Introduction
Aximmetry can connect to AX Scene Editor or AX Scene Render Node in three distinct ways, each suited to different production scenarios:
- Cooked mode: Offers the best performance and is recommended for final production.
- Editor Data mode: Provides good performance without the need for cooking. Supports interactive, real-time editing through Multi-User Editing.
- Live Sync mode: Enables interactive, real-time editing. Ideal for environments where on-the-fly adjustments are required.
IMPORTANT: Live Sync mode can only be used with the AX Scene Editor.
To switch between these modes, change the Connection parameter of the AX Scene Project module in the Flow Editor:
Cooked Mode
In Cooked mode, Aximmetry directly loads content generated by the AX Scene Editor, eliminating the need to run the AX Scene Editor itself. This also allows cooked scenes to be used by the AX Scene Render Node without requiring an AX Scene Editor. Cooked mode is recommended for live production due to its superior performance.
Aximmetry uses the cooked version of the project, which is generated when you select Cook Content for Aximmetry from the Aximmetry menu in AX Scene Editor:
Consequently, any changes made to the scene in AX Scene Editor require the project to be cooked again. Aximmetry can remain active with the Unreal Project module set to Cooked mode and will automatically recognize and reload the project once the cooking process is completed.
Editor Data Mode
Like Cooked mode, Editor Data mode allows Aximmetry to load content without running the AX Scene Editor. However, Editor Data mode does not require cooking, which can streamline the workflow in some multi-machine setups. This comes at the cost of reduced performance compared to Cooked mode.
Editor Data mode scenes can also be used by the AX Scene Render Node without requiring an AX Scene Editor.
A key advantage of Editor Data Mode is its support for interactive, real-time editing through the Multi-User Editing plugin.
Instead of using cooked data, it loads data intended for the AX Scene Editor, without the AX Scene Editor running.
Be aware that Editor Data mode can increase project load times, especially on the first load.
Live Sync Mode
In Live Sync mode, Aximmetry and AX Scene Editor must be running at the same time. Aximmetry establishes a connection with the active AX Scene Editor session when you initiate Play in the AX Scene Editor.
This mode is invaluable during the scene development phase of your project, allowing for real-time editing and testing without the need to cook the project after each modification.
To use Live Sync, press Play in AX Scene Editor for Aximmetry:
In Aximmetry, select the Unreal Project module in the Flow Editor and set the Connection pin to Live Sync:
After performing these steps, the same visual output should be visible in both Aximmetry and the AX Scene Editor.
You have the flexibility to stop and restart either the scene in AX Scene Editor, the Aximmetry compound, or even AX Scene Editor and Aximmetry itself. The connection between the AX Scene Editor and Aximmetry will be re-established automatically.
IMPORTANT: AX Scene Editor does not save changes made during play. Once play is stopped, all modifications to objects in the scene (map) will revert to their state prior to initiating play. However, you can save objects with the Keep Simulation Changes option.
NOTE: Live Sync is not fully usable in a Multi-Machine setup. The AX Scene Editor running on the controller machine will only be received by the controller machine's Aximmetry. For a full solution, use Editor Data mode with Multi-User Editing with Aximmetry.
NOTE: The AX Scene Editor's viewport resolution adjusts automatically following the Out Size pin's value of the Unreal Project module, similar to in Cooked mode. If the game runs in a separate window within the AX Scene Editor, that window's dimensions will also be modified.
NOTE: The "Use Less CPU when in Background" setting in AX Scene Editor Preferences is persistently disabled by the AX Scene Editor to ensure optimal performance during Live Sync.
Simulate Camera of AX Scene Editor
While Live Sync is running, or even when only the AX Scene Editor is open, you can detach from Aximmetry’s camera and move around using the Simulate Camera mode:
If Live Sync is already running, use the following button at the same place to activate Simulate Camera mode:
This feature allows you to interact with and select objects directly in the viewport during Live Sync, rather than relying solely on the Outliner panel.
Keep Live Sync Changes
It is possible to save changes made to objects during Live Sync by selecting the Keep Simulation Changes (K) option for an object or objects.
This will ensure that the current modifications to the objects are preserved, so they will remain even when Live Sync is turned off.
NOTE: This option also works when selecting objects on the Viewport in Simulate Camera.
