Designer Level Mods - Revision history

Hannah: /* Create A Designer Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level) */

2025-09-25T00:14:56Z

Create A Designer Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:14, 24 September 2025
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	[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]		[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]

	Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like <code>_aesthetic</code> to help you differentiate it from the [[Designer Level Mods:Create A Locator Level\|locator level]].		Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like <code>_aesthetic</code> to help you differentiate it from the [[Designer Level Mods#Create A Locator Level\|locator level]].

	Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation]. Keep in mind the more demanding and complex the scene, the lower FPS players will get when they use your Designer Level in game.		Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation]. Keep in mind the more demanding and complex the scene, the lower FPS players will get when they use your Designer Level in game.

Hannah: /* Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level) */

2025-09-25T00:10:10Z

Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:10, 24 September 2025
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	##Set up a mod.		##Set up a mod.
	##Create and fill out a <code>Designer Level</code> file.		##Create and fill out a <code>Designer Level</code> file.
	##Create your ~~aesthetic~~ level (or reuse a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]).		##Create your level (or reuse a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]).
	##Create your car and engine locator level		##Create your car and engine locator level (optional).
	##~~Assign variables in~~ Designer Level ~~to your newly created levels~~		##Fill out the Designer Level file.
	#In the Automation Workshop Publishing Tool:		#In the Automation Workshop Publishing Tool:
	##Set up a workshop item.		##Set up a workshop item.
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	*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.		*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.
	*'''Year''' - This is the ~~year~~ the ~~level is set in~~, and ~~appears next to the name in the level select screen~~.		*'''Year''' - This is the actual paint itself. The material instance defines how the paint looks, what parameters are available, and how it looks when exported.
	*'''Designer Types''' - An array containing the possible uses of this designer level. It should either contain Car & Engine Designer and/or Engine Designer		*'''Designer Types''' - An array containing the possible uses of this designer level. It should either contain Car & Engine Designer and/or Engine Designer
	*'''Description''' - Additional text shown when mousing over a preview of a designer level in game.		*'''Description''' - Additional text shown when mousing over a preview of a designer level in game.
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	*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.		*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.

	===Create ~~An Aesthetic~~ Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)===		===Create A Designer Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)===
	If you do not have an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]: Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual environment the player will see in game.		If you do not have an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]: Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual environment the player will see in game.

	[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]		[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]

	Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like _aesthetic to help you differentiate it from the locator level.		Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like <code>_aesthetic</code> to help you differentiate it from the [[Designer Level Mods:Create A Locator Level\|locator level]].

	Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation]. Keep in mind the more demanding and complex the scene, the lower FPS players will get when they use your Designer Level in game.		Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation]. Keep in mind the more demanding and complex the scene, the lower FPS players will get when they use your Designer Level in game.

	=== Create ~~An Aesthetic~~ Level ~~from an existing No~~ Photoscene Mod Level) ===		=== Create A Designer Level Alongside A Photoscene Mod Level) ===

	* If you want to ~~use an existing~~ [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] you need to create the designer level assets within the same mod as the photoscene level.		* If you want to make your [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] into a designer level too, you need to create the designer level assets within the same mod as the photoscene level. You cannot separate the design room into its own mod.

	=== ~~Create A Locator Level~~ ===		=== Design Room requirements ===

	* Copy ExampleDL_Locator from the ExampleDesignerLevel plugin to your mod, and rename it appropriately. For some reason you have to use Ctrl + C to copy the level from the content browser, and Ctrl + V to paste it in your mod, as there is no right-click menu copy.		* Copy <code>ExampleDL_Locator</code> from the <code>ExampleDesignerLevel</code> plugin to your mod, and rename it appropriately. For some reason you have to use Ctrl + C to copy the level from the content browser, and Ctrl + V to paste it in your mod, as there is no right-click menu copy.
			* Move the <code>Engine Builder</code> and <code>Engine Designer Character</code> to where you want your engine designer to be.
			* Move the <code>Car Builder</code>, <code>Car Designer Character</code>, and <code>Car Hoist Jack Lift</code> to where you want your car designer to be.

