# Tripo3D UE Bridge User Guide

> 📖 Official Tutorial: [Tripo DCC Bridge for UE](https://www.tripo3d.ai/blog/tripo-dcc-bridge-for-ue)

## 1. Choose the Correct Version

Please select the plugin package that matches your Unreal Engine version.

- For UE 5.4 projects, use the `UE5.4` version
- For UE 5.5 projects, use the `UE5.5` version
- For UE 5.6 projects, use the `UE5.6` version
- For UE 5.7 projects, use the `UE5.7` version
- For UE 5.8 projects, use the `UE5.8` version

Do not mix plugin binaries built for different Unreal Engine versions. Otherwise, the plugin may fail to load or compile. If you are not sure which package to use, choose the plugin version that exactly matches your Unreal Engine minor version.

## 2. Where to Place the Plugin

Extract the plugin folder into the `Plugins` directory of your own Unreal project.

Example directory structure:

```text
YourProject/
  Plugins/
    Tripo3DUEBridge-UE5.7-Win64/
      Tripo3DUEBridge.uplugin
      Source/
      Config/
      Content/
      ThirdParty/
      Resources/
```

If your project does not already have a `Plugins` folder, create one manually.

## 3. If You Are Using a Prebuilt Version

After placing the correct plugin version into the `Plugins` folder:

1. Open your `.uproject`
2. If Unreal asks to rebuild modules, choose `Yes`
3. Wait for Unreal or Visual Studio to finish compiling

## 4. If You Need to Build It Yourself

Please make sure the following tools are installed:

1. The matching version of Unreal Engine
2. Visual Studio 2022
3. Desktop development with C++
4. Game development with C++
5. Windows SDK

### Build Steps

The source distribution of the plugin should contain:
`Tripo3DUEBridge.uplugin`
`Config`
`Content`
`ThirdParty`
`Resources`
`Source`

1. Place the plugin in `Plugins/Tripo3d_UE_Bridge` inside your Unreal project
2. Right-click your `.uproject` and select `Generate Visual Studio project files`
3. Open the generated `.sln` in Visual Studio
4. Select `Development Editor` and `Win64`
5. Set your Unreal project as the startup project
6. Build the solution

You can also double-click the `.uproject` file and let Unreal detect the plugin and trigger compilation automatically.

## 5. Imported Asset Structure

Models imported via Tripo3D are saved under `Content/TripoModels/` in your project, with each model in its own subfolder:

```text
Content/
  TripoModels/
    Materials/
      M_Tripo_PBR_Master          <- Master PBR material (shared by all models)
    YourModelName/
      YourModelName               <- Mesh (StaticMesh / SkeletalMesh)
      YourModelName_Mat            <- Material instance (parent: M_Tripo_PBR_Master)
      Textures/
        YourModelName_basecolor    <- BaseColor texture
        YourModelName_normal       <- Normal texture
        YourModelName_roughness    <- Roughness texture
        YourModelName_metallic     <- Metallic texture
      Animations/                  <- Animation assets (if any)
```

## 6. Common Issues

### The Plugin Does Not Appear

Please check the following:

1. The plugin folder is placed under your project's `Plugins` directory
2. `Tripo3DUEBridge.uplugin` is located in the plugin root folder
3. The plugin version matches your Unreal Engine version

### The Project Fails to Compile

Please check the following:

1. Your Unreal Engine version matches the plugin package
2. Visual Studio 2022 and the C++ toolchain are installed correctly
3. The correct Windows SDK is installed
4. The plugin folder is complete, especially `Source` and `ThirdParty`
