Niagara, a visible results system inside Unreal Engine, permits customers to create and manipulate dynamic particle results. One widespread state of affairs is the necessity to alter the size of a particle system, whether or not to fine-tune the visible influence or reply to gameplay occasions. Fortuitously, Unreal Engine gives a number of strategies to regulate the size of Niagara programs, enabling artists and builders to attain the specified visible outcomes.
One easy strategy to scaling Niagara particles entails modifying the “Preliminary Dimension” parameter throughout the Niagara System’s Particulars panel. This parameter instantly controls the preliminary scale of every particle when it’s emitted. By growing or reducing the worth of “Preliminary Dimension,” you may regulate the general dimension of the particle system. Nevertheless, this technique solely impacts the preliminary scale and doesn’t enable for dynamic scaling over time.
For extra complicated scaling eventualities, Niagara presents the “Scale” module. This module lets you apply a scale transformation to particles over their lifetime. By connecting the “Scale” module to the “Particle Replace” node and setting the specified scale values, you may create dynamic scaling results that fluctuate primarily based on components akin to particle age, velocity, or different parameters. Moreover, the “Scale” module permits for particular person management over the size alongside the X, Y, and Z axes, offering better flexibility in shaping the particle system.
Resizing Niagara Techniques
Niagara programs might be resized within the following methods:
- By adjusting the Niagara system’s “Scale” property. This property is positioned within the “Particulars” panel of the Niagara system’s editor. The size property can be utilized to extend or lower the scale of the Niagara system as a complete, in addition to to scale particular person elements of the system.
- By adjusting the “Scale” property of particular person Niagara modules. This property is positioned within the “Particulars” panel of every module’s editor. The size property can be utilized to extend or lower the scale of the module’s output, in addition to to scale the module’s place and rotation.
- By utilizing the “Scale Vector” parameter. This parameter is obtainable in lots of Niagara modules. The size vector parameter can be utilized to scale the output of the module in numerous instructions.
The next desk gives a abstract of the alternative ways to resize Niagara programs:
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Adjusting the Niagara system’s “Scale” property | Scales your entire Niagara system, together with all of its elements. |
| Adjusting the “Scale” property of particular person Niagara modules | Scales the output of particular person Niagara modules. |
| Utilizing the “Scale Vector” parameter | Scales the output of Niagara modules in numerous instructions. |
Setting Scale in Niagara Preview
Within the Niagara Editor, you may regulate the size of the preview viewport to get a greater view of your results. To do that, merely hover your mouse over the preview viewport and use the scroll wheel to zoom in or out. You too can maintain down the Ctrl key and drag the mouse to pan across the viewport.
Setting Scale in Niagara Preview
To alter the size of a Niagara system within the preview viewport, observe these steps:
- Choose the Niagara system within the Content material Browser.
- Click on on the “Preview” button within the Niagara Editor toolbar.
- Hover your mouse over the preview viewport and use the scroll wheel to zoom in or out. You too can maintain down the Ctrl key and drag the mouse to pan across the viewport.
The size of the Niagara system will likely be up to date in real-time as you make modifications within the Niagara Editor.
| Motion | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in | Scroll wheel up |
| Zoom out | Scroll wheel down |
| Pan | Ctrl + drag |
Further Data
You too can regulate the size of the Niagara preview viewport utilizing the “View” menu within the Niagara Editor toolbar. To do that, merely click on on the “View” menu and choose the “Zoom” choice. You may then select from quite a lot of zoom ranges, or you may enter a customized zoom degree within the “Zoom to” discipline.
Scaling A number of Emitters Concurrently
To scale a number of emitters concurrently in Niagara, you should utilize the next steps:
- Choose a number of emitters: Within the Niagara editor, choose the emitters you wish to scale.
- Open the Rework panel: Click on on the “Rework” tab within the Niagara editor.
- Modify the size: Within the Rework panel, regulate the “Scale” values for the chosen emitters.
- Apply modifications: Click on on the “Apply Adjustments” button to use the scaling to the chosen emitters.
- Advantageous-tune particular person emitters: If mandatory, you may regulate the scaling of particular person emitters by right-clicking on the emitter and deciding on “Edit Rework > Scale”. This lets you make extra exact changes to the size of every emitter.
Instance: Scaling a number of emitters with totally different scales
The next desk exhibits an instance of the right way to scale a number of emitters with totally different scales:
| Emitter | Scale |
|---|---|
| Emitter_A | 0.5, 1.0, 1.0 |
| Emitter_B | 1.0, 0.5, 1.0 |
| Emitter_C | 1.0, 1.0, 0.5 |
On this instance, Emitter_A is scaled down by half on the X-axis, Emitter_B is scaled down by half on the Y-axis, and Emitter_C is scaled down by half on the Z-axis.
Controlling Scale with Expressions
Niagara presents the pliability to manage the size of results by way of expressions. Expressions are text-based snippets that carry out mathematical calculations and can be utilized to drive numerous parameters, together with scale.
