Skip to content

Behavior & Rules

Rules can be assigned to each node class to define which connections are allowed and where nodes can be placed. Their purpose is to automate workflow and help designers understand what should be allowed and what isn't.

They are calculated when opening the state machine graph context menu or when dragging connections. Rules are only lightly enforced during editor time and have no effect at compile or run-time.

They can be configured in the details panel for the class defaults for all types of node classes.

RuleAnimation

States & Conduits

State rules specify whether a state class can be connected to another state. If the rule fails a connection won't be made.

The advanced option Hide from Context Menu if Rules Fail will restrict the node from showing up in the right click context menu unless the rules pass. In the example project, BP_DialogueChoiceNodes are only allowed when branching from a normal BP_DialogueNode.

BehaviorState

Transitions

Transition rules specify whether that transition will be automatically placed or not.

In this example connecting a BP_DialogueNode to any other node will automatically place this transition class.

BehaviorTransition

State Machines

State machine node classes allow you to decide what nodes are allowed when editing this type of state machine. In the example project, the BP_SkillTree state machine is assigned the state machine node class BP_SkillStateMachine which only allows BP_SkillNode and default state classes to be placed.

  • Calls to parents and references can also be restricted.
  • Default Sub State Machine Class allows a default node class to be assigned when creating a nested state machine or collapsing states to a state machine.
  • ConnectionRules impact when this state machine is used as a nested FSM state connected to other states. They operate the same as normal state behavior.

BehaviorStateMachine

Assign Default Node Classes

Notice how SMStateInstance is assigned to Allowed States. This is so the default State can be added. This is needed because BP_SkillNode is assigned, which automatically prevents all other node types from showing up, including the defaults.

To allow adding empty state machines, we would need to add SMStateMachineInstance to Allowed States and make sure Allow Sub State Machines is checked.

Misc

  • Default classes can also be considered for rules.
    • SMStateInstance (states)
    • SMConduitInstance (conduits)
    • SMTransitionInstance (transitions)
    • SMStateMachineInstance (state machine classes)
  • Include Children considers the class in question and all children.
  • NOT will NOT the current rule. (ie consider all classes except the current class)