Importing and auto-updating data from external text files

Hi there,

I’d like to import level data (e.g. a txt file with a tilemap) and automatically update an instance of an actor in the level editor that is responsible for receiving and converting the imported data into something that is visible in the editor (e,g, some meshes that represent that tilemap). The level could then be edited and filled with the actual gameplay elements. To be clear: I want to load and update the level in the UE4 editor and not when the game is running, obviously.

So the level file would be placed somewhere in the content folders. The actor would contain functions that read and parse the file and create the meshes etc. accordingly, everytime when the level file is changed. I could do the reading in the construction script of the actor, but how would the actor instance that is placed in the level know when the file has changed?

I have no idea where to start with that. Any basic directions and tipps (or alternative solutions) would be great.

Thanks!