How to use 'Datasmith' (OR: is it even a thing anymore?)

Development Pipeline & Plugins
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1

I have tried forever to try, or use, or find out ANYTHING about this ‘Datasmith’ it simply does not work!
I can export *.uDatasmith from 3dsmax. But: Unreal can not see it or know what it is at all.

I do the only available, (seriously out-of-date) tutorial, they say: Go to the plugins panel and Check to allow ‘the 7 datasmith plugins’ - I see only one called: ‘Datasmith Content’ (in both 4.19 and 4.20) , BUT it is already enabled (in both 4.19 and 4.20) It says there will be a big Datasmith button to ‘import’ (like File/Import is not good enough??)

BUT THERE IS NO ‘DATASMITH’ BUTTON ANYWHERE ON MY UNREAL!! (4.19 or 4.20)

SO WHAT GIVES?

This is how it goes with every single thing I have tried in unreal. It doesn’t work, tutorials are useless and out of date, I get no answer at the forum… This lackluster lack of caring or quality,. can only continue so long before Lumberyard takes over (or Unity gets Blueprints, … That would KILL Unreal…)

2

Hello.

The first thing I need to ask is; are you using a Windows PC? Because Datasmith is not supported on Mac.

Second, on the Epic Games Launcher, go to the Library tab, and under the 4.20 engine slot, click “Installed Plugins”. Confirm that Unreal Datasmith is already installed.

If it is not installed, then scroll down the Launcher page until you see the Unreal Datasmith plugin listed, and install it to the engine.

When Datasmith is installed, inside of the Editor plugin options under Unreal Studio, you should see more than just the one “Datasmith Content” option.

More details are available here: Downloading Unreal Engine Source Code | Unreal Engine Documentation

3

What if our library tab only has “shop games and mods”?
The tutorial referenced in the answer shows a “unreal datasmith” already in library. Mine isn’t in the library and when I search for it it doesn’t come up.
The only time I can see it is in the demo’s that tell me what I’m looking for.

4

There has been a very recent change to the Epic Games Launcher that added a new “Library” page which is unrelated to the Unreal Engine.

You need to first click on the ‘Unreal Engine’ tab, and then along the top row you will see a second ‘Library’ tab. This is the correct one for you.

5

I can’t find it there either. Clicking Installed plug in’s says I have no plug in’s installed.

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6

It looks like you have not joined the Unreal Studio free Beta: Datasmith - Unreal Engine

After you join, the option to install Datasmith will be added to the Launcher

7

Thank You!

8

Hello! I had the same problem and added to your comment below. I found out that I had not signed up for Unreal Studio Beta. As soon as I signed up on the website

Datasmith showed up in the Library.

9

I’m actually having this problem with a project on 4.24. I inherited it from somewhere else and there is no Datasmith button. However, If I start a new 4.24 project the Datasmith button is there… I tried upgrading the project to 4.25 but the result was the same.

Any ideas?

10

Things have changed since the original post made in 2018.

Since UE 4.24, Datasmith is now automatically included in the Unreal Engine, however it is only enabled by default in certain specific project templates. If you have a project where it’s not enabled, then you just need to go into the Edit menu > Plugins > Import. Among these options are a number of the Datasmith components. Enable what you need and restart the Editor.