Physics Asset Editor - Skeleton Tree | Unreal Engine 4.27 Documentation

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The Skeleton Tree panel in the Physics Asset Editor shows the skeletal hierarchy of the current Skeleton asset, along with additional assets like the collision bodies, primitives, and constraints. Within it, you can perform the following actions:

Select and view specific bones in the skeletal hierarchy with their attached bodies and constraints.
Create and edit bodies, primitives, and constraints, which can be simulated in the Viewport to see the results of ragdoll animations, constraints, and collision interaction.
Create preview assets, which are temporarily attached assets; these are good for previewing how a weapon will look on a character, for example.

Interface Breakdown

Search Line

The Search line allows for quick filtering of the Skeletal hierarchy by filtering out the hierarchy to only include names based on the entered text.

Above, we have filtered the hierarchy to include any Bone Names, Bodies, or Constraints that include the text Pelvis in them.

Bone Hierarchy List

This window shows all the Bones, Bodies, Constraints, Primitives, and Preview Objects currently used by the selected Physics Asset. Inside this window is where you can add and assign collision Bodies, Primitives, Constraints, and Preview Objects. Most of the adjustments made in the Bone Hierarchy list is handled through right-click context menus where the menu options vary based on the object you right-click on (see the context menu sections below).

Selection Context Menus

Within the Bone Hierarchy list, when you right-click on a Bone, Body, Primitive, or Constraint, you access context menus specific to the selection made.

Below are the available context menus and their relative options.

Bone Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Bone, you will see the following context menu:

Option	Description
Copy Selected Bone Names	Copy the selected bone names to the clipboard.
Reset Selected Bone Transforms	Reset the transforms of the selected bones.
Add Preview Asset	Opens a menu of all eligible assets that can be temporarily attached to a bone for previewing purposes. For instance, if you want to see what a certain piece of armor would look like attached to a bone, this is the option you would use. Note, however, that this is not a permanent attachment and will only be visible while previewing.
Remove All Attached Assets	Removes all attached assets from the Skeleton and the mesh.
Add/Replace Bodies	Adds or replaces bodies for the selected bones using the current generation settings found in the Tools tab.
Select All Bodies	Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.
Select All Constraints	Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Body Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Body, you will see the following context menu:

Option

Description

Regenerate Bodies

Regenerates the selected bodies using the current generation settings found in the Tools tab.

Add Shape

Adds shapes to this body. A Box, Sphere, or Capsule shape can be selected.

Collision

Adjust collision between bodies.

Weld	Weld the currently selected bodies together.
Enable Collision	Enable collision between the currently selected bodies.
Enable Collision All	Enable collision between the currently selected bodies and all bodies.
Disable Collision	Disable collision between the currently selected bodies.
Disable Collision All	Disable collision between the currently selected bodies and all bodies.

Constraints

Create a constraint between the selected body and one selected from the hierarchy list.

Physics Type

The type of physics to use for this body; kinematic or simulated.

Physical Material

Select a Physical Material to apply to all bodies.

Copy Properties

Copy the properties of the currently selected object to the next selected object.

Paste Properties

Paste the properties of a previously selected object to the currently selected object.

Delete

Delete the currently selected body.

Delete All Bodies Below

Delete all bodies below the currently selected body in the Skeleton Hierarchy Tree.

Mirror

Find the body on the other side and duplicate its constraints and body.

Assign

Assigns the selected bodies to the current physical animation profile.

Unassign

Unassigns the selected bodies from the current physical animation profile.

Copy Collision From Static Mesh

Copy convex collision from a specified Static Mesh.

Select All Bodies

Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.

Select All Constraints

Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Primitive Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Primitive, you will see the following context menu:

Option	Description
Duplicate	Duplicate selected primitives.
Delete	Delete selected primitives.
Select All Bodies	Selects all bodies in the Skeleton Tree.
Select All Constraints	Selects all constraints in the Skeleton Tree.

Constraint Context Menu

When right-clicking on a Constraint, you will see the following context menu:

Option

Description

Snap

Snap the selected constraint to Bone.

Reset

Resets the constraint to the default state.

Axes and Limits

Edit axes and limits of this constraint.

Cycle Constraint Orientation	Cycles constraint orientation between different cardinal axes.
Cycle Active Constraint	Cycles whether each constraint axis is active in isolation.
Lock Swing	Set swing 1 or 2 to be locked or limited.
Lock Twist	Set twist to be locked or limited.

Convert

Convert constraint to various presets.

Ball & Socket
Hinge
Prismatic
Skeletal

Copy Properties

Copy the properties of the currently selected object to the next selected object.

Paste Properties

Past the properties of a previously selected object to the currently selected object.

Delete

Delete the currently selected constraint.

Assign

Assigns the selected constraints to the current physical animation profile.