Within an Animation Blueprints EventGraph, event nodes are Animation Blueprint (AninBP) nodes that you can use to create starting or activation points for animation blueprint logic. This document will provide a reference for the AnimBP event node types that you can use when creating animation logic in Unreal Engine.
In the EventGraph, event nodes are red, and are indicated by the arrow icon in the top right corner of the node.
You can add event nodes in the EventGraph by right-clicking in the graph and selecting a node from the Add Event section of the context menu.
An AnimBP's EventGraph can only contain one of each type of event node. However multiple functions can be connected to a single event node simultaneously.
EventGraph event nodes do not contain input pins as they begin a string of animation logic. Event nodes have an Output Execute pin that will initialize the sequentially connected nodes when the event node is activated. Each event node type is activated by a set of parameters.
You can begin a string of logic in the EventGraph by selecting one of the following Animation Event Node Types.
Animation Event Node Types
You can use the following Event Nodes in your AnimBP's EventGraph to begin animation logic with specific parameters.
| Node Type | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blueprint Begin Play |  |
The Event Blueprint Begin Play event node will activate any connected logic when the owning component is activated by the Play function. With this node you can connect logic that will be run when the owning object is first activated, even before animation functions are initialized. When hovering over the node, you can reference the node's owning component, or Target. |
| Blueprint Initialize Animation |  |
The Blueprint Initialize Animation event node will activate seqeunctail nodes when the current Animation Blueprint is first built during runtime to perform initialization operations. With this node, you can build logic that will activate once at the beginning of the Animation Blueprint. |
| Blueprint Linked Animation Layers Initialized |  |
The Blueprint Linked Animation Layers Initialized event node will activate connected nodes when the all linked animation layers are initialized. You can use this node to run logic once, that will be activated as soon as all linked animation layers are initialized for the first time. |
| Blueprint Post Evaluate Animation |  |
The Blueprint Post Evaluate Animation event node will activate sequential nodes after the AnimBP has been evaluated. With this node, you can activate logic that will run after the AnimBP has been evaluated. |
| Blueprint Update Animation |  |
The Blueprint Update Animation event node is executed every frame allowing the Animation Blueprint to perform calculations and updates to any values it needs. This event node is the entry point into the update loop of the EventGraph. The amount of time elapsed since the last update is available from the DeltaTimeX output pin so time-dependent interpolations or incremental updates can be performed. |
Advanced Animation Event Node Types
You can use the following Event Nodes in your AnimBP's EventGraph to begin animation logic using project specific parameters, player input, and custom parameters.
| Node Type | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Input |  |
Input event nodes will activate connected logic when the specified player input is received or released, depending on the output pin the logic is connected to. You can use this node to create animation logic that is dependent on user inputs, with specific input functions, such as keys, mouse movements, or touch controls. |
| Input Action |  |
With Input Action event nodes, sequential logic will be activated when the player initiates a defined input action during run time. You can use this node to create animation logic that is dependent on user interactions with specified mechanics and systems in your project. These systems are definable in the project settings. |
| Anim Notify |  |
You can use specific Anim Notify event nodes to activate animation logic when the connected Anim Notify is activated in an animation. These nodes are dependent on the Anim Noties present in your project and will activate any connected logic when the notify is triggered in your animation sequence, composite or montage. You can use these event nodes to build animation logic that is connected to animation playback. |
| Custom Event |  |
With the Custom Event node you can build and define the custom parameters in which you want to activate animation logic in your project. See the Programming and Scripting documentation for more info on blueprints and blueprint nodes. |
