Tamarar - 2DFactory – Advanced JSON Sprite Importer

Distribution Product Discussion
1

Blender Add-on, Documentation, Youtube

2DFactory is an advanced sprite sheet and JSON import pipeline for Unreal Engine, designed to extend and streamline the default Paper2D workflow.

Unlike Unreal Engine’s built-in JSON importer, 2DFactory provides a more complete and production-ready pipeline by supporting additional data and automation directly from your source files.

Key Features

  • Extended JSON Import

    • Import sprite sheets with additional metadata beyond the default system

    • Supports:

      • Custom pivot positions

      • Modular sprites (e.g. for sprite equipment)

      • Socket coordinate data (frame-by-frame)

      • Directions: forward, backward, ping-pong

  • Automatic Texture Integration

    • Detects and assigns additional baked textures:

      • Normal maps

      • Ambient Occlusion (AO)

      • Roughness

      • Emissive

    • Enables visually richer 2D assets with minimal setup

  • Seamless Blender Integration

    • Designed to work directly with the 2DFactory Blender Add-on

    • Re-import and update assets instantly when source files change

    • Enables a smooth iteration workflow between Blender and Unreal Engine

  • Right-Click Workflow Automation

    • Context menu integration inside the Content Browser:

      • Right-click folder or empty space → recursively extract or update all JSON files under the right-clicked folder

      • Right-click sprite sheet asset (JSON-based) → extract or update the selected JSON file

  • Batch Processing

    • Automatically finds and processes JSON files recursively

    • Great for large projects and bulk asset imports

  • Source-driven Updates

    • Without rebuilding everything manually, re-run extraction to update sprites data: grid, pivots, sockets, textures, etc.

Why Use 2DFactory?

2DFactory bridges the gap between content creation and in-engine implementation.
It eliminates repetitive setup steps and allows you to:

  • Author complex 2D data in Blender

  • Export once

  • Instantly reflect changes inside Unreal Engine

  • Greatly reduce repetitive work when setting paper sprites and flipbook in unreal engine

This makes it especially useful for:

  • 2D / 2.5D games

  • Sprite-based pipelines with lighting (normal/emissive)

  • Modular character systems

  • Animation-driven socket placement

Ideal For

  • Developers using Paper2D who need more control and automation

  • Teams working with 2D Sprites with Blender-to-Unreal pipelines

  • Projects requiring advanced sprite metadata (pivot, sockets, modular parts)