ralpha-assets/Content/Maps/Locations/README.md

Ralpha Location System

A "Disneyland-style" world with multiple themed locations that stream in/out as needed.

Quick Start

1. Create Location Levels in UE5

For each location, create a new level:

1. File > New Level > Empty Level
2. Save as:
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Beach.umap
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Church.umap
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Studio.umap
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Home.umap
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Urban.umap
   • Content/Maps/Locations/LVL_Forest.umap

2. Create the Hub World

1. File > New Level > Empty Level
2. Save as Content/Maps/RalphaWorld.umap
3. Add a simple ground plane
4. Add paths/portals to each location direction

3. Configure Level Streaming (Optional)

If you want automatic streaming when walking around RalphaWorld:

1. Open RalphaWorld
2. Window > World Settings > Enable World Partition
3. Create Level Instance actors for each location
4. Set streaming distances in the LocationConfig.json

MCP Commands

List all locations

{"type": "list_locations"}

Load a location (stream in)

{"type": "load_location", "parameters": {"location_id": "beach"}}

Teleport camera to location

{"type": "teleport_to_location", "parameters": {"location_id": "beach"}}

Set active location (load + teleport)

{"type": "set_active_location", "parameters": {"location_id": "beach"}}

Open location level directly (exits hub world)

{"type": "open_location_level", "parameters": {"location_id": "beach"}}

Get locations by domain

{"type": "get_locations_by_domain", "parameters": {"domain": "SKY"}}

Location Configurations

Location	ID	Domains	Best For
Beach Island	beach	SKY, SEA, TERRAIN, LIGHTING	Ocean scenes, sunsets
Church District	church	LIGHTING, OBJECTS, COMPOSITION	Interior lighting, architecture
Studio Backlot	studio	LIGHTING, FACES, BODIES, COMPOSITION	Portraits, controlled lighting
Residential Home	home	LIGHTING, OBJECTS, COMPOSITION	Interior scenes
Urban Downtown	urban	SKY, LIGHTING, OBJECTS, COMPOSITION	Street scenes, cityscapes
Forest Wilderness	forest	SKY, TERRAIN, FOG, LIGHTING	Nature, atmospheric shots

Hub World Layout

                    CHURCH (2500, 4330)
                         |
    STUDIO (-2500, 4330) |
              \          |          /
               \         |         /
                \        |        /
                 [  HUB CENTER  ]
                /        |        \
               /         |         \
              /          |          \
    HOME (-5000, 0)      |      BEACH (5000, 0)
                         |
                    URBAN (-2500, -4330)
                         |
                    FOREST (2500, -4330)

Each location is ~5000 units from the hub center, arranged in a hexagonal pattern.

Building Each Location

Beach Island

• Import: Ocean water body, sand landscape, palm trees
• Key props: Beach chairs, umbrellas, rocks, driftwood
• Lighting: Sun for golden hour, sky atmosphere

Church District

• Import: Gothic architecture kit
• Key props: Pews, altar, candles, stained glass
• Lighting: Dramatic light shafts through windows

Studio Backlot

• Build: Cyc wall (infinity cove), seamless backdrop
• Key props: Softboxes, C-stands, camera gear
• Lighting: 3-point setup, controllable rigs

Residential Home

• Import: Modular house kit, furniture pack
• Rooms: Living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom
• Lighting: Natural window light, practicals

Urban Downtown

• Import: Building facades, street props
• Key props: Vehicles, street lamps, signs, benches
• Lighting: Day/night variants, neon signs

Forest Wilderness

• Import: Tree packs (broadleaf, conifer), undergrowth
• Key props: Fallen logs, boulders, streams
• Lighting: Dappled light, fog atmosphere

FAB Asset Recommendations

Search these on FAB for each location:

Beach: "tropical beach", "palm tree", "ocean rocks" Church: "gothic architecture", "church interior", "stained glass" Studio: "photo studio", "lighting equipment" Home: "modern furniture", "interior props", "kitchen appliances" Urban: "city kit", "modular buildings", "street props" Forest: "broadleaf trees", "forest floor", "procedural foliage"

Tips

1. Start simple - Block out each location with basic shapes first
2. Use Level Instances - Edit once, update everywhere
3. Test streaming - Ensure smooth transitions between locations
4. Match scale - Keep consistent scale across all locations
5. Shared assets - Put common assets in Content/Assets/Shared/