NV Spline Tools

Video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/SOtLSvCKrDo

NV Spline Tools is a system for setting up a modular sequence of meshes to follow the path of a spline.These can either be SplineMesh components, bent along the spline’s curve, or static meshes placed at fixed distances along it.

It is built entirely in Blueprints, and is designed to be used at edit time to help create levels.

It can be used to quickly create flexible level features such as fences, walls, tracks, pipes, etc.

Features:

• Place and deform SplineMeshes along a spline:
  • Repeating segments along the entire length of the spline
  • Repeating segments between each point on the spline
  • Segments stretched between each point on the spline
• Place static meshes along a spline:
  • At fixed distances along the spline
  • Between deformed segments
  • At points on the spline
• Adjust the placement of meshes based on the length of the spline:
  • Stretch meshes to cover the distance
  • Stop placing meshes shortly before the end of the spline if there is not enough space to fit a full mesh
• Select from a list of meshes to use:
  • Randomly
  • Sequentially
• Adjust the mesh sequence based on the distance to cover:
  • Complete the sequence by using the mesh that most closely matches the remaining distance
  • Always use the longest segment(s) until the last segment
• Use different meshes for the first or last segment in the sequence
• Automatically snap the spline to the ground underneath it
• Re-generate of the sequence at run-time

These tools are designed to be a customisable base system for any kind of flexible architecture.

While two simple sets of example meshes are included, this system is primarily designed to be used with user-supplied static meshes.

The package also includes the two sample usages shown in the images and video, complete with simple models and PBR materials.

• Wooden fence sample, a set of 6 wooden fence segment meshes and 1 wooden post mesh.
• A simple corridor, only for demonstration purposes

Note that when creating your own meshes to use with this system, the meshes should be aligned along the X axis, as the meshes will be placed along the spline from -X to +X.

Full documentation (Google Docs)

Keywords: SplineMesh, SplineMeshes, spline, placed, placement, curved, curving, bent, bending, twisted, twisting, warped, warping, fence, wall, road, tunnel, rail, track, equidistant.