# Unreal Directive

> Unreal Engine reference tools, articles, and editor tips.

Unreal Directive is a public reference site for Unreal Engine developers. It contains searchable datasets and authored guides for C++, Blueprints, editor commands, project structure, and gameplay systems.

## Website: https://unrealdirective.com

## Reference Tools

- [Project Standards](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/project-standards/): Asset naming conventions, folder structure, C++ coding standards, module organization
- [C++ Reference](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/cpp-reference/): Specifiers, replication, Blueprint-to-C++, pointers, collision, and the Gameplay Ability System
- [Smart Pointers & References](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/cpp-reference/smart-pointers/): Ownership, garbage collection support, and intended use for Unreal Engine pointer types
- [Collision Reference](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/cpp-reference/collision/): Channels, responses, presets, traces, overlaps, hit results, events, and debugging commands
- [Gameplay Ability System Reference](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/cpp-reference/gas/): Abilities, effects, attributes, cues, tasks, prediction, and tag integration
- [Editor Reference](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/editor-reference/): Console variables and keyboard shortcuts
- [Console Variables](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/console-variables/): Search 14,000+ commands by name, type, and engine version
- [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/keyboard-shortcuts/): Search 5,600 shortcuts by command, key combination, and editor context
- [Engine Plugins](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/engine-plugins/): Compare bundled plugins by category, maturity, and engine version
- [Blueprint to C++](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/cpp-reference/blueprint-to-cpp/): C++ equivalents for common Blueprint nodes
- [Content Browser Search Syntax](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/editor-reference/search-syntax/): Operators, keys, and example asset queries
- [Stat Commands](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/editor-reference/stat-commands/): Profiling and debugging stat groups
- [Gameplay Tags](https://unrealdirective.com/resources/gameplay-tags/): Tag reference, best practices, setup guide, integration patterns
- [Community Resources](https://unrealdirective.com/community/resources/): Community-submitted tools, tutorials, plugins, and projects
- [Developer Collection](https://unrealdirective.com/community/developers/): Unreal Engine developers and content creators

## Articles

- [Enhanced Input: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/enhanced-input-what-you-need-to-know/): From the basics to best practices, this is what you need to know about Enhanced Input
- [Blueprint Variables: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/blueprint-variables-what-you-need-to-know/): From the basics to best practices, this is what you need to know about Blueprint Variables
- [Blueprint Functions: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/blueprint-functions-what-you-need-to-know/): From the basics to best practices, this is what you need to know about Blueprint Functions.
- [Advanced Search Syntax: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/advanced-search-syntax-what-you-need-to-know/): Learn how to efficiently find assets in the content browser.
- [Data Validations: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/data-validation-what-you-need-to-know/): Learn how to validate and audit assets with custom-scripted rulesets
- [Core Redirectors: How to properly redirect your assets](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/core-redirectors-what-you-need-to-know/): Learn how to manually create redirectors in Unreal Engine
- [Modular Game Features: What you need to know](https://unrealdirective.com/articles/modular-game-features-what-you-need-to-know/): Learn about the new Modular Game Feature system in Unreal Engine 5

