====== Creating a Simple Animation Blueprint ======

An **Animation Blueprint (ABP)** is responsible for managing and processing all animation-related logic of a vehicle in SubwaySim 2.

It receives simulation data, calculates bone transformations, and forwards the final animation pose to the **Vehicle Blueprint**, which then applies it to the Skeletal Mesh.

This chapter focuses on creating a **simple Animation Blueprint**, which is sufficient for:
  * Wheel rotation
  * Bogie movement
  * Basic vehicle motion

More advanced animations such as couplings, doors, or additional vehicle systems are handled separately.

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===== Creating the Animation Blueprint =====

To create an Animation Blueprint, navigate to the folder where your **Skeletal Mesh** is located.

  * Right-click on the **Skeletal Mesh**
  * Search for **Animation Blueprint**
  * Select it from the menu

Name the Animation Blueprint following the same convention used for Control Rigs:

  * Prefix: **APB_**
  * Example: `APB_TestVehicle`

This ensures consistency and makes asset relationships easy to understand.

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===== Setting the Correct Parent Class =====

After creating the Animation Blueprint, open it.

Before adding any logic, we must set the correct parent class:

  * Click **Class Settings** (top of the editor)
  * Locate **Parent Class**
  * Set it to **Train Anim Instance**

This step is mandatory.  
Without the correct parent class, required train-specific functions and data will not be available.

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_1.png?direct&800|}}

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===== Structure of the Simple Animation Blueprint =====

The simple Animation Blueprint is divided into **two conceptual parts**:

  * **Part 1:** Core animation logic for axles and bogies (covered on this page)
  * **Part 2:** Advanced animations (covered in a separate chapter)

This page focuses **only on Part 1**, which is all that is required for basic vehicle functionality.

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===== Adding the Control Rig Node =====

Inside the Animation Blueprint graph:
  * Right-click in the graph
  * Search for **Control Rig** under *Misc*
  * Add the node

Connect:
  * The **Output Pose** of the Control Rig node
  * To the **Final Animation Pose** (Output Pose)

This ensures that all animation logic coming from the Control Rig is applied to the Skeletal Mesh.

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_2_1.png?direct&300|}}

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===== Enabling Control Rig Inputs =====

Select the **Control Rig** node.

In the **Details** panel on the right:
  * Open the **Input / Output** section
  * Enable all available input pins by checking their boxes

This exposes the variables previously created in the Control Rig:
  * BogieRotation1
  * BogieRotation2
  * DeltaWay

These inputs must now be provided with data.

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_2.png?direct&300|}}

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===== Supplying DeltaWay =====

The **DeltaWay** value represents the distance the vehicle travels along the track and is required to calculate axle rotation.

To provide this value:
  * Drag from the **DeltaWay** input pin
  * Search for **Get Delta Way**
  * Select the node
  * Connect it to the Control Rig input

This automatically supplies the required movement data.

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_3.png?direct&300|}}

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===== Supplying Bogie Transforms =====

To animate bogies correctly, we need to retrieve their transforms from the simulation.

  * Right-click in the graph
  * Search for **Get Bogie Transforms**
  * Add the node

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_4.png?direct&300|}}

This node outputs an **array of transforms**.

From the array output:
  * Drag a connection
  * Search for **Get (a ref)**
  * Select the node

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_5.png?direct&300|}}

Repeat this for each bogie the vehicle has.

For a standard two-bogie vehicle:
  * **BogieRotation1** → Index **0**
  * **BogieRotation2** → Index **1**

Connect each output to the corresponding Control Rig input.



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===== Finalizing the Simple Animation Blueprint =====

Once all connections are set up:

  * Verify that all Control Rig inputs are connected
  * Ensure the correct indices are used for bogie transforms
  * Click **Compile**
  * Click **Save**

At this point, the simple Animation Blueprint is complete and fully functional.

{{:manual:subwaysim:simple_animation_blueprints:anim_6.png?direct&800|}}

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===== About Complex Animation Blueprints =====

This Animation Blueprint covers only the **minimal required setup** for vehicle operation.

If your vehicle requires additional animated systems such as:
  * Couplings
  * Doors
  * Advanced mechanical components

please continue with the dedicated chapter: [[manual:subwaysim:vehicle_development:animation_blueprints|Creating a Complex Animation Blueprint]]

That chapter builds upon the foundation established here.

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