SpeedTree wind animation not working with Nanite?

Development World Creation
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1

Cannot get speedtree wind to work with Nanite, it works fine without it. Are there other methods to get wind to work with Nanite meshes?

2

Hi Otters, here are some insights and potential solutions:

Understanding the Issue:

UV Channel Limitations: Nanite currently supports a maximum of 4 UV channels, whereas SpeedTree models often utilize up to 6 for various wind and LOD functionalities. This discrepancy can lead to wind animations not behaving as expected or not functioning at all when Nanite is enabled.

Potential Solutions:

  1. Modify SpeedTree Wind Material Functions:
    Adjusting the “SpeedTreeWind” material function within the “SpeedTreeMaster” material can address some wind animation issues. This involves editing the material to ensure compatibility with Nanite’s UV limitations.

Detailed steps and discussions on this approach can be found here: ​
https://forum.speedtree.com/forum/speedtree-modeler/using-the-speedtree-modeler/13949-issue-with-painted-pcg-foliage-in-unreal-engine-5-3

  1. Utilize Pivot Painter 2.0:
    Some developers have found success by exporting SpeedTree models using the Pivot Painter 2.0 method, which involves creating additional UV channels and textures for wind animation. This approach can be complex but offers a pathway to achieving functional wind animations with Nanite.

An example of this implementation is discussed in this article: ​

  1. Consider Alternative Wind Systems:
    Exploring other wind animation techniques or tools that are compatible with Nanite may provide a more straightforward solution. For instance, using Unreal Engine’s native foliage system with custom wind materials could be an alternative, though it may require additional setup and tweaking.​

Current Limitations:
It’s important to note that, as of now, achieving fully functional SpeedTree wind animations with Nanite is not straightforward and may require significant adjustments or workarounds. The community and developers are actively discussing these challenges, and future updates may address these compatibility issues.​

Further Resources:

For a comprehensive workflow on integrating Nanite with foliage, including wind setup, you might find this guide helpful:

Additionally, this video tutorial provides insights into setting up Nanite foliage with wind:

If you’re still facing challenges or have new questions, feel free to share.