## Tips

- [Custom Primitive Data](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/custom-primitive-data/): Learn how you can use Custom Primitive Data to easily modify Scalar and Vector material parameters without needing Dynamic Material Instances.
- [The Visual Logger](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-visual-logger/): Utilize the Visual Logger to capture, visualize, and debug in-game events.
- [Post Process Pixelization](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/post-process-pixelization/): Learn how to quickly create a Pixel Shader effect for your Unreal Engine project.
- [The Format Text Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/format-text-node/): Utilize the Format Text node to integrate custom data into your text elements.
- [Actor Life Span](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/actor-life-span/): Utility the Life Span attribute to determine the duration of the actor’s existence.
- [Direct Object Array Functions](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/direct-object-array-functions/): Skip the iteration and execute object array functions directly.
- [Getter & Setter Functions](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/getter-setter-functions/): Utilize Getter and Setter functions to interact with variables in other objects.
- [The Switch Actor](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/switch-actor/): Utilize the Switch Actor to quickly switch the visibility of it’s child actors.
- [Camera Based Masking](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/camera-based-masking/): Utilize the cameras world position as a mask for your materials.
- [Regulate Emissive Exposure](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/regulate-emissive-exposure/): Utilize the EyeAdaption node to keep emissive materials consistency across difference exposure levels.
- [Quick Property Copy & Paste Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/quick-property-copy-paste/): Vastly speed up the copy and pasting of property values by using these handy shortcuts.
- [Reclaim Diskspace Vault Cache](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/reclaim-diskspace-vault-cache/): Reclaim lost hard drive disk space by clearing out the Epic Games Launchers Vault Cache.
- [The Vertex Interpolator Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-vertex-interpolator-node/): Similar to the Customized UV feature, the Vertex Interpolator Node offloads instructions from the Pixel Shader over to the Vertex Shader.
- [Timers and the Create Event Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/timers-and-the-create-event-node/): Connect a Timer to a Create Event node to enable a greater deal of flexibility.
- [Timers](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/timers/): Utilize Timers to execute a function or custom event after a given interval, which can be looped.
- [Temporarily Change Actor Pivot](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/temporarily-change-actor-pivot/): Utilize the ALT + Middle Mouse Button shortcut to temporarily change the actor's pivot point.
- [The Math Expression Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-math-expression-node/): Utilize the Blueprint Math Expression Node to quickly generate a collapsed node graph from a typed mathematical expression.
- [Named Reroutes](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/named-reroutes/): New in Unreal Engine 4.27 and Unreal Engine 5, you can utilize the Named Reroutes feature to help clean up your Material Editor.
- [Hide Editor Grid Lines](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/hide-editor-grid-lines/): Tired of the Editor grid lines and want a cleaner canvas? Then disable the Use Grids In The Material And Blueprint Editor option in the Editor Properties.
- [The Depth Fade Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-depth-fade-node/): Utilize the Depth Fade node to add depth blending to your world. This node is very useful for blending the intersection between meshes, water depth...
- [Rotate Mesh by Material](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/rotate-mesh-by-material/): Utilize the Rotate About Axis nodes to rotate meshes purely by the material. This offloads rotation computation from the CPU over to the GPU.
- [Custom Material UVs](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/custom-material-uvs/): Optimize the performance of your materials by utilizing the Customized UV's feature.
- [Show All Redirectors](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/show-all-redirectors/): Utilize the Redirectors Filter OR the Show Redirectors filter and the type=ObjectRedirectors search argument to display ALL of those pesky redirectors...
- [Save & Load Editor Layouts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/save-load-editor-layouts/): You can save, manage, and load your most commonly used Unreal Engine editor layouts.
- [Color Picker Themes](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/color-picker-themes/): You can drag and drop colors to the top of the #UnrealEngine color picker to save them within a theme.
- [Lighting Channels](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/lighting-channels/): Utilize Lighting Channels to fine-tune what components are illuminated by what lights.
- [Lumen Hit Lighting Reflections](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/lumen-hit-lighting-reflections/): Enable the Support Hardware Ray Tracing and the Hit Lighting for Reflections options in the Project Settings to achieve near Ray Tracing levels of...
- [The Audio Widgets Plugin](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-audio-widgets-plugin/): Enable the AudioWidgets Plugin to gain access to ready-made widgets specifically tailored for audio data and system interactions.
- [The Console Variables Editor Plugin](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-console-variables-editor-plugin/): New in Unreal Engine 5, the Console Variables Editor Plugin allows developers to add, modify, toggle, and save out their most used Console Variables...
- [Call Function in Editor](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/call-in-editor/): Enable the Call In Editor option for Blueprint Functions and Events to add them as a button to the Blueprint Actor's Details Panel.
- [Float Is Now Double Precision](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/float-is-now-double/): Unreal Engine 5 brought about significant sweeping changes and many new additions.
- [The Select Node](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-select-node/): Utilize the select nodes to return a variable based on a given condition (e.g. Boolean, Byte, Integer, Integer64, or Enumerator).
- [Find In Blueprints Utility](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/find-in-blueprints/): Massively speed up your workflow by utilizing the Find In Blueprints feature, which allows you to search ALL blueprints for functions, events...
- [For Each Enumerator](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/for-each-enumerator/): Having trouble finding out how to loop through Enumerators in Blueprints? Simply open up the Action Menu by pressing the TAB key and type in "ForEachE"...
- [The Measurement Tool](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-measurement-tool/): You can access the Measurement Tool by pressing down and dragging the Middle Mouse Button within a level viewport that has been set to an Orthographic...
- [Viewport Split View Layouts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/viewport-split-view-layouts/): Click on the top-right button within a level viewport to quickly switch to a split view layout.
- [Viewport View Mode Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/view-mode-shortcuts/): Utilize the CTRL + MMB + Drag shortcuts to quickly switch between viewport view modes. These are immensely useful for speeding up level design!
- [Python Foundation Packages Plugin](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/python-foundation-packages-plugin/): New in Unreal Engine 5, the Python Foundation Packages Plugin finally brings official support for common Python libraries such as -- NumPy, PyTorch...
- [Json Blueprint Utilities Plugin](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/json-blueprint-utilities-plugin/): Official JSON support in Blueprints via the Json Blueprint Utilities plugin.
- [Niagara Fluid Plugin](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/niagara-fluid-plugin/): Enable the Niagara Fluid Plugin in Unreal Engine 5 to gain access to amazing Niagara fluid templates.
- [The Actor Palette](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-actor-palette/): Enable the Actor Palette Plugin to gain access to a helpful tool that allows you to sample actors from another level.
