Skill: Create Actor

Description

Create a complete Unreal Engine Actor with C++ class and optional Blueprint child.

Arguments

• {{arg}}: The class name for the actor (e.g., APickupItem)

Steps

1. Create the header file (Source/[Project]/{{arg}}.h):

   • Include UCLASS macro with appropriate specifiers
   • Include GENERATED_BODY()
   • Declare BeginPlay() and Tick() override
   • Add root component (USceneComponent or USphereComponent)
   • Add any mesh/collision components as needed

2. Create the source file (Source/[Project]/{{arg}}.cpp):

   • Implement constructor with CreateDefaultSubobject for components
   • Set PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick = true; to enable ticking
   • Set bReplicates = true; if multiplayer is needed
   • Implement BeginPlay and Tick

3. Verify includes are correct and there are no circular dependencies

4. Build the project to verify the new class compiles

Example

// AMyPickup.h
UCLASS()
class MYPROJECT_API AMyPickup : public AActor
{
    GENERATED_BODY()
public:
    AMyPickup();
    virtual void Tick(float DeltaTime) override;
protected:
    virtual void BeginPlay() override;
private:
    UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category="Components")
    TObjectPtr<UStaticMeshComponent> MeshComponent;
};