Outliner

The Outliner in Unreal Engine is like a bird’s-eye view of all the objects in your level. It lists everything in an organized way, so you can find, select, and manage your objects easily. Let’s explore the Outliner step by step:

What is the Outliner?

• The Outliner is located on the right side of the Unreal Engine interface (above the Details Panel by default).
• It shows a list of all objects in your current level, including:
  • Static meshes (e.g., chairs, walls)
  • Lights
  • Cameras
  • Blueprints
• You can use it to manage and organize these objects.

Key Features of the Outliner

1. Search Bar
   • Quickly find any object by typing its name in the search bar at the top.
   • Saves time in large levels with many objects.
2. Hierarchy
   • Objects are shown in a tree-like structure.
   • Parent-child relationships are displayed, where:
     • Parent: Controls the child object (e.g., moving a chair moves its attached cushion).
     • Child: Follows the parent’s transformations.
3. Renaming Objects
   • Click on an object’s name to rename it.
   • Clear names like “PlayerStart” or “WindowFrame” help you stay organized.
4. Visibility Toggle
   • Each object has a small eye icon next to it.
   • Click the eye to hide or show the object in the Viewport.
5. Drag-and-Drop Organization
   • Drag objects to group or parent them.
   • For example, group all furniture under a “Living Room” folder.
6. Right-Click Menu
   • Right-click an object to access options like:
     • Deleting the object.
     • Focusing the camera on it.
     • Adding a folder for better organization.

How to Use the Outliner

1. Find Objects Quickly
   • Use the search bar or scroll through the list to locate an object.
2. Organize Your Level
   • Create folders for different sections (e.g., “Environment,” “Characters”).
   • Drag objects into folders to keep the Outliner tidy.
3. Select and Edit Objects
   • Click on an object in the Outliner to select it in the Viewport.
   • Use the Details Panel to edit its properties.
4. Manage Visibility
   • Use the eye icon to hide objects you’re not working on to reduce clutter in the Viewport.

Why is the Outliner Important?

• Keeps your level organized, especially in big projects.
• Makes it easy to find and manage objects.
• Helps you work faster and focus on specific parts of your game.

The Outliner is your control center for managing everything in your level. Mastering it will make your workflow smoother and more efficient!