- [Atmospheric Sun Rotation Shortcut](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/atmospheric-sun-rotation-shortcut/): The rotation of the Atmospheric Sun Light can be easily modified by holding CTRL + L and moving around the mouse.
- [Freeze Rendering](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/freeze-rendering/): Utilize the FreezeRendering console command to freeze the rendering state of the actors within the Editor Viewport.
- [The Preview Mesh](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/the-preview-mesh/): Hold the BACKSLASH shortcut to display the Preview Mesh under the mouse's current location within the Editor viewport.
- [Set Members in Structure](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/set-members-in-structure/): Utilize the Set Members node to easily modify specific variables of the desired structure.
- [Print String Output Log Tagging](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/print-string-output-log-tagging/): Append either Warning or Error as a prefix to a Print String to have their colors in the Output Log be Yellow or Red respectively.
- [Show 3D Widget](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/show-3d-widget/): Enable the Show 3D Widget property on Vector and Transform variables to allow direct manipulation from within the level viewport.
- [Node Pin Drop Context](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/node-pin-drop-context/): Speed up blueprint workflows by drag dropping variables and functions onto existing node input and output pins.
- [Drag & Drop Variable Modifier Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/drag-drop-variable-modifier-shortcuts/): Hold CTRL or ALT when drag dropping a variable onto a blueprint graph to immediately drop the GET or SET variable node.
- [Keep Simulation Changes](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/keep-simulation-changes/): Utilize the K shortcut to keep simulation changes on selected actors during SIE (Simulate In Editor).
- [Align Nodes Shortcut](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/align-blueprint-nodes-shortcut/): Utilize these node alignment shortcuts to speed up node organization. Works for Blueprints, Materials, Niagara, ControlRig, etc.
- [Straighten Nodes Shortcut](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/straighten-blueprint-nodes/): You can easily straighten nodes within your blueprint graph by selecting the desired nodes and pressing the Q key.
- [Delete and Reconnect Nodes Shortcut](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/delete-and-reconnect-shortcut/): Utilize the SHIFT + DELETE shortcut to delete the selected blueprint nodes and automatically reconnect the execution pins.
- [Session Frontend](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/session-frontend/): Utilize the profiler to visualize recorded statistics to find bottlenecks in both the CPU and GPU.
- [Stat SceneRendering](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/stat-scenerendering/): Utilize the stat SceneRendering command to visualize general statistics.
- [Live GPU Profiler](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/live-gpu-profiler/): Utilize the live GPU profiler to see real-time per-frame statistics for major render categories.
- [Dump GPU](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/dump-gpu/): New in Unreal Engine 5, you can now dump and visualize GPU intermediary resources for the next frame.
- [GPU Visualizer](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/gpu-visualizer/): Utilize the GPU Visualizer to quickly identify and hone in on GPU bottlenecks.
- [Viewport Smooth Zoom](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/smooth-zoom/): Wanting a smoother viewport zooming experience? Then give the ALT + Hold RMB + Move the mouse in any direction shortcut a shot!
- [Change Max Framerate](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/change-max-framerate/): Utilize the t.maxfps console command to adjust the maximum framerate for that editor session.
- [Switch Statements](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/switch-statements/): Utilize the switch nodes to direct the flow of execution based on the given arguments (e.g. enumerator, integer, string, or name).
- [Subcategories](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/subcategories/): You can establish sub-categories for Blueprints Functions, Macros, and Variables by placing a vertical bar ( | ) in-between category names.
- [Object Validation](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/uobject-validated-get/): UObject Variables nodes can be converted to Validated Get nodes by right-clicking on the node itself and selecting Convert to Validated Get.
- [Toggle Light Radius Indicator](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/toggle-light-radius-indicator/): You can toggle the light radius indicator on or off by holding down ALT and pressing R.
- [Spawn Point Light Shortcut](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/spawn-point-light-shortcut/): Quickly spawn a point light at the current mouse world location by holding L and then left-clicking.
- [Blueprint Quick Pinning](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/blueprint-quick-pinning/): You can quickly create inputs and outputs for Functions, Macros, and custom Events by dragging a variable's wire to their core input/output node.
- [Blueprint Function Input Variable Nodes](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/blueprint-function-input-variable-nodes/): While inside of the Blueprints Functions graph, input variables can be accessed directly as variable nodes.
- [Declare & Define Native Gameplay Tags](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/declare-define-native-gameplay-tags/): Utilize these new C++ macros to declare and define Native Gameplay Tags in your project.
- [Environment Light Mixer](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/environment-light-mixer/): Utilize the Environment Light Mixer to create and modify common atmospheric lighting components within your scene.
- [Numeric Input Math](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/numeric-input-math/): Numeric inputs within Unreal Engine accept and automatically calculate simple mathematical equations.
- [Quick Replace Variable Nodes](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/quick-replace-variable-nodes/): Blueprint Variables can be quickly replaced with an alternative variable of the same type.
- [Select All Actors with the Same Static Mesh](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/select-all-actors-with-the-same-static-mesh/): Utilize the SHIFT + E shortcut to select all actors with the same Static Mesh as the selected actor.
- [Stat Unit](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/stat-unit/): Utilize the stat unit and stat unitgraph console commands to display helpful performance metrics within the viewport.
- [Titlebar Statistics](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/titlebar-statistics/): Display helpful performance statistics within the engine’s title bar.
- [Blueprint Node Compiling Options](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/blueprint-node-compiling-options/): Streamline Blueprint debugging by enabling this editor setting.
- [Actor Snapping Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/actor-snapping-shortcuts/): Save yourself from actor alignment annoyances by using these handy snapping shortcuts!
- [The Asset Picker](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/asset-picker/): Utilize the Asset Picker to quickly find, open, move, copy, or place assets from anywhere within the editor.
- [Shadow Pass Switch](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/shadow-pass-switch/): Utilize the Shadow Pass Switch material function to substitute the materials casted shadow with a proxy.
- [Dumpticks](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/dumpticks/): Dump actors that are ticking to your log using this console command
- [Function Parameter Descriptions](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/function-parameter-descriptions/): Append parameter descriptions to your functions by using C++ comment tags
- [Area-Specific Color Grading](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/area-specific-color-grading/): Use this built-in plugin to apply area-specific color grading to your scene!
- [Wire Manipulation Shortcuts](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/wire-manipulation-shortcuts/): Learn shortcuts to enhance and simplify your Unreal Engine wire manipulation workflows.
- [Content Browser Quick Search](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/content-browser-quick-search/): Speed up finding and opening assets within the content browser.
- [Readable Structure Arrays](https://unrealdirective.com/tips/readable-structure-arrays/): Learn how to display a property as a value for structure arrays.

