Mastering Minimap Setup in UE4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Step 1: Generating a Texture
3. Step 2: Creating the Mini-Map
4. Step 3: Customizing the Mini-Map
5. Step 4: Adding Characters to the Mini-Map
6. Conclusion

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will go through the step-by-step process of setting up a mini-map for your game or application. A mini-map can be a useful tool for navigation and providing a Sense of location to the user. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you will learn how to generate a texture for your map, Create a mini-map using that texture, customize the mini-map, and add characters or other points of interest to the mini-map.

Step 1: Generating a Texture

The first step in setting up a mini-map is generating a texture for your map. This texture will serve as the background for the mini-map and provide the visual representation of the map. There are various methods you can use to generate a texture, such as using Photoshop or other image editing software. In this tutorial, we will use a simple method provided with the mini-map files.

To generate a texture, follow these steps:

1. Add the mini-map files to your project. You can do this by going to the Epic Launcher and clicking on "Add to Project." Look for the "Dynamic UMG Mini-Map" and add it to your project.
2. In your project folder, navigate to "Centaurus Mini-Map" and then to "Mini-Map Components."
3. Inside the "Mini-Map Components" folder, locate and add the "Map Capture 2D" actor to your map.
4. In the "Details" panel of the "Map Capture 2D" actor, ensure that it is positioned at the center of your map. Set both the X and Y coordinates to 0.
5. Adjust the ortho width of the map capture 2D to capture the entire map. The ortho width is the desired width of the area You want to capture. Depending on the size of your map, you may need to manually adjust the value. You can calculate the appropriate value by either measuring the distance on the "Top View" or referencing the ortho width value Mentioned in the tutorial.
6. Once you have set the ortho width, you can create a static texture by right-clicking on the render target of the map capture 2D and selecting "Create Static Texture." Rename the texture to something like "Map Texture" for future reference.

By following these steps, you will have successfully generated a texture for your map, which will serve as the background for your mini-map. You can now proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Creating the Mini-Map

In this step, we will create the mini-map using the texture we generated in the previous step. The mini-map will be added as a widget to the viewport and will display the player's location and other points of interest, such as characters or Quest markers.

To create the mini-map, follow these steps:

1. Create a new widget blueprint in the "Widgets" folder of your project and name it "My Mini-Map."
2. Open the "My Mini-Map" widget blueprint and add the "Mini-Map" component from the user-created section.
3. Resize and position the mini-map component as desired within the widget. You can customize the size and position to fit your game's UI.
4. In the "Details" panel of the mini-map component, set the following properties:
   • Set the "Map Texture" property to the texture we generated in the previous step (e.g., "Map Texture").
   • Adjust the "Map Link and Texture" property to match the ortho width value used in the previous step (e.g., 14,000).
   • Customize other properties, such as zoom level, rotation, view angles, etc., as per your preference.
5. Save and compile the widget blueprint.

By following these steps, you will have successfully created the mini-map and configured its properties. The mini-map will now be ready to add to the viewport.

Step 3: Customizing the Mini-Map

In this step, we will customize the appearance of the mini-map by changing its visual elements, such as the size, color, and texture of the player's location indicator.

To customize the mini-map, follow these steps:

1. Open the character blueprint or the blueprint associated with the player character.
2. Create a custom event (e.g., "Add Characters") to add characters or points of interest to the mini-map.
3. Add the "Mini-Map" component to the blueprint and configure its properties, such as the size, color, and texture, according to your requirements.
4. Use the "Get All Actors of Class" node to retrieve the characters or points of interest you want to add to the mini-map.
5. Connect the output of the "Get All Actors of Class" node to the "Add Actors" function of the "Mini-Map" component.
6. Adjust the customization settings, such as the size, color, and indicator texture, to differentiate the characters or points of interest on the mini-map.
7. Save, compile, and play the game to see the customized mini-map.

By following these steps, you will be able to customize the mini-map by adding characters or points of interest and customizing their appearance. This will enhance the usability and visual appeal of your mini-map.

Step 4: Adding Characters to the Mini-Map

In this step, we will add characters or points of interest to the mini-map. By adding these entities to the mini-map, players will be able to locate them easily within the game world.

To add characters to the mini-map, follow these steps:

1. Within the character blueprint or the blueprint associated with the player character, create a custom event (e.g., "Add Characters").
2. Obtain the reference to the mini-map component by using the "Get Mini-Map Component" node.
3. Use the "Get All Actors of Class" node to retrieve the characters or points of interest you want to add to the mini-map. This node allows you to filter the desired actors Based on their class.
4. Connect the output of the "Get All Actors of Class" node to the "Add Actors" function of the mini-map component.
5. Configure the settings of the "Add Actors" function, such as the size, color, and indicator texture, to represent the characters or points of interest on the mini-map.
6. Save, compile, and play the game to see the characters or points of interest added to the mini-map.

By following these steps, you will successfully add characters or points of interest to the mini-map. This will provide players with a valuable tool for locating important entities within the game world.

Conclusion

Setting up a mini-map can greatly enhance the user experience and navigation within a game or application. By following the step-by-step tutorial provided above, you have learned how to generate a map texture, create a mini-map using that texture, customize the mini-map, and add characters or points of interest to it. By implementing these features, you can improve the overall gameplay experience and make it easier for players to navigate and Interact with your game world.

For more information and advanced customization options, refer to the link provided in the description. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy mapping!

Highlights

• Step-by-step tutorial on setting up a mini-map
• Learn how to generate a map texture
• Create a mini-map using the generated texture
• Customize the appearance and functionality of the mini-map
• Add characters or points of interest to the mini-map
• Improve navigation and gameplay experience

FAQ

Q: Can I use my own texture for the mini-map? A: Yes, in step 1, you can use your own method to generate a texture using software like Photoshop. Simply replace the default texture with your own in the mini-map configuration.

Q: Can I change the size and position of the mini-map on the screen? A: Yes, in step 2, you can resize and position the mini-map component within the widget blueprint to fit your desired UI layout.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the player's location indicator on the mini-map? A: Yes, in step 3, you can change the size, color, and texture of the player's location indicator to match your game's aesthetics.

Q: Can I add other points of interest to the mini-map, such as quest markers? A: Yes, in step 4, you can add any characters or points of interest to the mini-map by following the provided instructions. This includes adding quest markers, collectibles, or any Relevant entities to help players navigate the game world.

Q: Is the mini-map customizable throughout gameplay? A: Yes, you can further customize and update the mini-map as needed during gameplay by accessing the mini-map component and its associated functions.

Q: Will the characters or points of interest always appear on the mini-map? A: By default, added actors are not persistent and will only appear on the mini-map when within the viewport. However, in step 4, you can use the "Add Persistent Actors" function instead, to make sure the characters or points of interest are always visible on the mini-map, regardless of their position in the game world.