Modeling Mode - Working with Assets

A description of how Modeling Mode creates and handles assets.

Modeling Mode is an editor mode that provides you with the tools to create and sculpt your own 3D mesh assets directly in Unreal Engine. Although Modeling Mode works similarly to other modeling software, there are a few key differences in how the Modeling editor mode creates new assets and handles editing that you should know before you begin working with it.

Prerequisite Topics

To better understand and use the content of this page, familiarize yourself with Modeling Mode by reading the Modeling Mode Overview documentation.

Creating Assets with Modeling Mode

You can create new mesh assets using the tools found in the Shapes or Create categories of the Modeling Tools palette:

Create New Assets

Click image for ful size.

Unreal Engine uses the Output Type specified in the Tools Details panel when creating a new asset. Output types that are not supported by the selected tool are grayed out.

Change output type drop down

Click image for ful size.

Output Type

Description

Static Mesh

Creates a Static Mesh version of the specified asset.

Volume

Creates a Volume version of the specified asset.

Dynamic Mesh

Creates a Dynamic Mesh version of the specified asset.

Modeling Mode saves new assets based on the settings in the Modeling Mode section of the Project Settings. This can be quickly customized by using the New Asset Location property located in the Modeling Mode Quick Settings.

Editing Assets with Modeling Mode

After you create an asset and save it, your shape is ready for editing. When you edit an asset using Modeling Mode, the original mesh is hidden and replaced with a Dynamic Mesh Actor preview mesh.

Editing assets shows a temporary Dynamic Mesh Actor

Click image for ful size.

Because the changes to your asset are not applied until the Accept button is clicked, it is possible to see the edited Dynamic Mesh next to the unedited Static Mesh asset in the viewport.

The Dynamic Mesh Actor becomes a container that holds the changes to your asset until you click the Accept button. Once you accept the changes, Modeling Mode applies the changes and overwrites the existing static mesh assets.

Accepting changes updates the original asset being edited

Click image for ful size.

Exceptions

Some tools give you the option to overwrite the existing asset or create new assets directly. Here are some examples:

  • Mesh Merge (MshMrg)

  • Mesh Bool (MshBool)

  • Trim

  • Merge

  • Vox Wrap

  • Vox Blend (VoxBlnd)

  • Vox Morph (VoxMrph)

Write to settings drop down

Click image for ful size.

These tools give you the option to create a New Object using the result of your edit or to overwrite the First Input Object or Last Input Object.

Another exception to this workflow is the Mirror tool:

Mirror tool mirroring a pillar and stairs

Click image for ful size.

The Mirror tool modifies multiple meshes simultaneously, but updates them individually.

Tool output options save mode drop down

Click image for ful size.

Using the Save Mode property, you can also select Create New Assets. If selected, the Mirror tool creates a number of new assets equal to the number of input meshes. These new assets are saved using the settings defined in the Modeling Mode Quick Settings tab at the bottom of the Tools Details panel.

There are also tools that create non-mesh assets. The Baking tools create texture assets and save them in the same location as the source mesh.

Modeling Mode Project Settings

There are several options for Modeling Mode in the Project Settings you can use to configure the creation, selection, and saving of assets. They are found in the Plugins > Modeling Mode and Plugins > Modeling Mode Tools sections.

Modeling Mode Project Settings

Click image for ful size.

Property

Description

Enable Dynamic Mesh Actors

Enables the option to create Dynamic Mesh Actors using Modeling Mode tools.

Default Mesh Object Type

Determines the default mesh object type for Modeling Mode tools. Requires an Editor restart to take effect. The following options are available:

  • Static Mesh Asset

  • Volume Asset

  • Dynamic Mesh Asset

Asset Generation Mode

Determines how assets generated by the Modeling Mode tools are handled. The following options are available:

  • Auto Generate and Autosave: Generates and automatically saves new assets on creation.

  • Auto Generate But Do Not Autosave: Generates new assets and marks them as modified.

  • Interactive Prompt to Save: Generates new assets and prompts you to save them.

Asset Generation Location

Determines where assets generated by Modeling Mode tools are stored by default.The following options are available:

  • Auto Generated World Relative Asset Path: Stores assets in an auto-generated folder relative to the level they are being saved in.

  • Auto Generated Global Asset Path: Stores assets in an auto-generated folder located in the Content folder of your project.

  • Current Asset Browser Path if Available: Stores assets in the folder currently selected in the Content Browser, if available. If not, assets are saved in the auto-generated asset path.

Asset Generation Asset Path

Defines the file path where auto-generated assets are saved. This is relative to the parent path defined in the Asset Generation Location. Leaving this blank disables this option.

Store Unsaved Level Assets in Top Level Game Folder

If enabled, determines whether auto-generated assets in an unsaved level are stored relative to the top level Game folder or are stored in the Temp folder. You cannot save assets stored in the Temp folder until they are moved to a permanent location.

Use Per User Autogen Subfolder

If enabled, determines if auto-generated assets are stored in specific user folders within the auto-generated folder.

Autogen Subfolder User Name Override

Overrides the user name used for per-user folders within the auto-generated folder.

Append Random String to Name

Appends a short, random string to the name of auto-generated assets.

Enable Persistent Selections

If enabled, maintains your selection when changing between tools. This feature is Experimental and is disabled by default.

Modeling Mode Tools Project Settings

Click image for ful size.

Property

Description

Enable Ray Tracing While Editing

Enables Ray Tracing when using Modeling Mode tools. This affects the performance of tools with real time feedback, such as 3D Sculpting.

Enable Ray Tracing

Enables Ray Tracing for new assets created using the Modeling Mode tools, if support is optional.

Enable Collision

Enables collision for new mesh assets created using the Modeling Mode tools.

Collision Mode

Determines the default Collision Mode for new assets created using the Modeling Mode tools. The following options are available:

  • Project Default

  • Simple and Complex

  • Use Simple as Complex

  • Use Complex as Simple

For more information on these settings, refer to Simple versus Complex Collision.

Modeling Mode Quick Settings

The Modeling Mode Quick Settings are located at the bottom of the Modeling Tools Details panel and contain options for specifying the LOD to display during editing and the location to save new assets.

Modeling Mode Quick Settings

Click image for ful size.

Property

Description

Editing LOD

Determines which LOD mesh you are currently editing.

New Asset Location

Determines where the new asset you are currently creating will be saved. This overrides the current project setting for this asset.