Is it possible to have static Meshes share the same Timeline but different play rate?

Development Programming & Scripting Blueprint
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1

Hi everyone,

Assume I have 8 static meshes, and they are separated into 3 different groups. They all need to do something with the same timeline but at different times. You may see the picture below for more detail.

ShareTimeline
ShareTimeline920×229 3.72 KB

However, I encountered some issues.
I tried to duplicate the timeline. However, whenever I duplicate the timeline, a new one is created. I don’t want to manually set the timeline again. That is labor intensive.

I know there is a set play rate node that allows users to alter the play rate of the timeline. Is it possible to start the 2nd action before the 1st action ends?

2

Hey YTCK! Welcome to the forums!

For this, could you possibly just use 3 separate tracks and 3 separate output within the timeline, and just put the first key in each line where you’d like the other static meshes to start?

3

create a timeline , then add two key create a float curve, one key value is 0 , another is 1 :

image
image1939×675 22.1 KB

then you can do this , for example you timeline have 5s, in 4s the float curve value maybe 0.8, so you can create you logic like:
image
image1810×695 114 KB

4

Hey again @YTCK!

I’m gonna show you what I was talking about.

So this is what the timeline will look like. You can add multiple outputs to the timeline, and then have a different float output for each. Here I have ABC, DEF, GH on separate floats going from 0 to 1 at different times. Hope you can use this to get what you’re going for!

image
image1928×1048 149 KB

image

1 Like
5

Hi Mind-Brain

Do you know if there is any way to use the curve without the timeline?

It is that inside the components the timelines cannot be used…

I had to simulate one by the hard way…

11
111920×916 154 KB

I couldn’t find any other way to do it.

Maybe you know a way to use the curves inside the components…

thx u so much!!

6

Whoa, nice blueprint math there Ivan3z!

But no, can’t use a timeline inside a component, BUT on the actor it’s attached to you can run a timeline, and set the value on the component from there. Just drop the component on the actor’s event graph and set the value :wink:

1 Like
7

Ok, I’ll do that if I have to… I really try to make my components with the max abstraction level as possible. It’s a pity not being able to use the curves.

Thank you very much MainBrain!! :sparkling_heart:

8

You could use timers inside of components with an update function and take in a curve but in c++. Not sure if it’s possible in bp.

variables in header


	float passedTime;
	UPROPERTY(editAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite)
		class UCurveFloat* TimelineCurve;
	
	UPROPERTY(editAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite)
		class UTimelineComponent* MyTimeline;
	
	FOnTimelineFloat InterpFunction{};

	UFUNCTION()
		void TimelineUpdate(float val);

in cpp

include at top

#include "TimerManager.h"
#include "Components/TimelineComponent.h" 
#include "Curves/CurveFloat.h"

in constructor (CDO)

UMySceneComponent::UMySceneComponent()
{
	TimelineCurve = CreateDefaultSubobject<UCurveFloat>(TEXT("Timeline Curve"));		
	MyTimeline = CreateDefaultSubobject<UTimelineComponent>(TEXT("Timeline"));		
}

in begin play

void UMySceneComponent::BeginPlay()
{
if (TimelineCurve != nullptr) {
		InterpFunction.BindUFunction(this, FName{ TEXT("TimelineUpdate") });
		MyTimeline->AddInterpFloat(TimelineCurve, InterpFunction, FName{ TEXT("doUpdate") });
	}
	MyTimeline->SetLooping(true);
	MyTimeline->SetPlayRate(1);
	MyTimeline->SetTimelineLengthMode(TL_LastKeyFrame);
	MyTimeline->PlayFromStart();
}

and add your update function

void UMySceneComponent::TimelineUpdate(float val) {		
 // do something
}
1 Like
9

Also, timelines support vector tracks:

3x static meshes, single timeline, single track. Each mesh does its own thing. And timelines can load a curve dynamically too.

You could use timers inside of components with an update function and take in a curve

Speaking of which, sampling a curve with a timer inside a component is a thing as well.

2 Likes
10

Thank you very much 3DRaven

I have taken screenshots of this.
Sooner or later I will have to convert my project to C++.

I know C++ well. But I started with BluePrints because I thought that this way I would learn to use Unreal faster. I think I did well because there is a lot to learn. I think I’ve been learning unreal for about 6 months now… I’m a complete newbie XD

I really appreciate your help!! :sparkling_heart: