Working with Meshes

Modeling Mode is an editor mode that provides you with the tools to create and edit your own 3D mesh directly in Unreal Engine. Although Modeling Mode works similarly to other modeling software, there are a few key differences in how the editor mode creates new meshes 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.

Output Type

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

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

Static Mesh

A Static Mesh is a type of Actor that represents 3D geometry. When you select Static Mesh as the type, the Actor is saved in your Content Browser as an Asset, and an Actor instance is placed in the Level.

When you accept new edits, the original Static Mesh is updated. These updates apply to any duplicates made in the Viewport, as they are an instance of the same mesh.

To properly create a copy saved separately in the Content Browser, you can use the MshDup (Mesh Duplicate) tool. Using this tool to clone your Static Mesh before you start modeling will ensure that the original Asset remains intact and make it possible to change only individual Static Meshes in your world as needed.

Modeling Mode saves new Static Mesh based on the settings in the Modeling Mode section of the Project Settings. You can quickly customize settings using the New Asset Location property in the Modeling Mode Quick Settings.

Dynamic Mesh

A Dynamic Mesh is an Actor that visually represents a Static Mesh; however, their functions differ. Dynamic Meshes are saved in the Level instead of the Content Browser since it is not an Asset.

Dynamic Meshes can help you create an efficient workflow by saving time on editing because:

• No Build step is required

• No Asset is created

• You can edit duplicates without updating the original mesh

There are a few caveats to know when using Dynamic Meshes:

• It is not efficient for rendering and memory.

• It is not compatible with Lumen or Nanite.

You can use the Convert tool to change a Dynamic Mesh to a Static Mesh or Volume, and vice versa. This conversion option is beneficial when you are editing a high-resolution mesh with a long Build time after a tool operation.

Volume

A Volume is a type of Actor you can use to alter the behavior of areas in your Level. When selected, the standard Volume Types become available.

To learn about the Volume Types, refer to the Volume Actors in Unreal Engine documentation.

When creating a new Volume using either the Shapes or Create category, the mesh appears similar to a Static or Dynamic Mesh. Once you select Accept, the mesh is represented as a traditional Volume (a 3D outline).

Preview Mesh

After you create a mesh and accept it, your shape is ready for editing. When you edit a mesh using Modeling Mode, the original mesh is hidden and replaced with a preview mesh (Dynamic Mesh Actor). The Dynamic Mesh Actor becomes a container that holds the changes to your mesh until you click the Accept button. Once you accept the changes, Modeling Mode applies the changes and overwrites the existing target output mesh.

While the tool is active, the original mesh can be unhidden by toggling the Visible property under the Rendering category in the Details panel. Once the changes are accepted, they are applied to the existing target output mesh. The preview mesh is destroyed, and the original mesh Actor is unhidden.

Exceptions

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

• Mesh Merge (MshMrg)

• Mesh Bool (MshBool)

• Trim

• Merge

• Vox Wrap

• Vox Blend (VoxBlnd)

• Vox Morph (VoxMrph)

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.

There are also tools that create non-mesh Assets. The Baking tools create Texture Assets and saves them in the selected location.

Modeling Mode Project Settings

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

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.