Hannah: /* Create A Custom Designer Level */

2025-09-24T23:46:20Z

Create A Custom Designer Level

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 24 September 2025
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	*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.		*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.
	*'''Year''' - This is the ~~actual paint itself. The material instance defines how~~ the ~~paint looks, what parameters are available~~, and ~~how it looks when exported~~.		*'''Year''' - This is the year the level is set in, and appears next to the name in the level select screen.
	*'''Designer Types''' - An array containing the possible uses of this designer level. It should either contain Car & Engine Designer and/or Engine Designer		*'''Designer Types''' - An array containing the possible uses of this designer level. It should either contain Car & Engine Designer and/or Engine Designer
	*'''Description''' - Additional text shown when mousing over a preview of a designer level in game.		*'''Description''' - Additional text shown when mousing over a preview of a designer level in game.

Isaac: /* Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level) */

2023-03-08T05:09:49Z

Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 7 March 2023
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	===Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)===		===Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)===
	If you do not have an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]: Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual ~~designed level~~.		If you do not have an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]: Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual environment the player will see in game.

	[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]		[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]

Isaac at 05:08, 8 March 2023

2023-03-08T05:08:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 7 March 2023
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	*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.		*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.

	===Create An Aesthetic Level===		===Create An Aesthetic Level from scratch (No Photoscene Mod Level)===
	If you ~~already~~ have a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] ~~you want to use in the car/engine designers you can skip this step.~~		If you do not have an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]: Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual designed level.

	Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual designed level.

	[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]		[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]
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	Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like _aesthetic to help you differentiate it from the locator level.		Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like _aesthetic to help you differentiate it from the locator level.

	Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation].		Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation]. Keep in mind the more demanding and complex the scene, the lower FPS players will get when they use your Designer Level in game.

			=== Create An Aesthetic Level from an existing No Photoscene Mod Level) ===

			* If you want to use an existing [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] you need to create the designer level assets within the same mod as the photoscene level.

			=== Create A Locator Level ===

			* Copy ExampleDL_Locator from the ExampleDesignerLevel plugin to your mod, and rename it appropriately. For some reason you have to use Ctrl + C to copy the level from the content browser, and Ctrl + V to paste it in your mod, as there is no right-click menu copy.

Isaac at 04:04, 8 March 2023

2023-03-08T04:04:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 7 March 2023
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	[[File:Creating A Designer Level.png\|frameless]]		[[File:Creating A Designer Level.png\|frameless]]

	Open the Designer Level file. It has a few parameters:		Rename and Open the Designer Level file. It has a few parameters:

	*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.		*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.
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	*'''Levels''' - An array of UE4 Levels, usually comprising of 1 [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] and 1 level with several blueprints within in it.		*'''Levels''' - An array of UE4 Levels, usually comprising of 1 [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] and 1 level with several blueprints within in it.
	*'''Preview Images''' - Images shown as thumbnails when the player is selecting a level. They should show off what the player should expect to see from the environment around the car and engines.		*'''Preview Images''' - Images shown as thumbnails when the player is selecting a level. They should show off what the player should expect to see from the environment around the car and engines.
	*GUID - The unique identifier of this level. This must be regenerated ~~if you copy an existing~~ designer level.		*'''GUID''' - The unique identifier of this level. This must be regenerated for every new designer level.
	*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.		*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.

	===Create An Aesthetic Level===		===Create An Aesthetic Level===
	If you already have a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] ~~created~~ you can skip this step.		If you already have a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] you want to use in the car/engine designers you can skip this step.

	Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual designed level.		Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual designed level.
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	[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]		[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]

			Rename the level to the name of your mod, and end it with something like _aesthetic to help you differentiate it from the locator level.

	~~Open~~ the ~~material. UE4 uses standard PBR Metallic-Roughness workflows~~. ~~What this means is you define a material by giving it:~~		Double click the level to open and edit it. Follow tutorials to learn how to use the level editor, such as the [https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/BuildingWorlds/LevelEditor/ Unreal Documentation].

	*a colour (0,0,0 - 1,1,1)
	*telling it how rough it is (0 - 1, 0 being shiny)
	*how ~~metallic it is (0 - 1, 0 being plastic)~~

	~~as well as a few additional things that help optimise parts of~~ the ~~rendering process~~, such as:

Isaac at 23:00, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T23:00:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 7 March 2023
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	##Set up a workshop item.		##Set up a workshop item.
	##Share your mod.		##Share your mod.
			==Create your Designer Level Mod==

			===Create A New Mod===

			After setting up the modding SDK from [[Modding\|Here]], create a new blank mod:

			[[File:UE4ModCreation_02.gif\|alt=\|frameless]]

			===Create A Custom Designer Level===
			In your mod content folder, right-click and add a new <code>Designer Level</code> file. This is the file the game uses to load the levels.

