TouchDesigner & Unreal Engine: OSC Guide

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 41 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to link the real-time wizardry of TouchDesigner with the stunning visuals of Unreal Engine? Well, you're in the right place! This guide is all about using OSC (Open Sound Control) to get these two powerhouses talking to each other. We're going to break it down, step by step, so you can create some seriously cool interactive experiences. So, grab your coffee, and let's dive in!

Why OSC?

OSC is the unsung hero of interactive art and performance. It's a protocol designed for real-time communication between computers, multimedia devices, and other gadgets. Unlike MIDI, which is limited to musical notes and controls, OSC can transmit all sorts of data – floats, integers, strings, you name it! This makes it perfect for sending complex information between TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.

The beauty of OSC lies in its flexibility. You can define your own message structures and tailor them to your specific needs. Plus, it's network-based, so you can even control Unreal Engine from TouchDesigner running on a different computer! Imagine the possibilities: a live performance where the visuals react to the music in real-time, or an interactive installation where people's movements control the environment. OSC makes it all possible.

Think of OSC as a universal translator for your creative projects. It allows different software and hardware to understand each other, regardless of their native languages. This opens up a world of opportunities for creating dynamic and responsive experiences. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, OSC is a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.

Setting up TouchDesigner to Send OSC

Alright, let's get our hands dirty! First, we need to configure TouchDesigner to send OSC messages. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds.

Create a UDP Out CHOP: In your TouchDesigner network, drop down a UDP Out CHOP. This is the node that will handle sending the OSC messages over the network. Think of it as the messenger that carries your data.
Configure the UDP Out CHOP:
- Network Address (localip): This is the IP address of the computer running Unreal Engine. If both TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine are running on the same machine, you can use 127.0.0.1 (localhost). Otherwise, enter the IP address of the machine running Unreal Engine.
- Network Port (localport): Choose a port number that isn't being used by any other application. A common choice is 9000, but you can use any number between 1024 and 65535. Just make sure it matches the port you'll be using in Unreal Engine.
- Message Format: Set this to OSC. This tells the UDP Out CHOP to format the data as OSC messages.
Create a CHOP Channel: Now, we need to create the data that we want to send. You can use any CHOP (Channel Operator) to generate the data. For example, you could use a Noise CHOP to create random values, or a Math CHOP to manipulate existing data. Let's say you have a CHOP with a channel named value1.
Connect the CHOP to the UDP Out CHOP: Simply connect the output of your data-generating CHOP to the input of the UDP Out CHOP. TouchDesigner will automatically package the channel data into OSC messages.
Specify the OSC Address: This is the address that Unreal Engine will use to identify the data. You can set the OSC address in the UDP Out CHOP's parameters. For example, you could set the address to /touchdesigner/value1. It's important to choose a descriptive and consistent naming convention for your OSC addresses. This will make it easier to manage your data in Unreal Engine.

That's it! TouchDesigner is now sending OSC messages to Unreal Engine. Easy peasy, right?

Setting up Unreal Engine to Receive OSC

Now that TouchDesigner is sending OSC messages, we need to configure Unreal Engine to receive them. This involves installing a plugin and creating a Blueprint to handle the incoming data.

Install the OSC Plugin: Unreal Engine doesn't have built-in OSC support, so we need to install a plugin. There are several OSC plugins available on the Unreal Engine Marketplace. Search for "OSC" and choose one that suits your needs. The "OSC" plugin by Epic Games is a good starting point.
Enable the Plugin: Once you've installed the plugin, you need to enable it in the Unreal Engine Editor. Go to Edit > Plugins and find the OSC plugin in the list. Check the box to enable it and restart the editor.
Create a Blueprint: Now, we need to create a Blueprint to handle the incoming OSC messages. In the Content Browser, right-click and choose New > Blueprint Class. Select Actor as the parent class. Name the Blueprint something descriptive, like OSCReceiver.
Open the Blueprint Editor: Double-click the OSCReceiver Blueprint to open it in the Blueprint Editor.
Add an OSC Component: In the Components panel, click Add Component and search for OSC Input. This component will handle receiving OSC messages.
Configure the OSC Input Component:
- Listen Port: This should match the port number you specified in the TouchDesigner UDP Out CHOP (e.g., 9000).
Create an Event for the OSC Address: In the Event Graph, right-click and choose Add Event > OSC Input > On OSC Message Received. This will create an event that is triggered whenever an OSC message is received with a specific address.
Specify the OSC Address: In the Details panel for the On OSC Message Received event, set the Address Pattern to match the OSC address you specified in TouchDesigner (e.g., /touchdesigner/value1).
Process the OSC Data: Now, we need to extract the data from the OSC message and use it to control something in Unreal Engine. The On OSC Message Received event provides an array of Arguments. These are the values that were sent in the OSC message.
- Get Argument: Use a Get node to access the first argument in the array (index 0). This will give you the value of value1 that was sent from TouchDesigner.
- Convert to Float: If the value is a float, use a To Float node to convert it to a float value that you can use in Unreal Engine.
- Set Actor Location: Connect the output of the To Float node to the X input of a Set Actor Location node. This will move the actor in the X axis based on the value of value1.
Place the Blueprint in the Level: Drag the OSCReceiver Blueprint from the Content Browser into your level. Now, when TouchDesigner sends OSC messages to Unreal Engine, the actor will move in the X axis.

And that's it! Unreal Engine is now receiving OSC messages from TouchDesigner and using them to control an actor in the scene. You can repeat these steps to receive multiple OSC messages and control different aspects of your Unreal Engine project.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

No OSC Messages Received:
- Check the IP Address and Port: Make sure the IP address and port number are correct in both TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine. A simple typo can prevent the messages from being received.
- Firewall: Make sure your firewall isn't blocking the OSC messages. You may need to create an exception for the port you're using.
- Network Connectivity: Make sure both computers are on the same network and can communicate with each other.
Incorrect Data Values:
- Check the OSC Address: Make sure the OSC address is correct in both TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine. Case sensitivity matters! /touchdesigner/value1 is different from /TouchDesigner/value1.
- Data Type: Make sure you're converting the data to the correct type in Unreal Engine. If you're sending a float, make sure you're converting it to a float in Unreal Engine.
- Scaling: You may need to scale the data in TouchDesigner or Unreal Engine to get the desired range of values.

Advanced Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics of OSC communication, you can start exploring some more advanced techniques:

Sending Multiple Values: You can send multiple values in a single OSC message by adding more channels to the CHOP in TouchDesigner. In Unreal Engine, you can access the values using the Get node with different indices.
Using OSC Bundles: OSC bundles allow you to group multiple OSC messages together and send them as a single unit. This can be useful for synchronizing data between TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.
Controlling Unreal Engine Parameters: You can use OSC to control any parameter in Unreal Engine, such as material properties, lighting settings, and animation timelines.
Creating Interactive Installations: OSC is a powerful tool for creating interactive installations where people's movements or actions control the visuals and audio in real-time.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to using OSC to connect TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine. With this knowledge, you can create some seriously amazing interactive experiences. Don't be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of what's possible. The possibilities are endless!

Now go forth and create something awesome, guys! And remember, the world is your oyster when you combine the powers of TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine with the magic of OSC. Happy creating!