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Performance Configuration

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desuqcafe edited this page Nov 23, 2025 · 1 revision

Performance Configuration

The VrmVMC node includes a flexible performance system that lets you balance motion capture quality with system performance.

Update Modes

The Update Mode setting controls how frequently the VrmVMC node processes incoming motion data.

Available Modes

Mode Update Rate Best For Description
Performance 30 FPS Low-spec machines, background characters Lowest CPU usage, still smooth for most use cases
Balanced 60 FPS General use, gameplay Good balance between quality and performance
Streaming 90 FPS High-quality streaming, cinematics High fidelity motion capture for professional output
Adaptive 30-90 FPS (dynamic) Variable workloads Automatically adjusts based on system load
Custom 30-120 FPS Advanced users Manually set any update rate you need

How to Configure

In the VrmVMC Node

  1. Open your Animation Blueprint
  2. Select the VrmVMC node
  3. In the Details Panel, find Update Mode
  4. Choose your desired mode from the dropdown

Choosing the Right Mode

Use Performance Mode (30 FPS) when:

  • Running on lower-spec hardware
  • You have multiple characters receiving mocap
  • Performance is more important than ultra-smooth motion
  • You're doing background characters or NPCs

Use Balanced Mode (60 FPS) when:

  • You want good quality without sacrificing performance
  • This is the recommended starting point for most projects
  • You're doing interactive gameplay with mocap characters

Use Streaming Mode (90 FPS) when:

  • You're recording for streaming or video production
  • You need the highest fidelity motion capture
  • You have high-end hardware
  • Frame rate consistency is critical

Use Adaptive Mode when:

  • Your scene complexity varies (e.g., different levels)
  • You want automatic optimization
  • You're unsure which fixed rate to use

Use Custom Mode when:

  • You have specific performance requirements
  • You want to experiment with different rates
  • You need rates between the presets (e.g., 45 FPS, 72 FPS)

Performance Tips

Optimize for Multiple Characters

If you have multiple characters receiving VMC data:

  • Use Performance Mode (30 FPS) for background characters
  • Use Balanced Mode (60 FPS) for your main character
  • Consider using lower update rates for characters farther from the camera

Monitor Performance

Keep an eye on these metrics:

  • FPS - Overall frame rate
  • Game Thread time - CPU usage
  • Animation Evaluation time - How long animations take to process

Use Unreal's stat fps and stat unit console commands to monitor performance.

When to Lower Update Rate

Lower your update rate if you notice:

  • Frame drops during motion capture
  • High CPU usage (>80% on Game Thread)
  • Stuttering or hitching
  • Multiple characters causing slowdown

When You Can Increase Update Rate

Increase your update rate if:

  • You have stable 60+ FPS with headroom
  • Game Thread time is low (<10ms)
  • You need smoother motion for recording/streaming
  • You have high-end hardware

Custom Mode Settings

When using Custom Mode, you can set any update rate between 30-120 FPS.

Common Custom Settings:

  • 45 FPS - Slight improvement over Performance without much cost
  • 72 FPS - Between Balanced and Streaming
  • 120 FPS - Maximum fidelity (very demanding!)

To set a custom rate:

  1. Set Update Mode to Custom
  2. Set Custom Update Rate to your desired FPS value

Adaptive Mode Behavior

Adaptive Mode automatically adjusts between 30-90 FPS based on:

  • Current frame rate
  • CPU load
  • Number of active VMC receivers
  • System performance headroom

The system will:

  • Increase update rate when performance is good
  • Decrease update rate when performance drops
  • Prioritize maintaining stable frame rate over motion quality

Platform-Specific Recommendations

Desktop (High-End PC)

  • Start with Streaming (90 FPS)
  • Use Custom 120 FPS for recording/cinematics

Desktop (Mid/Low-Range PC)

  • Use Balanced (60 FPS)
  • Drop to Performance (30 FPS) if needed

Testing Your Configuration

To test if your settings are optimal:

  1. Run your project with motion capture active
  2. Use console commands:
    • stat fps - Shows frame rate
    • stat unit - Shows thread times
    • stat anim - Shows animation performance
  3. Move around and check for:
    • Consistent frame rate (no drops)
    • Smooth motion (no stuttering)
    • Acceptable input latency

If you see issues, lower the update rate one step and test again.

Troubleshooting Performance

Motion Looks Choppy

  • Solution: Increase update rate (try next mode up)
  • Check that your target FPS is higher than the update rate

Game is Lagging

  • Solution: Decrease update rate (try next mode down)
  • Close other applications
  • Check GPU/CPU usage

Adaptive Mode Not Working Well

  • Solution: Switch to a fixed mode (Balanced or Performance)
  • Adaptive may not suit all hardware configurations

Next Steps

Tip: Start with Balanced mode and adjust from there based on your specific needs! Most projects work great at 60 FPS

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