## Updates

- [UE 5.8 Console Variables, Engine Plugins, and Asset Naming Export](https://unrealdirective.com/updates/ue-5-8-console-variables-engine-plugins-and-cpp-references/): UE 5.8 console variables with per-version filtering, a new Engine Plugins reference, and an asset naming INI export for UE 5.8's Asset Tools.
- [Website Redesign and New C++ References](https://unrealdirective.com/updates/resource-hub-redesign/): The site has been redesigned with a sharper look, reorganized resources, and new C++ references for specifiers, replication, and GAS.
- [A new open-source plugin to enhance UE development](https://unrealdirective.com/updates/udcore-an-open-source-plugin/): I'm excited to share something I've been working on – UDCore (Unreal Directive Core).
- [The New Unreal Directive Website is Here!](https://unrealdirective.com/updates/the-new-unreal-directive-is-here/): After many long months of development, it is finally time. I am thrilled to announce that the rebuilt Unreal Directive website is now live!
- [The New Unreal Directive](https://unrealdirective.com/updates/the-new-unreal-directive/): Over the past many months, I have been working on and learning how to build a new website from scratch using React, Typescript, NextJS, and TailwindCSS.

## Machine-readable indexes

- Sitemap: https://unrealdirective.com/sitemap.xml
- Search index: https://unrealdirective.com/data/search-index.json/
- Console variables: https://unrealdirective.com/data/console-variables.json/
- Keyboard shortcuts: https://unrealdirective.com/data/keyboard-shortcuts.json/
- Engine plugins: https://unrealdirective.com/data/engine-plugins.json/
- Community resources: https://unrealdirective.com/data/community-resources.json/
- Community developers: https://unrealdirective.com/data/community-developers.json/

## Feeds

- Combined: https://unrealdirective.com/feed.xml/
- Articles: https://unrealdirective.com/articles/feed.xml/
- Tips: https://unrealdirective.com/tips/feed.xml/
- Updates: https://unrealdirective.com/updates/feed.xml/
- Community resources: https://unrealdirective.com/community/resources/feed.xml/
- Community developers: https://unrealdirective.com/community/developers/feed.xml/

## Contact

- Website: https://unrealdirective.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnrealDirective
- Discord: https://discord.gg/unrealdirective
- GitHub: https://github.com/unrealdirective