Control the Near Clip Plane in Unreal Engine

If you’ve ever encountered clipping issues in Unreal Engine, you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll dive into how to control the near clip plane in Unreal Engine 5 for both the Cine Camera Actor and the viewport. These tips will help you overcome common obstacles and get the perfect view in your scenes.

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Fixing the Near Clip Plane in the Cine Camera Actor

Let’s start by controlling the near clip plane within the Cine Camera Actor:

  1. Add a Cine Camera Actor to Your Scene
    Drag and drop the Cine Camera Actor into your scene and position it where you need it. This camera will give you precise control over your cinematic shots.
  2. Find the Near Clipping Plane Option
    Go to the Details panel, type “near clipping plane” in the search bar, and check the Custom Near Clipping Plane option.
  3. Enable Custom Near Clipping Plane
    Check the box labeled “Custom Near Clipping Plane.” Once enabled, you can adjust the value of the near clip plane. Lower values bring the clip plane closer to the camera, while higher values push it further away.
  4. Fine-Tune the Value:
    Play around with the value until you’re happy with the result. For example, if objects are blocking your camera’s view, reducing the near clip plane can clear things up without needing to hide anything in your scene.

This technique is especially handy in ArchViz scenes. You can frame your shots perfectly without messing up the environment or removing any assets.

Fixing the Near Clip Plane in the Viewport

Sometimes, you’ll face clipping issues in the viewport, particularly when trying to zoom in on an object. Here’s how to fix the near clip plane in Unreal Engine’s viewport.

  1. Adjust Project Settings
    • Open Project Settings from the main menu.
    • Navigate to General Settings or search for “near clip plane”.
    • Change the value (e.g., from 10 to 1) and restart your project for the changes to take effect.
  2. Use a Console Command
    • If restarting the engine isn’t convenient, use the console command:
      r.SetNearClipPlane 1
    • Type this in the console (or copy and paste it).
    • Pro tip: Type the first part, use the arrow keys to autocomplete, then add your desired value.
  3. Edit the Config File
    • Navigate to your project’s folder and locate the Config folder.
    • Open the DefaultEngine.ini file and search for “Near Clip Plane.” Set the value to whatever you need (e.g., 1).
    • Save the file, and the next time you open your project, the new setting will be applied.

Why the Near Clip Plane Matters

Understanding how to control the near clip plane is crucial for optimizing your workflow in Unreal Engine. Whether you’re creating cinematic shots or refining your viewport experience, these adjustments can save you time and frustration.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! You now know how to control the near clip plane in Unreal Engine, both in the Cine Camera Actor and the viewport. Whether you’re working on cinematic shots or need a better view for environment design, these tips have you covered.

If you’ve got questions, comments, or suggestions, drop them in the comments section.

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