			[[File:Creating A Designer Level.png\|frameless]]

			Open the Designer Level file. It has a few parameters:

			*'''Name''' - This is text displayed on the preview of of the environment that shows in game.
			*'''Year''' - This is the actual paint itself. The material instance defines how the paint looks, what parameters are available, and how it looks when exported.
			*'''Designer Types''' - An array containing the possible uses of this designer level. It should either contain Car & Engine Designer and/or Engine Designer
			*'''Description''' - Additional text shown when mousing over a preview of a designer level in game.
			*'''Levels''' - An array of UE4 Levels, usually comprising of 1 [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] and 1 level with several blueprints within in it.
			*'''Preview Images''' - Images shown as thumbnails when the player is selecting a level. They should show off what the player should expect to see from the environment around the car and engines.
			*GUID - The unique identifier of this level. This must be regenerated if you copy an existing designer level.
			*'''Family GUID''' - Not used. Click generate for a unique Family GUID anyway.

			===Create An Aesthetic Level===
			If you already have a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]] created you can skip this step.

			Right-click the content browser again, and create a new <code>Level.</code> This is the actual designed level.

			[[File:Make Level.jpg\|frameless]]


			Open the material. UE4 uses standard PBR Metallic-Roughness workflows. What this means is you define a material by giving it:

			*a colour (0,0,0 - 1,1,1)
			*telling it how rough it is (0 - 1, 0 being shiny)
			*how metallic it is (0 - 1, 0 being plastic)

			as well as a few additional things that help optimise parts of the rendering process, such as:

Isaac at 06:04, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T06:04:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 6 March 2023
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	From update 4.3 onwards, Automation supports the creation mod levels ~~displayed when a player is editing a~~ car or engine.		From update 4.3 onwards, Automation supports the creation mod levels that change the environment around the car or engine being designed by a player.

	==Overview==		==Overview==
	A <code>Designer Level</code> is a collection of Unreal Levels with a name, description, preview thumbnails and a year. ~~Players have the option to select a <code>Designer Level</code> to show when they enter the car & engine designer, or the engine designer.~~		A <code>Designer Level</code> is a collection of Unreal Levels with a name, description, preview thumbnails and a year.

	Usually, <code>Designer Levels</code> combine Photoscene Mod Levels		Players have the option to select a different <code>Designer Level</code> to show when they enter the car & engine designer, or the engine designer.

			Usually, <code>Designer Levels</code> combine [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Levels]] with an additional level containing locators to position the cars and engines that are spawned by the car & engine designers.
	==Workflow==		==Workflow==
	#In UE4:		#In UE4:
	##Set up a mod.		##Set up a mod.
	##Create and fill out a <code>~~Custom Paint~~</code> file.		##Create and fill out a <code>Designer Level</code> file.
	##Create your ~~Custom Paint material~~.		##Create your aesthetic level (or reuse a [[Photoscenes\|Photoscene Mod Level]]).
	##Assign variables to ~~the export user data.~~		##Create your car and engine locator level
			##Assign variables in Designer Level to your newly created levels
	#In the Automation Workshop Publishing Tool:		#In the Automation Workshop Publishing Tool:
	##Set up a workshop item.		##Set up a workshop item.
	##Share your mod.		##Share your mod.
	~~==Create your Custom Paint mod==~~

Isaac: Added Designer Level Mods page

2023-03-07T05:53:43Z

Added Designer Level Mods page

New page

From update 4.3 onwards, Automation supports the creation mod levels displayed when a player is editing a car or engine.

==Overview==
A <code>Designer Level</code> is a collection of Unreal Levels with a name, description, preview thumbnails and a year. Players have the option to select a <code>Designer Level</code> to show when they enter the car & engine designer, or the engine designer.

Usually, <code>Designer Levels</code> combine Photoscene Mod Levels
==Workflow==
#In UE4:
##Set up a mod.
##Create and fill out a <code>Custom Paint</code> file.
##Create your Custom Paint material.
##Assign variables to the export user data.
#In the Automation Workshop Publishing Tool:
##Set up a workshop item.
##Share your mod.
==Create your Custom Paint mod==