unreal.drfalken.net / reference / construction_scripts

Construction Scripts

Door Lock Status Indicator with a Point Light

STEP 01

Add a Point Light to the Door

  • Select the door's cube component in the viewport.
  • Go to the Components panel and add a Point Light component.
  • The Point Light will be parented to the cube automatically.
  • Position the light at the front of the door.
  • Adjust the light's radius to a suitable size.
STEP 02

Use the Construction Script to Set Light Color Based on Door Lock Status

  • Open the Construction Script tab in the Blueprint's Event Graph.
  • Drag out the Boolean variable that indicates if the door is locked (e.g., is locked).
  • Drag out the Point Light component.
  • Use the Set Light Color node to change the light's color.
  • Use a Select node with the Boolean as the condition:
    • If true (locked), set the light color to red.
    • If false (unlocked), set the light color to green.
  • Compile and save the Blueprint.
  • This setup will update the light color when the door is created or edited in the editor.
STEP 03

Update Light Color During Gameplay

  • Go to the event functions for locking and unlocking the door (e.g., Lock Door and Unlock Door).
  • Copy the logic from the Construction Script that sets the light color.
  • Paste this logic into both the Lock Door and Unlock Door functions.
  • Connect the is locked Boolean to the Select node to determine the color.
  • Compile and save the Blueprint.
STEP 04

Test in Game

  • Play the game and observe the door's light color.
  • When the door is locked, the light should be red.
  • When the door is unlocked (e.g., by pressing a button), the light should change to green.

This tutorial helps visualize the door's locked status to the player using a colored light that updates both in the editor (via the Construction Script) and during gameplay (via the Lock Door / Unlock Door event functions).