tried these 2 way. First, I cant get texture parameter values from the dynamic material instance. Second, still failing in cast to material instances.
By the way, why cant I get texture parameter values from the material directly?

Supremative · January 6, 2023, 7:09am

The inspected material must be MaterialInstanceConstant or MaterialInstanceDynamic with a parent as MaterialInstanceConstant.
You shouldn’t create dynamic material to inspect textures. It doesn’t help if the material is not an instance.