Components

Understanding Actor Components

• Components Overview

• Actors = “bundles of components packed together”

• Add Components:

  • Click add button in top left
  • Can create custom components
  • Hover for tooltip explanations

• Static Mesh Components

• Key Properties:

  • Displays 3D assets
  • Empty by default • Must assign mesh in details panel
  • Has standard controls • Movement • Rotation • Scale

• Component Hierarchy

• Parent-Child Relationships

  • Children components indent under parents
  • Moving parent moves children
  • Example: • Weapon component -> attached to mesh • Point light -> can be child of mesh

• Instance Handling

• Instance = “copy of actor in world”

• Instance Components:

  • Found in details panel
  • Can modify individual instances • Changes won’t affect other copies
  • Can reposition components • No effect on original blueprint

• Axis Understanding

• X-axis = “typically regarded as forwards”

  • Visible in corner gizmo
  • Important for component rotation
  • Example: Rotating weapon 90° to face forward

Components form the building blocks of actors, allowing hierarchical organization and instance-specific modifications. Understanding their relationships and properties enables efficient actor creation and customization.