Connecting subgraphs in material editor trough variables?

Development Rendering
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1

When I am working on more complex materials, I often find that I use the results of some calculations (for example uv coordinates with some calculated offset) in different parts of the material.
Now I have to drag a connection from this subgraph to all the places where I use it, and this gets messy. I was wondering if it is not possible to do this differently, namely by storing the calculated value in some ‘variable node’ and then using a similar ‘variable node’ (with the same variable name) someplace else in the graph to read out the calculated value.

So basically the funcionality would be exactly the same as when I would connect it normally, but now there don’t have to be ‘visual’ connection between the two, and I can divide my material into subgraphs. I think that could really improve how ‘readable’ complex materials are.

I looked for this feature but couldn’t find a node (or something else) that would do this. Is this possible? and if not, can I make a feature request for it?

2

Look into Material Functions. You can create functions for your commonly used calculations and then use those functions anywhere in any material.

3

Thanks for your reply, that is very usefull to know. But what I can tell, material function are about reusing functionality/calculations, which is very useful. But what I’m talking about is reusing results from calculations elsewhere in the material graph, without having these connector-lines all over the place. So I don’t think that is the same thing!

4

I see. Yeah, it’s not exactly the same thing but you’ll get the function as a single node which will give you the result as an output pin so it will still be less messy. However, if you still want to make a feature request feel free to open a new thread here:

https://forums.unrealengine.com/forumdisplay.php?24-Feedback-for-Epic