Niagara, a visible results system inside Unreal Engine, permits customers to create and manipulate dynamic particle results. One frequent situation 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 offers a number of strategies to regulate the size of Niagara techniques, enabling artists and builders to attain the specified visible outcomes.
One simple method to scaling Niagara particles includes modifying the “Preliminary Dimension” parameter inside the Niagara System’s Particulars panel. This parameter instantly controls the preliminary scale of every particle when it’s emitted. By rising or lowering the worth of “Preliminary Dimension,” you’ll be able to regulate the general dimension of the particle system. Nonetheless, this methodology solely impacts the preliminary scale and doesn’t permit for dynamic scaling over time.
For extra advanced scaling eventualities, Niagara gives 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’ll be able to create dynamic scaling results that fluctuate based mostly on components similar 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 larger flexibility in shaping the particle system.
Resizing Niagara Programs
Niagara techniques could be resized within the following methods:
- By adjusting the Niagara system’s “Scale” property. This property is situated within the “Particulars” panel of the Niagara system’s editor. The dimensions property can be utilized to extend or lower the dimensions of the Niagara system as an entire, in addition to to scale particular person elements of the system.
- By adjusting the “Scale” property of particular person Niagara modules. This property is situated within the “Particulars” panel of every module’s editor. The dimensions property can be utilized to extend or lower the dimensions of the module’s output, in addition to to scale the module’s place and rotation.
- Through the use of the “Scale Vector” parameter. This parameter is obtainable in lots of Niagara modules. The dimensions vector parameter can be utilized to scale the output of the module in numerous instructions.
The next desk offers a abstract of the alternative ways to resize Niagara techniques:
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Adjusting the Niagara system’s “Scale” property | Scales the complete 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’ll be able to 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 may as well 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 may as well maintain down the Ctrl key and drag the mouse to pan across the viewport.
The dimensions of the Niagara system shall 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 |
Extra Info
You may as well 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’ll be able to 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 use 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 Modifications” button to use the scaling to the chosen emitters.
- Superb-tune particular person emitters: If mandatory, you’ll be able to 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 tips on how 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 gives 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 varied 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 required 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 step by step over time:
ScaleBy(1 + (Time * 0.1))the place Time is the elapsed time
Using Scale Inheritance
Scale Inheritance in Niagara permits you to inherit and scale particle techniques based mostly on the size of a specified emitter. This method is especially helpful if you wish to create particle results that adapt to the dimensions of the thing they’re hooked up to. To make the most of Scale Inheritance:
1. Create an emitter to 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 mum or dad emitter.
7. Superior Choices: You may additional customise the size inheritance by enabling the next superior choices:
| Choice | Description |
|---|---|
| Lock Side Ratio | Maintains the side 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’ll be able to simply create particle techniques that scale dynamically based mostly on the dimensions of the objects they’re hooked up to, including depth and realism to your visible results.
Animating Scale Over Time
Niagara permits you to animate the size of particle techniques over time, creating varied results similar to rising or shrinking particles. This course of includes 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 time limit. By connecting it to the “Replace” occasion within the Niagara graph, you’ll be able to apply the size transformation to the particles over time.
Customized Scale Curve
You should utilize 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 continuing scale, merely enter a particular worth within the “Set Scale” module. This can outcome within the particles having a hard and fast scale all through their lifetime.
Scale by Parameter
You may as well scale the particles based mostly 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’ll be able to scale the particles based mostly on an present particle attribute. Choose the particle attribute from the “Choose Attribute” drop-down within the “Set Scale” module. This allows the usage of attributes similar to “Velocity” or “Place” to find out the size.
Scale by System Age
To scale the particles based mostly on their age, join the “Age” system attribute to the “Scale” enter within the “Set Scale” module. This can outcome 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’ll be able to scale the particles based mostly on their velocity. This will create results similar to making sooner particles bigger and slower particles smaller.
Scale by Distance to Emitter
Lastly, you’ll be able to scale the particles based mostly 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 use the “Scale” property within the “Rework” module. This property permits you to 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 attainable that the “Scale” property is just not set accurately. Guarantee that the property is about to the specified scale.
2. The system is scaling too slowly or too shortly
If the system is scaling too slowly or too shortly, you’ll be able to regulate the “Scale Over Time” property within the “Rework” module. This property permits you to specify the velocity at which the system scales.
3. The system is scaling within the mistaken path
If the system is scaling within the mistaken path, you’ll be able to regulate the “Scale Mode” property within the “Rework” module. This property permits you to specify the path during which the system scales.
4. The system is scaling erratically
If the system is scaling erratically, it’s attainable that the “Scale Axis” property is just not set accurately. Guarantee that the property is about 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 attainable that the “Scale Mode” property is just not set to “Viewport”. Guarantee that the property is about to the specified scale mode.
6. The system is scaling incorrectly when the digicam is moved
If the system is scaling incorrectly when the digicam is moved, it’s attainable that the “Scale Mode” property is just not set to “World”. Guarantee that the property is about 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 attainable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set accurately. Guarantee that the property is about 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 attainable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set to “None”. Guarantee that the property is about 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 attainable that the “Scale Over Time” property is just not set to “None”. Guarantee that the property is about 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 attainable that the “Scale” property is just not set to the default worth. Guarantee that the property is about to the specified scale.
Unreal Engine: Find out how to Change Niagara Scale
To alter the size of a Niagara system, you should use the next steps:
- Choose the Niagara system within the World Outliner.
- Within the Particulars panel, navigate to the “Scale” property beneath the “Rework” part.
- Enter a brand new worth for the size. You should utilize any mixture of optimistic and unfavorable values to scale the system in numerous instructions.
Altering the size of a Niagara system will have an effect on the dimensions and orientation of all of the particles within the system. It may be used to create quite a lot of results, similar to making particles seem bigger or smaller, or to vary the path during which they transfer.
Folks 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’ll be able to scale a Niagara system in a different way in numerous instructions by utilizing the “Scale XYZ” property within the Particulars panel. This property permits you to specify a separate scale issue for every of the X, Y, and Z axes.
What occurs if I enter a unfavorable worth for the size?
Should you enter a unfavorable worth for the size, the Niagara system shall be scaled in the other way. For instance, if you happen to enter a price of -1 for the size, the system shall be mirrored round its origin.
