> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.warpathstudios.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Visual Mesh Replacement

> 1.

### **How It Works**

1. Each equipment slot references a `SkeletalMeshComponent`
2. When an item is equipped, its mesh is applied to that component
3. Materials can be overridden based on rarity
4. Body parts can be hidden to prevent clipping

### **Setting Up Mesh Components**

**Blueprint**:

1. Add skeletal mesh components to your character:

   ```
   Character Blueprint:
   ├── Mesh (Main body)
   ├── Head_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   ├── Chest_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   ├── Legs_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   ├── Feet_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   ├── MainHand_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   └── OffHand_Mesh (SkeletalMeshComponent)
   ```
2. Set up attachment:

   * Parent each component to appropriate sockets
   * Head\_Mesh → head socket
   * Chest\_Mesh → spine\_03 socket
   * MainHand\_Mesh → hand\_r socket
   * etc.
3. Configure mesh components:

   ```
   Master Pose Component: Mesh (main body)
   ```

   This makes equipment follow the main skeleton's animation.

### **Mesh Variants**

Items store their meshes in a `SkeletalMeshes` map on `ItemDataAsset`, keyed by `FName`. When equipment is applied to a slot, the system resolves the mesh key in this order:

1. **Slot name** (spaces removed) — e.g., `"Helmet"`, `"MainHand"`

2. **Tag last component** — last segment of the slot's `RequiredTag`, e.g., `"Head"` from `Items.Equipment.Head`

3. \*`"Default"`\*\* — fallback key

4. \*`"Slot0"`, `"Slot1"`, …\*\* — slot index as string

5. **First available mesh** in the map

Items can have different meshes for different character types:

**In ItemDataAsset**:

```
Equipment Mesh Variants:
   Default: SK_Helmet_Default
   Male: SK_Helmet_Male
   Female: SK_Helmet_Female
```

**In EquipmentComponent**:

```
EquipmentComponent->SetCharacterType("Female");
// Now equipment will prefer Female variants
```

### **Material Overrides**

Apply different materials based on rarity:

![47425c27300e9af65b257f77c2d962db.png](https://api.beta.slimwiki.com/api/v1/assets/wikis%2F4f79e6be-793b-4980-99c0-f2cf0c0e6771%2Fpages%2Fa5d7be49-7b90-4558-8162-ee2ccfc784dc%2Fimages%2F47425c27300e9af65b257f77c2d962db-00221981-80ee-4b4b-be2e-65dfb26299b8.png "47425c27300e9af65b257f77c2d962db.png")

**In ItemDataAsset**:

```
Equipment Material Overrides:
   Item.Rarity.Common: M_Helmet_Grey
   Item.Rarity.Rare: M_Helmet_Blue
   Item.Rarity.Epic: M_Helmet_Purple
   Item.Rarity.Legendary: M_Helmet_Orange
```

When a Rare helmet is equipped, it automatically uses the blue material.

### **Manual Visual Update**

Force update visuals:

**Blueprint**:

```
[EquipmentComponent] → UpdateEquipmentVisuals
   Slot Index: 0
```

```
[EquipmentComponent] → UpdateAllEquipmentVisuals
```

**C++**:

```
// Update single slot
EquipmentComponent->UpdateEquipmentVisuals(SlotIndex);

// Update all slots
EquipmentComponent->UpdateAllEquipmentVisuals();
```

***

## **Body Part Hiding**

### **Overview**

When equipment is worn, you may want to hide parts of the character mesh to prevent clipping (e.g., hide hair under helmet).

### **Configuration**

**In ItemDataAsset**:

```
Hides Body Parts: true
Body Parts To Hide: [Hair, Head, Eyebrows]
```

**In Equipment Slot Definition**:

```
Hides Base Mesh: true
Base Mesh Parts To Hide: [Hair, Head]
```

### **How It Works**

When equipment is equipped:

```
EquipmentComponent->SetBaseMeshPartsVisibility(
    BaseMeshPartsToHide,
    false  // Hide
);
```

When equipment is unequipped:

```
EquipmentComponent->SetBaseMeshPartsVisibility(
    BaseMeshPartsToHide,
    true  // Show
);
```

### **Mesh Part Names**

Common mesh part names (depends on your skeletal mesh):

* `Hair`
* `Head`
* `Eyebrows`
* `Beard`
* `FacialHair`
* `Torso`
* `Arms`
* `Legs`

Check your character's skeletal mesh to find the exact material slot names.