Unreal Map Reveal Effect : Render Target Painting Tutorial
Ever wanted to create a mechanic where players reveal the world as they move, paint directly onto the terrain, or leave footprints in the snow? In this tutorial, I show you how to write world space information to a render target and retrieve that data within your materials to create a powerful “vanishing” effect.
This technique allows for immense creative freedom, enabling players to affect the landscape in ways most games don’t. Whether you are building puzzles, environmental storytelling, or unique gameplay mechanics, this workflow is a game-changer for your UE project.
"Painting with Death" - https://theundeaddev.itch.io/painting...
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:47 - Demo
2:48 - Initial Setup
3:54 - Vanish Effect Handler
8:20 - Adding Visual Guide
11:36 - World Space To Render Target Translation
13:36 - Render Target To UV Translation
17:15 - Vanishing Effect From Render Target
17:37 - Refactoring Into Material Functions
18:43 - Migrating To Real Map
🕹️ What we cover in this video:
The Concept: How render targets can store world data for use in materials.
Setup: Creating a Canvas Render Target 2D and the Effect Handler actor.
Blueprint Logic: Writing world locations to the render target using Draw Polygon.
Coordinate Translation: Using Map Range Clamped to convert 3D world space into render target coordinates.
Material Magic: Using Material Parameter Collections (MPC) and Remap Value Range Normalized to map world coordinates back into UV space.
Optimization: Creating a reusable Material Function (MF Vanishing Effect) so you can apply this effect to any material in your game.
Practical Application: Implementing the effect on a full level to reveal the environment in real-time.
🚀 Use Cases for this Technique:
Revealing/Hiding Levels: Make parts of your map appear as the player explores.
Painting Mechanics: Create “Alive vs Dead” painting systems (as seen in my game Painting with Death).
Environmental Tracking: Store footprints in mud, snow, or grass.
Puzzle Design: Hide and reveal clues to guide players through a level.
Game Mechanics: Fog of war.
🛠️ Key Technical Terms Used: #UnrealEngine #UE5 #GameDev #RenderTargets #MaterialFunctions #BlueprintTutorial #TechnicalArt
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Thanks to Andrei for America Mcgee footage.
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