Unreal Engine 5 Tutorial - Data Layers

In this video tutorial we talk about the new Data Layers feature in Unreal Engine 5.

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[clemsamuel]

Warning: This video is out of date. If you are looking to learn how to create and use Data Layers, the process has changed.

In short, you must create a Data Layer Assets (under the "miscellaneous" category), and then assign that layer to your level via the Data Layers window. If you create the Data Layer first you can assign it to the Data Layer asset you created. The rest of the above video works as described.

[WayClose]

Such a calming and informative teacher. Thank you.

[Baleur]

This is so simple and brilliant.
This was the missing key to make my procedurally spawned outposts work.
With a simple Select node or a random float which ties into something similar, i can now simply activate randomly selected datalayers representing entire outposts on a moon's terrain. Brilliant.

[Developesque]

I wish I had a guy like you in my dev life. Thanks for all your videos!

[ShiroiAkumaSama]

This looks super useful for horror games, where you enter a room but when you turn around the room changed. At least with this feature it is much more simplified.

[RalphOpinion]

Hi Ryan, Thanks for this video, this solves my problems, however I have an issue: The option to "add to new data layer" is grayed out. What should I do?

I am in UE 5.21, following your instructions at 2:20 in of the video
After I select actors, I hover mouse to the data layer window area and right click.
The option to "add to new data layer" is grayed out.

What should I do?

[mungulor]

I live for your tutorials, it's like learning from the absolute master

[DeftlyJ]

I'm making a game where you help people and the more you help the bigger their village gets. This seems like a solution for the way I can handle adding in building over time. Thank you.

[owencoopersfx]

As someone who works on audio, this is really helpful. It’s been a bit weird trying to adapt to not having sublevels. Great to know there is an analog to it available in UE5 world partition. Thanks!

[DailyPaily]

This change a bit in 5.1, one more step, still easy to do.

[ThirstyThursten]

I know this video has lads of comments, but anybody figured out how we can "hold" vars when inloading and reloading a Datalayer? Like when you set a Bool on an interaction, but when you unload and reload the Datalayer the var is empty again. Any tips?

[TimCrinion-jr]

So what's the difference between putting the 2 airships in the same data layer, and parenting them to the same folder in the level outliner?

[beauxhunkman]

Do data layers only work with data layer assets? I was trying to organize my level using the regular layers at first, but ran into a world partition issue. I guess when using WP, you cant use layers, or something like that. Which led me to looking up data layers. I was trying to add stuff to a data layer, but it only added once i went into the "Details" panel and toggled with the "Data layer asset' settings. Is that really the only way to use data layers, having to convert all my assets to data layer assets, or am I missing something...?

[milanchu]

Hi Ryan, how do you manage with data layers on multiplayer games?... Data layers are authority only, only runs on server

[astralstormgamestudios]

What about loading in when a WP cell loads in?😊

[phyll]

Hi, i implemented this and it worked great... until i cant spawn without a selected pawn and when I reach a certain distance it just stops and ditches the pawn

[emptybruh]

How can I make specific actor persistent always no matter how far loading and unloading is

[RubyRose]

I know this might be a dumb question but, if I had an area that isn’t loaded until you were to actually go to that area and it unloads whenever you leave is it for per player or just everyone? So if someone enters the room does it load for everyone or just one person?

[val_evs]

how to load a new map in a new way? and another question: when I select an object and try to create a data layer, it’s not active for me. I can only create a new empty layer. - ue5.3

[fryman]

@RyanLaley Looking for ways to modifier my level; Im thinking Data layers is the right track or direction but; let's say, I have a day/night cycle; can I use Data Layers to do things like; modify enemy health, or DMG; when the environment is in a particular state? Day enemy health normal, Night cycle enemy health increased? Hopefully that made sense. If anyone in the comments ahs ideas i would love to hear them.