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Request: BSP Improvements

Unreal Engine Feedback for Unreal Engine team
#1

Hello,

I’m enjoying using Unreal Engine 4, however after some extended use I feel that the BSP tools could be improved compared to the rest of the feature set. Here’s a few specific issues I have encountered when using them to block out levels:

  • With the “Update BSP Automatically” setting on: freezing when editing or adding brushes in a map containing around 50, and long freezing when CTRL + Z’ing changes (I realize while the number of brushes increases, the calculation time becomes greater, but freezing for over 10 seconds is unworkable)
  • Resizing faces results in unexpected behavior: http://s.alanedwardes.com/2014-06-16-4i6u6p.mp4
  • (could be a training issue on my part)- Brush origins often get offset from geometry, have to be manually moved back (an auto-reset to median point feature would be nice): http://s.alanedwardes.com/2014-06-16-8E6A24.png
  • Crashes to desktop when using BSP tools (I’m not able to cite any causes for these, they seem completely erroneous. During an hour of work UE4 generally crashes around 5 times, but only when using BSP tools - it’s stable with everything else. I always submit crash dumps for these.)

Aside from that, they’re extremely powerful blocking out tools. Subtractive brushes are especially cool :slight_smile:

#2

+1

I am also seeing crashes with brushes (I think the term BSP is a misnomer and should be avoided, brush/csg is more accurate); I think my crashes are actually when using CTRL+Z after doing various brush manipulation.

Here are some things to add to the list (unless I am simply doing something wrong, in which case please tell me):

  • Cannot create a working Blueprint from brushes; creates an empty BP and replaces your selected brushes with the empty BP!
  • Transform is not exposed so its difficult to line things up or build to strict coordinate/size guidelines
  • Should be an option to cook all brushes to static meshes (assuming there is actually a performance benefit based on other posts on perf related to brushes)

Other issues/bugs that hurt usability:

  • When creating a static mesh from multiple selected brushes, if a folder is also selected the static mesh will be empty
  • When creating a static mesh the brushes are replaced, this should be optional as the brushes are lost at this point unless map is backed up or reloaded without being saved
  • Brush properties such as shape, hollow, etc. should be hidden once a brush has been modified beyond these meanings (i.e. a box re-shaped to a wedge should not show box, or let you change to another primitive shape without warning); changing this after the fact causes loss of work (brush is reset)
#3

Cool, cheers. I’ll add the points to the OP if the thread gets any bigger. Not sure how many of mine are me doing something wrong either, but I guess either way it’s good feedback for the team :slight_smile:

#4

Hi AlanEdwardes,

There are some known stability issues with BSP/Geometry brushes. The are primarily used for blocking out levels as you’ve indicated. We do have on our Trello UE4 Roadmap
for BSP/Geometry brushes to get an overhaul. It’s currently on the Backlog/Wishlist and will be addressed at some point in the future but is not currently planned.

Thank you!

Tim

#5

Okay, thanks Tim. I’m sorry to hear that it’s not planned, but at least it’s recognized as an area needing attention.

Cheers.