Variations of Blueprint characters

I used an actor blueprint to create a background character for cinematics, not game play.
If I wanted to duplicate this basic character a bunch of times in the scene, can I make texture variations?

Ideally, I would love to change out the textures on the duplicated generic character to create a diverse crowd.
Is there a way to do this? Do I use the “Variant Manager” or is there another way?

There’s plenty of solutions you can use!

You can create a variable(I’d use an int) that is instanced editable; Use this variable on your construction script and SwitchOnInt to change the material your skeletal mesh uses.

Alternatively, you can do this dynamically if you want the material to stay the same and just change parameters within the material by using dynamic material instances. If you’re planning on changing entire textures, disregard this solution as it’s only good for changing parameters at runtime. (Team Shirt Color, etc.)

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Is there a way to do this without code? How would I apply the material instances to the duplicate blueprints? If I edit one blueprint, they all seem to change. I would like to make the duplicated blueprint look random by swapping textures. There is no Construction script, i just duplicated the blueprint in the scene.

Yes, you can do it by expanding the details and selecting what you’d like to change and change it while in the Level Editor.

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I’m new to UE.
My Blueprint does not show the material or mesh in the Details panel, like yours.

Do I need to expose the material in the construction script so I can see the material when I click on the Blueprint and look at the Details panel?

O wait, I see.

  1. I click on the blueprint in the scene. This will show the contents of the blueprint.

  2. In the details panel I need to click on the static mesh i want to change the material on.

  3. Then the material will be exposed in the lower panel.

  4. Then I can drag in a new material to change the color.
    Thank you!!!

You’re welcome!