Unreal Engine. Character Interaction With an Object and Animation

Feb 19 · 8 min read

Let’s find out how we can implement a simple character interaction with a door mesh with some simple animation using Unreal engine 4.

Before we will start our exploration let’s take a look at what we will be creating (gif)

What will be covered in this story:

Creating a Door Blueprint
Adding Interact interface
Adding an interface to the Door Blueprint
Implementing event
Adding a collision to the Door mesh
Creating custom character and game mode
Adding interaction button
Implementing interaction
Adding animation to the door

We will start from a simple Unreal 3D-person project with starter content (don’t forget to include it at the beginning):

Next, we will remove all unnecessary objects from a scene:

Now we are ready to implement new features!🎉

Creating a Door Blueprint

We will use a simple door from a starter content that will consist of a SM_Door and SM_DoorFrame:

Now we will need to combine those into one object with the use of a Blueprint Class, let’s create one

Pick an Actor Class from the menu:

You should see something like this:

Open that Blueprint in the editor by double-click on a DB_Door icon:

Click on Add Component and add a Scene from a dropdown menu:

This is how the result should look like:

Now we will need to select our Static meshes and “attach” them to the components. We will start from a SM_Door:

And now select a SM_DoorFrame :

What should we get in the result:

Now, change the Mobility of the DoorRoot to Static :

Add Box Collision component into the DoorRoot (gif)

… and adjust collision props (approximately like in the picture).

This “area” will trigger an action when our character will collide with it.

Save your work and return to the main project window.

Adding Interact interface

Before we will add some “interaction” we will do it in a proper way at the beginning (not simple solutions, but proper ones 😉). In simple terms: if our “object” is interactable (implements the Interactable interface) — do something. Let’s begin…

Add a Blueprint Interface:

I will name it BPi_Interactable:

Open interface file in an editor:

Change Inputs → Interactor type to Actor :

And rename NewFunction_0 to Interaction and don’t forget to Compile:

Adding an interface to the Door Blueprint

Now we will need to open BP_Door file and click on the Class Settings. In the Interfaces tab add our newly created Interface BPi_Interactable:

You will see that Interfaces have updated:

Next, we will need to Implement an event. Right-click on an Interfaces → Interaction icon and click on Implement event:

Implementing event

After clicking Implement event - Event Graph will be opened:

In the Variables tab click on “+ Variable” and add a new boolean variable isClosed :

… and make it editable:

Now you can just drag n drop it into the Event Graph window:

We will need a reference to our door, so just drag and drop the “Door” static mesh to the Event Graph:

Create a “link” from our Door reference to the SetRelativeRotation that will allow our door to “open”:

Our final result should look like this:

Adding a collision to the Door mesh

Before we will use the door from the starter content we will need to add collisions. Without it, our character will go through that door.

To know more about Collisions you can check here:

Setting Up Collisions With Static Meshes

In UE4, you can have Static Meshes do many things, such as change its texture or material during gameplay, or move…

docs.unrealengine.com

Doble click on SM_Door:

This guide is not about collisions, so we will use a simple solution. Click on Collision → Add 26DOP Simplified Collision:

After that action, you will see a new collision grid on a door that will be some sort of a barrier:

Creating custom character and game mode

We will need to modify our character and a game mode. We will make an extension of existing functionality, not updating an existing default implementation:

In your /Blueprints folder create a new Child Blueprint Class from a ThirdPersonCharacter and ThirdPersonGameMode(right-click on them and select the Crete Child Blueprint Class menu item):