Seeking clarification on Auto Setup update procedure

Pipeline Unreal Engine
1

Recently I updated the Auto Setup installation for a couple of my projects from v.1.37 to v.1.41. I’ve updated Auto Setup a few times before, however, this time Unreal Engine crashes when I attempt to reimport characters after the update (because their texture or materials are just chequered grey tones).

I have followed the guide at this page: https://www.reallusion.com/auto-setup/unreal-engine/download.html

I’m quoting it here for reference:

Update Guide for Existing Users

Disclaimer:

  1. To improve visuals in UE4 & UE5, the digital human shader comes with the CC & iC Auto Setup and will be assigned automatically. When making updates to this shader, make sure to do so according to the Update Guide strictly and carefully; otherwise, your UE project may become corrupted.
  2. Updates to or removal of the Character Creator & iClone Auto Setup will reset the materials on all characters & props. Please reconfigure your material settings after update.

Please read the instructions carefully before updating the Character Creator & iClone Auto Setup.

  1. Open the UE program.
  2. Delete every CC Characters which has “CC_Auto_Setup_Material_Instances” folder created by Character Creator & iClone Auto Setup.
  3. Delete the “CC_Shaders” folder under Project > Content.
  4. Close the UE program.
  5. Delete all “Auto Setup” folders under Project > Plugins.
  6. Follow the Installation Guide to continue the installation.

However, I have not been quite sure if I have understood the instructions correctly. When I have followed the guide the way I understand it, after the update of Auto Setup, many (or perhaps all) Reallusion characters have their textures or materials not showing, only a checkered texture of grey tones. Looking at the guide (disclaimer) I now think this means that materials are reset (and not that the project has become corrupted).

I think I have solved this earlier by reimporting the characters (over Live Link or fbx import). This time however when I attempted to reimport characters after the update to v.1.41, Unreal Engine crashes.

I have some questions to the update guide, I hope someone can help clarify so that I know if I’m doing the procedure correctly. (I’m not that experienced with material settings etc.):

When making updates to this shader, make sure to do so according to the Update Guide strictly and carefully; otherwise, your UE project may become corrupted.

Is the fact that characters get chequered grey tone textures or materials an indication that the project has become corrupted? Or it just means that materials are reset?

Updates to or removal of the Character Creator & iClone Auto Setup will reset the materials on all characters & props. Please reconfigure your material settings after update.

I’m assuming this talks about the chequered grey tone textures or materials on characters? How do I reconfigure my material settings after the update (although an UE issue)? Is there a quick way to do this?

  1. Delete every CC Characters which has “CC_Auto_Setup_Material_Instances” folder created by Character Creator & iClone Auto Setup.

In the projects I have been updating Auto Setup for, none of the characters have had such a folder (for what I’m aware of), which means I have not deleted any character prior to updating.
Btw. “delete”, does that mean to delete all files for that character from the project, or just delete the character from the level?

The rest of the guide I follow without problems.

So, in conclusion, my main questions and issues are:

  • Whether I understand the guide and doing the update procedure correctly?
  • Is there a recommended way to reconfigure material settings after update?
  • For the latest update, to v. 1.41, when I try to reimport characters via Live Link in order to fix the materials, Unreal crashes. I’m using version control so I’m able to go back. However, I will need to manually reinstall v.1.37 again, and I can’t find the installation files on the Auto Setup download page any longer.

Hope anybody can help clarify. Thanks.

2

I noticed that you mentioned using version control.

I recommend first closing Unreal Engine, then deleting the old Auto Setup from your UE Project folder, and reinstalling the new version of Auto Setup.

This should resolve the issue where the character appears without textures.

3

did you ever get an answer about this? btw, the checkered pattern on your models is generally an indication that there is an issue with the materials assigned to it. it could mean for example that no materials are assigned, or that the material that is assigned is having its own issue. that may sound unhelpful i guess, but it just means one needs to start investigating how the materials are linked in the model and then possibly what the issue is with the linked material. More specific to your question though, i too am seeking clarification on how Auto Set up files/folders need to be update in a project that is already in flight.

4

Something I learned the hard way a couple of years ago, was have a designated Import Unreal project, ideally labeled with whatever versions you’re using, and then migrate those characters and/or animations to your working project afterwards. It preserves your materials that way. That’s harder if you’re using Live Link, but you can establish that in the official project afterwards. If you do any tweaks to materials (as I always do) you also preserve those as well and don’t have to redo them again other projects.

The biggest downside I’ve noticed is I end up with extra projects and filling more drive space, but a bonus is versioning. For a while, I really disliked CC4 to Unreal 5.2 (I think) results and could easily go back to my imports for 5.1. Eventually results got better and then I updated, but I think you see the point.

It’s less intuitive and adds extra steps, but after I broke my characters in a way I had no idea how to fix at the time, I started adding these steps and haven’t broken a character since.

It’s a thought, anyway.
:slight_smile: