Adjusting Flyer Parameters

This guide will teach you how to setup a flying character and some of the basic variables to set. If you would like to see a breakdown of all flying related variables, check out the section below.

Step 1: Enable Flying

To enable flying, all you need to do is set the "Can Fly" variable to be true. This variable can be found in the Blueprint Actor's Details windows, under the category "Gameplay".

Step 2: Adjust Variables

There is a large number of tweaks and changes you can make to the way flying feels. Navigate to the Character Movement Component, then to the "Character Movement: Flying" section to begin making changes. We highly suggest looking at the variables found in the base game flying dinosaur's blueprints, such as BP_Thalassodromeus, for reference.

Speed

The first variables you will want to set is the character's flying speed. Max Fly Speed dictates the maximum flying speed while sprinting. Under the Speeds section yuo will also find the Max Fly Slow Speed variable. This variable dictates the maximum flying speed while not sprinting. You could see it as a equivalent to ground trotting/walking.

Acceleration

Under the "Acceleration" tab you will find Max Fly Acceleration and Max Dive Acceleration. Max Fly Acceleration is the amount of acceleration you will get when flying normally. This account for regular flying, sprint flying, and precise flying. Max Dive Acceleration is the acceleration you will get when at maximum nosedive angle. The current acceleration will ease between Max Fly Acceleration and Max Dive Acceleration depending on the current dive angle of your character.

Thresholds

Next up are the thresholds. The Start Flying Momentum Threshold dictates the speed you must have to be able to start flying. If the character is under this speed, then the character will not be able to start flying. Setting this variable to 0.0 will mean the character can start flying no matter their speed. Start Falling Speed Threshold dictates the speed at which you will start to loose altitude. Any character that is flying and is under this speed will start to fall, unless the precise movement button is held or any movement input is pressed.

Flying Terminology

"Flying" - The state of your character after pressing the jump button in the air

"Gliding" - When your character is flying, but no inputs are currently held.

"Nosediving" - When your character is pressing forward, and the camera is looking downwards.

List of Variable Explanations

Gameplay

Can Fly - Allows the character to fly. This bool is required to be enabled for all other variables to work.

Damage

Nosedive Damage Multiplier - When colliding with other dinosaurs at high speeds, you will deal damage to them as well as yourself. This multiplier affects how much damage the other character will take. (E.G At 0.0 the other character will take no damage. At 1.0 the other character will take as much damage as you have taken. At 2.0 the other character will take double the amount of damage you have taken)

Character Movement Variable Breakdown

Start Flying Momentum Threshold - The speed required to start flying. If set to 0, this will allow the player to start flying no matter their velocity.

Start Falling Speed Threshold - The speed at which you will start falling while flying. If you are under this speed, then you will start losing altitude.

Flying Hot Air Column Force - The force at which a hot air column will send you upwards.

Nosediving Ease Exponent - Increases the angle needed to gain a lot of speed. If set to 1.0, the speed of your character will linearly change from your current speed to the max diving speed based on your current downwards angle. If the variable is higher than 1.0, then a steeper angle is needed to reach a higher speed.

Momentum Follow Through Speed - The speed at which the character will follow your camera or input at high speeds.

Max Fly Speed - The speed at which your character will fly while sprinting.

Braking Deceleration Flying - The speed at which you will slow down when not applying any inputs

Speeds

Max Fly Slow Speed - The max speed at which your character will fly when NOT sprinting.

Max Fly Descent Speed - The max speed at which you will descent when under the speed threshold.

Max Nosediving Speed - The max speed you can get from diving (E.G Diving straight down)

Max Precise Fly Speed - The max speed at which your character will move when precise moving.

Multipliers

Descent Gravity Multiplier - When your character is not going fast enough, it gets gravity applied onto it. This multiplier affects that gravity amount.

Out of Stam Friction Multiplier - Multipliers the flying friction by this amount when out of stamina.

Fly Upwards Speed Multiplier - Multiplies the horizontal movement by this value. If set to 1.0, you are able to go upwards as fast as you can move forwards. If set to 0.5, you can move upwards at half the speed you can move forwards.

Fly Carry Speed Multiplier - Multiplier the current flying max speed by this value when carrying an item.

Acceleration

Max Fly Acceleration - The maximum acceleration you get while flying normally.

Max Dive Acceleration - The maximum acceleration you can get from diving.

Friction

Fly Friction - The friction you get from flying normally.

Fly Precise Friction - The friction you get from flying in precise mode

Vertical Gliding Friction - The friction that will level out your character over time while gliding. If this is set to 0 and you are flying upwards, gliding will not level out your character overtime. Therefore your character will continue flying upwards as long as there is no input.

High Speed Controls

Speed Max Pitch - The maximum pitch the character can go while flying at high speeds. Increasing this means the character can go up or down faster at high speeds.

Animation/Speed Angle Multiplier - Multiplies the current roll of the character by this as high speeds. Allows for more exaggerated or subtle roll movement at highspeeds.

Animation

Angle Being Diving - The diving animation will play when at or below this angle.

Angle Fly Upwards - The angle at which the character will pitch upwards when looking upwards while flying.

Animation/Smooth Turning

The smooth turning mechanic gives more fluid movement to flying characters. It also enables the ability to roll when turning.

Use Smooth Flying Movement - Enables or disables the use of smooth movement animation.

Flying Roll Max Angle - The maximum angle the character will roll to when turning.

Angle Multiplier - Multiplies the roll animation of the character by this value. Applies at all times, unlike the "Speed Angle Multiplier" which only applies at high speeds.

Flying Smooth Turning Speed - The speed at which the character will smoothly rotation. If set to zero, then the rotation will happen instantly instead of over time. X = Pitch, Y = Roll, Z = Yaw

Summary:

By following this tutorial, you have:

• Enabled flying on your creature
• Adjusted the parameters and variables to have it fly the way you desire