Feature reference

Everything Blueprint Physics Volume adds: the components and the level volume, every Details panel setting with its default, which volume applies to which actor, multiplayer behavior, and the messages you may see. For each node and event, see Blueprint nodes.

At a glance#

Where to find it#

The components draw their shape as a violet wireframe in the viewport; the wireframe is the volume. There are no extra handles, buttons, or menu entries.

The components#

• The component has no collision of its own. It never blocks, overlaps, or appears in traces.
• The volume follows the actor and reshapes when its size or scale changes. A box scales per axis, a sphere uses the smallest scale axis, and a capsule's radius follows the smaller of its X and Y scale, matching the wireframe. A capsule shorter than its radius behaves as a sphere.
• Duplicated actors get their own volume.
• The volume works only while the game is running, not in the editor or the Blueprint preview.

Details panel#

Physics Volume#

A Character's own Gravity Scale still multiplies the volume's gravity.

Filter#

An actor matches when any listed class or tag matches it. Empty entries match nothing.

The collapsed Filter row shows a summary, such as Affects everything, Affects nothing, Ignoring 2 classes, 1 tag, or Only 1 class. An Affect Only Listed Actors filter with both lists empty shows a warning, because it affects nothing.

Physics Volume Collision#

Components only. The volume's collision must Overlap the actors it should affect; Block and Ignore both leave it unable to affect them.

Custom collision is always query-only.

Filtering Physics Volume#

A placed Filtering Physics Volume has the same Physics Volume settings, with these differences:

• It uses the standard Collision section instead of Physics Volume Collision. Its default preset is also OverlapAllDynamic.
• Fluid Friction and Terminal Velocity start from the project's physics settings.
• The engine's own Character Movement and Volume categories are hidden; their values come from the Physics Volume settings.

Which volume applies#

Each actor is governed by the highest-priority volume that:

1. is enabled;
2. lets the actor through its filter;
3. overlaps the actor through its collision;
4. contains the actor's origin, or touches the actor when Physics On Contact is on.

An actor a volume excludes falls through to the next applicable volume, and then to the world's defaults. Equal priorities have no fixed winner.

Actors are checked again when they move and when a setter changes a volume. A volume that moves, grows, or appears around an actor that is standing still applies once that actor moves; call Refresh Overlapping Actors on the volume from Get Hosted Volume to apply it at once.

Which actors are affected#

• Characters, Default Pawns, and pawns using pawn movement are affected.
• Projectile Movement and simple movement components are not affected by default. Turn on Component Should Update Physics Volume on the movement component, or Should Update Physics Volume on the moving component.
• Props simulating physics are not affected.
• The moving component needs Generate Overlap Events and query collision.

A Default Pawn receives the enter and leave events, but has no gravity or swimming.

Multiplayer#

Call the component setters on the server. Make other runtime changes on every machine. The enter and leave events fire on the server and on each client where the actor moves; put damage, scoring, and spawning behind Has Authority.

Messages#

Limits#

• A bare Scene Component that tracks physics volumes bypasses both the filter and Enabled. Use it on Characters, Pawns, or movement components.
• Physics Volume Collision exists on the components only.
• Placed Filtering Physics Volumes are saved in your maps. Delete them, and remove the components from your Blueprints, before disabling the plugin.