This Unreal Engine workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to building gameplay-ready character animation systems in UE5. Taylor Whitsett focuses on the technical animator’s role in integrating animation with gameplay, following a realistic, production-oriented workflow used in modern game development. His lessons are intended for beginner to intermediate artists, animators, and technical artists, with at least a foundational level of navigating Unreal Engine 5. Knowledge of basic core 3D principles is recommended.
Over the course of 5 hours, Taylor covers the requirements for runtime animation assets, including skeletal meshes and rigs, character configuration, player gameplay systems, and animation blueprint logic. Topics include blend spaces, aim offsets, animation montages, root motion, combo systems using animation notifies, and animation retargeting with Unreal’s IK Rig and IK Retargeter systems. Other topics covered include: Unreal’s Enhanced Input System, camera setup, character movement logic, and best practices for scalable, data-driven animation systems.
Experience and knowledge about common pitfalls, debugging systems, structuring logic, and blueprints for growth and feature iteration are shared throughout. By the end of the workshop, artists should expect to have built a fully playable character with locomotion, aiming, melee combos, and retargeted animations, along with a clear understanding of how Unreal’s animation and gameplay systems interact.
Project files provided with this workshop include the Nyra mesh and accompanying weapon props for retargeting. The royalty-free gun model utilized by Taylor is available from CGTrader. The workshop also features several free asset packs from the FAB Marketplace.
