Binding User Input

Creating FirstPersonCharacter C++ Class

Find BP_FirstPersonCharacter from Content -> Core

Create new C++ class deriving Character and name it FirstPersonCharacter.

Reparent the existing BP_FirstPersonCharacter to FirstPersonCharacter.

Forward Axis

In the FirstPersonCharacter.h add:

private:
    void Forward(float AxisValue);

In FirstPersonCharacter.cpp add:

include:

#include "Components/InputComponent.h"

And add the following functions:

// Called to bind functionality to input
void AFirstPersonCharacter::SetupPlayerInputComponent(UInputComponent* PlayerInputComponent)
{
    Super::SetupPlayerInputComponent(PlayerInputComponent);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis(TEXT("Forward"), this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Forward);
}

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Forward(float AxisValue)
{
    UE_LOG(LogTemp, Warning, TEXT("Forward %f"), AxisValue);
}

We know to BindAxis Forward because we can see it in the input event of BP_FirstPersonCharacter

You can also see the Axis and Inputs from Settings -> Project Setting. Then select Input.

Now delete the graph related to Forward, compile

Window -> Developer Tool -> Output Log

Run the game and we should see that pressing Forward no longer walks forward. But rather it prints to the log.

Jump Action

Now create jump function.

FirstPersonCharacter.h

void Jump();

FirstPersonCharacter.cpp

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Jump()
{
    UE_LOG(LogTemp, Warning, TEXT("Jump"));
}

Now create add to AFirstPersonCharacter::SetupPlayerInputComponent

PlayerInputComponent->BindAction(TEXT("Jump"), EInputEvent::IE_Pressed, this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Jump);

To know about EInputEvent, hit F12 and you’ll see the available events.

UENUM( BlueprintType, meta=(ScriptName="InputEventType"))
enum EInputEvent
{
    IE_Pressed              =0,
    IE_Released             =1,
    IE_Repeat               =2,
    IE_DoubleClick          =3,
    IE_Axis                 =4,
    IE_MAX                  =5,
};

Compile, remove jump in Blueprint event graph, compile blueprint, run to see Jump being logged.

Binding the rest

In Grabber.h add Grab and release with implementation in Grabber.cpp

Add to FirstPersonCharacter.cpp the include

#include "GameFramework/CharacterMovementComponent.h"

Bind the rest of inputs

// Called to bind functionality to input
void AFirstPersonCharacter::SetupPlayerInputComponent(UInputComponent* PlayerInputComponent)
{
    Super::SetupPlayerInputComponent(PlayerInputComponent);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis(TEXT("Forward"), this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Forward);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis(TEXT("Right"), this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Right);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis(TEXT("LookUp"), this, &APawn::AddControllerPitchInput);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis(TEXT("LookRight"), this, &APawn::AddControllerYawInput);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAction(TEXT("Jump"), EInputEvent::IE_Pressed, this, &ACharacter::Jump);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAction(TEXT("Grab"), EInputEvent::IE_Pressed, this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Grab);
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAction(TEXT("Release"), EInputEvent::IE_Pressed, this, &AFirstPersonCharacter::Release);
}

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Forward(float AxisValue)
{
    GetCharacterMovement()->AddInputVector(GetActorForwardVector() * AxisValue);
}

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Right(float AxisValue)
{
    GetCharacterMovement()->AddInputVector(GetActorRightVector() * AxisValue);
}

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Grab()
{
    GetGrabber()->Grab();
}

void AFirstPersonCharacter::Release()
{
    GetGrabber()->Release();
}