rdSplatTools Tutorial 2.3 – Path Following

Last Updated: 5th October 2026
Tutorial created with rdSplatTools version 1.00

---

rdSplatTools gives you the ability to draw lines on the landscape which your NPCs and/or objects can follow. There is a function in the rdSplatTools subsystem that returns a position along the contour of the gradient in the rdSplatMap along from the current position and direction.

These are not perfectly smooth – contours can be quite variable. You could smooth it out over frames if need be.

This tutorial draws a simple closed shape and builds a BP Actor that follows the contours of the shape.

---

Step 1. Create a new level

Either create a new Basic level or load an existing level. Set the Game Mode to Default GameBase so it’s a simple fly-around camera with no mesh.

---

Step 2. Create a BP based on Actor

Now create a new Blueprint based on Actor. Add a Cube and an Arrow. Turn off “Hidden in Game” on the arrow so it shows while playing.

Add two Float variables, “speed” and “ContourValue”. Set “speed” to 200.

In the BeginPlay Event, add this code:

Create a Function called “MoveFollowLine”:

In the Tick Event, add this code to call that function:

---

Step 3. Place some of the Actors in the level

Add some of the new BPs to the level, spaced out in a line, make them all point in the direction of the line you’re about to draw.

---

Step 4. Paint a closed line, directly over the placed actors

Now go to the rdSplatTools Paint mode and paint a closed line over the actors. Make it quite small, a strength of 1.0 and a fall-off of 0.0.

---

Step 5. Rebuild the FallOff

Now build the fall-off – use 32.0 as the fall-off amount and click Rebuild.

---

Step 6. Done – Play

Done, that’s it – now watch them follow the contours of the path.

---