The syntax for scale manipulation in Niagara expressions is:
| Expression | Description |
|---|---|
| GetScale() | Retrieves the present scale of the particle |
| SetScale(new_scale) | Units the size of the particle to the desired worth |
| ScaleBy(scale_factor) | Multiplies the particle’s scale by the given issue |
Listed here are some sensible examples:
- To double the size of a particle:
SetScale(GetScale() * 2) - To cut back the size by half:
SetScale(GetScale() * 0.5) - To extend the size regularly over time:
ScaleBy(1 + (Time * 0.1))the place Time is the elapsed time
Using Scale Inheritance
Scale Inheritance in Niagara means that you can inherit and scale particle programs primarily based on the size of a specified emitter. This system is especially helpful while you wish to create particle results that adapt to the scale of the thing they’re hooked up to. To make the most of Scale Inheritance:
1. Create an emitter in your particle system.
2. Choose the emitter within the Niagara editor.
3. Within the Particulars panel, navigate to the “Scale Mode” property.
4. Choose “Inherited” from the dropdown menu.
5. Specify the emitter whose scale you wish to inherit from within the “Guardian Emitter” discipline.
6. Modify the “Scale Issue” property to manage the size of the particle system relative to the mother or father emitter.
7. Superior Choices: You may additional customise the size inheritance by enabling the next superior choices:
| Possibility | Description |
|---|---|
| Lock Facet Ratio | Maintains the facet ratio of the particle system |
| Lock X Scale | Prevents scaling the particle system alongside the X-axis |
| Lock Y Scale | Prevents scaling the particle system alongside the Y-axis |
| Lock Z Scale | Prevents scaling the particle system alongside the Z-axis |
By using Scale Inheritance, you may simply create particle programs that scale dynamically primarily based on the scale of the objects they’re hooked up to, including depth and realism to your visible results.
Animating Scale Over Time
Niagara means that you can animate the size of particle programs over time, creating numerous results akin to rising or shrinking particles. This course of entails utilizing the “Set Scale” module within the Niagara system.
Set Scale Module
The “Set Scale” module units the size of the particle system at a particular cut-off date. By connecting it to the “Replace” occasion within the Niagara graph, you may apply the size transformation to the particles over time.
Customized Scale Curve
You need to use a customized curve to manage the size animation. Proper-click on the “Set Scale” module and choose “Create Curve” to open the curve editor. Modify the curve factors to create the specified scale animation over time.
Static Scale
To set a relentless scale, merely enter a particular worth within the “Set Scale” module. It will consequence within the particles having a set scale all through their lifetime.
Scale by Parameter
You too can scale the particles primarily based on a Niagara parameter. Create a brand new parameter within the “Parameters” part and assign it to the “Scale” enter within the “Set Scale” module. This lets you dynamically management the size utilizing the parameter.
Scale by Attribute
Alternatively, you may scale the particles primarily based on an current particle attribute. Choose the particle attribute from the “Choose Attribute” drop-down within the “Set Scale” module. This allows the usage of attributes akin to “Velocity” or “Place” to find out the size.
Scale by System Age
To scale the particles primarily based on their age, join the “Age” system attribute to the “Scale” enter within the “Set Scale” module. It will consequence within the particles beginning with a sure scale at delivery and altering over time.
Scale by Velocity
By connecting the “Velocity” system attribute to the “Scale” enter, you may scale the particles primarily based on their pace. This may create results akin to making sooner particles bigger and slower particles smaller.
Scale by Distance to Emitter
Lastly, you may scale the particles primarily based on their distance from the particle system’s emitter. Connecting the “Distance to Emitter” system attribute to the “Scale” enter will end in particles turning into bigger or smaller as they transfer away from the emitter.
Change Niagara Scale
To alter the size of a Niagara system, you should utilize the “Scale” property within the “Rework” module. This property means that you can specify the size of the system alongside the X, Y, and Z axes.
Widespread Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
1. The system is just not scaling accurately
If the system is just not scaling accurately, it’s doable that the “Scale” property is just not set accurately. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale.
2. The system is scaling too slowly or too rapidly
If the system is scaling too slowly or too rapidly, you may regulate the “Scale Over Time” property within the “Rework” module. This property means that you can specify the pace at which the system scales.
3. The system is scaling within the improper route
If the system is scaling within the improper route, you may regulate the “Scale Mode” property within the “Rework” module. This property means that you can specify the route through which the system scales.
4. The system is scaling inconsistently
If the system is scaling inconsistently, it’s doable that the “Scale Axis” property is just not set accurately. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified axis.
5. The system is scaling incorrectly when the viewport is resized
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the viewport is resized, it’s doable that the “Scale Mode” property is just not set to “Viewport”. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale mode.
6. The system is scaling incorrectly when the digital camera is moved
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the digital camera is moved, it’s doable that the “Scale Mode” property is just not set to “World”. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale mode.
7. The system is scaling incorrectly when the system is performed again
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the system is performed again, it’s doable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set accurately. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale.
8. The system is scaling incorrectly when the system is paused
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the system is paused, it’s doable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set to “None”. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale.
9. The system is scaling incorrectly when the system is stopped
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the system is stopped, it’s doable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set to “None”. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale.
10. The system is scaling incorrectly when the system is reset
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the system is reset, it’s doable that the “Scale” property is just not set to the default worth. Be sure that the property is ready to the specified scale.
Unreal Engine: The way to Change Niagara Scale
To alter the size of a Niagara system, you should utilize the next steps:
- Choose the Niagara system within the World Outliner.
- Within the Particulars panel, navigate to the “Scale” property below the “Rework” part.
- Enter a brand new worth for the size. You need to use any mixture of constructive and detrimental values to scale the system in numerous instructions.
Altering the size of a Niagara system will have an effect on the scale and orientation of all of the particles within the system. It may be used to create quite a lot of results, akin to making particles seem bigger or smaller, or to vary the route through which they transfer.
Individuals Additionally Ask About Unreal Engine How To Change Niagara Scale
Can I scale a Niagara system in a different way in numerous instructions?
Sure, you may scale a Niagara system in a different way in numerous instructions by utilizing the “Scale XYZ” property within the Particulars panel. This property means that you can specify a separate scale issue for every of the X, Y, and Z axes.
What occurs if I enter a detrimental worth for the size?
Should you enter a detrimental worth for the size, the Niagara system will likely be scaled in the other way. For instance, when you enter a price of -1 for the size, the system will likely be mirrored round its origin.
