What is Runtime FBX Import?
Runtime FBX Import is a plugin for Unreal Engine that lets players or users load any .fbx file from disk while your game or app is running. No editor required. The plugin reads the FBX scene, builds Procedural Mesh Components for every node, auto-imports textures, sets up materials, handles skeletal mesh skinning, imports animations, and spawns a Blueprint-ready FBX Mesh Actor in your level — all without blocking the game thread.
Supported platforms: Win64, Mac. Compatible with UE 4.27 and UE 5.x.
Key Features
Fully Asynchronous
Import runs on a background thread. Your game stays responsive. Show a progress bar using the built-in progress events.
Skeletal Mesh Import
Meshes with bones are automatically detected and built as a Procedural Skeletal Mesh Component with full skinning support.
Animation Import
Import a separate FBX animation file onto any imported character. Play, pause, stop, and scrub with Blueprint nodes.
Auto Texture Discovery
Diffuse, Normal, Specular, Opacity, Emissive and more are auto-located from the FBX directory and applied to generated materials.
Custom Collisions
UCX-prefixed collision meshes inside the FBX are detected and applied as convex collision at runtime.
Runtime Material Library
Assign a Material Library data asset so users can switch materials and textures from a picker UI at runtime.
Save & Load
Save all imported actors to a slot and restore them in a later session — no re-import needed.
Pivot Gizmos
Built-in translate/rotate/scale gizmos let users reposition imported objects in your scene.
Typical Use Cases
- User-Generated Content — players import their own 3D models into your game
- Product Configurators — load external CAD/product models on demand
- In-Game Level Editors — import and place props during a live session
- Character Viewers — load characters with skeletons and animations at runtime
How the Plugin Is Structured
| Class | What it is |
|---|---|
AFBXImportManager / BP_FBXMeshActor | The main controller you place in your level. Drives all import operations. |
AFBXMeshActor | Spawned for each imported FBX. Contains all Procedural Mesh Components and node data. |
UProceduralSkeletalMeshComponent | Handles skinned mesh rendering and animation playback for skeletal meshes. |
URuntimeSkeletalMeshAnimationComponent | Animation controller that can drive any existing Skeletal Mesh Component in your scene. |
UMaterialImportSettings | Data asset that maps FBX material channels to your Unreal material parameters. |
UMaterialLibraryAsset | Data asset containing grouped materials and textures for runtime picker UI. |