The image also shows me modifying the installation, so the button at the bottom right is Modify instead of Install. Do note that Unreal Engine installer is not necessary for this guide. The image below outlines the different options you'll need. You'll want to select Game development with C++ as well as these additional options under the optional settings on the side panel:

You can find downloads for Visual Studio here, including the Community edition, which is perpetually free.ĭuring installation, you'll be prompted with various extras to install. This ensures you're working with the same compiler version that the author and Epic are using for that engine version. I recommend always getting the correct version of Visual Studio, even though you may “get away” with a different version. It doesn't matter if they're precompiled or not, because you'll also need to Convert your Project to a C++ Project anyway to use project-based plugins.īelow is a table of which Visual Studio version you'll need based on the engine version of your project (acquired from Epic's official table). Since plugins are written in C++, you'll need Visual Studio to be able to compile the plugins that are in your project folder. Project Directory/Folder/Dir: This is the directory/folder where your projects ProjectName.uproject file is located. Project File: This is your ProjectName.uproject file. Convert Your Project to a C++ Project (you must do this, but you only have to do it once per project)īelow are some common phrases that we'll be using within this guide.Definitions - some predefined terms we use throughout the guide.You want to ensure your project is using a specific version of the plugin.You want to edit the functionality/code of a plugin.

You want to commit/check-in your plugin to source control for others on your team to use.

It'll work most of the time, but you may have to deal with compiler errors.

Do note that the plugin may not support that engine version since Epic changes APIs/etc.

You want to install the plugin for a different version than what's supported on the Marketplace (i.e.

You want to install a plugin from source, like downloading from GitHub or a ZIP file.

This is desirable for a few different reasons: This guide steps you through the process of adding plugins to your project as a Project Plugin rather than having them installed in the Unreal Engine folder.

Ue4 add plugin to project