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State Transition

Oceanology provides powerful tools for dynamically changing wave states in real time through the use of State Transition Actors. These actors are specifically designed to help you seamlessly alter the ocean conditions, such as transitioning between calm waters and stormy seas, based on different gameplay scenarios. There are three types of State Transition Actors available to suit different needs:

Overview of State Transition Actors

  • BP_Preset_RuntimeWaveManipulatorExample
  • Purpose: Uses preset values for the Beaufort Scale and other wave parameters to switch between predefined ocean conditions.

  • Usage Example: Imagine you want your ocean to switch from a calm state to a stormy one or vice versa. By configuring a few preset values, you can call an event within your game logic to change wave states instantly, providing a smooth and consistent transition.

  • BP_Seconds_RuntimeWaveManipulatorExample

  • Purpose: Adjusts wave settings over a specified duration, making it possible to create gradual transitions between different ocean states.

  • Usage Example: Use this actor if you want your game to simulate the effect of an incoming storm, where the Beaufort Scale and wave settings gradually increase over several minutes. This could be useful for a scenario where a storm builds up slowly, adding drama to the environment.

  • BP_Simple_RuntimeWaveManipulatorExample

  • Purpose: Provides a basic interpolation between two Beaufort Scale values, allowing for linear transitions.
  • Usage Example: If you want to show a storm clearing gradually, you can use this actor to smoothly transition from stormy waves back to calm waters. Set up the start and end wave states, and use a timeline to control the interpolation speed.

How to Use State Transition Actors in Your Project

  1. Add the Actor

  2. Drag and drop the desired Runtime Wave Manipulator actor into your scene.

  3. Configure Wave States

  4. Define both the initial and target wave settings within the actor details. For example, set Beaufort Scale 2 for calm conditions and Beaufort Scale 7 for stormy conditions.

  5. Trigger the Transition

  6. Use in-game events like player actions, entering a specific trigger volume, or even time-based events to start the wave state transition. You can do this by calling functions inside the wave manipulator blueprint.

Example: Dynamic Weather Transition

Imagine a scenario where a storm is approaching a coastal town in your game. You can place a BP_Seconds_RuntimeWaveManipulatorExample actor to simulate the gradual increase in wave intensity as the storm approaches.

  • Configure the Beaufort Scale to increase over a time interval, set the wave steepness and height to increase accordingly, and add any relevant underwater audio effects to match the intensifying waves.

  • Once the storm passes, you can use the BP_Simple_RuntimeWaveManipulatorExample to bring the waves back to a calm state, providing a complete weather cycle experience for players.

Summary

The State Transition Actors in Oceanology are versatile tools that help developers create dynamic and immersive wave transitions. Whether it’s a sudden shift to stormy conditions or a gradual change over time, these actors provide a flexible way to ensure the ocean always feels reactive and alive. By configuring Beaufort Scale settings and using different transition techniques, you can create engaging ocean environments that respond to the narrative and actions within your game.

For more detailed guides and support on using State Transition Actors, please refer to our Discord community or official documentation.