Game Creator 2 Integration

This page documents the Character Creator integration nodes for Game Creator 2.

It explains:

• What each Instruction, Condition, and Property does.

• What each field means.

• Where to get the field values in Unity.

• Why and when to use each node.

Requirements

• Game Creator 2 installed.

• Character Creator runtime components on your character prefab or scene object:

  • EquipmentManager

  • CharacterPresetManager

  • CharacterCreatorDemoUI (only if you use Demo UI binding/rebuild nodes)

• Define symbol GAME_CREATOR_2_PRESENT enabled.

Using Instantiated Character Prefabs

This is the recommended runtime flow when the character does not exist in scene at design time and is spawned from a prefab.

Core rule

Always use the spawned instance as Character Root, never the prefab asset reference.

The prefab asset is only a template. Character Creator nodes must target the runtime instance that was instantiated by GC2.

1. Prepare the character prefab

On the prefab root, add and configure:

• EquipmentManager

• CharacterPresetManager

• BlendshapeSynchronizer (recommended)

• BodyPartLengthAdjuster (optional, only if you want body length sliders)

Also ensure:

• CharacterPresetManager.bodyRenderer is assigned.

• EquipmentManager.equipmentPrefabs contains all equipable entries you need at runtime.

• If you use material color saving/loading, CharacterPresetManager tracking/slots are configured.

2. Spawn and store the runtime instance in GC2

In your GC2 instruction list:

1. Spawn/instantiate the character prefab.

2. Store the spawned GameObject into a variable (for example CurrentCharacterInstance).

That variable is what you pass into Character Creator nodes as Character Root.

3. Bind the Demo UI to the spawned instance

After spawn, call one bind instruction:

• CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Root + Rebuild) (recommended)

  • Demo UI: the scene UI object with CharacterCreatorDemoUI

  • Character Root: CurrentCharacterInstance

  • Rebuild UI: true

This is required because the UI is scene-side, while the character is runtime-spawned.

4. Save and load with scoped keys per spawned character

Do not use one global key for all players/NPCs.

Recommended flow:

1. Build a base key from runtime identity (player ID, network ID, save slot, character ID).

2. Optionally call CharacterPresetManager Build Scoped Preset Key.

3. Use resulting key in:

   • CharacterPresetManager Save Preset

   • CharacterPresetManager Load And Apply Preset

   • CharacterPresetManager Delete Preset

Examples:

• player_01/main_look

• coop_p2/slotA

• npc_blacksmith/work_outfit

5. Practical GC2 sequence

1. Spawn character prefab -> save output to CurrentCharacterInstance.

2. CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Root + Rebuild) with that variable.

3. Player customizes character.

4. Save using per-character key.

5. On load: spawn same prefab again -> bind again -> load/apply same key.

6. Common mistakes

• Passing the prefab asset to Character Root instead of the spawned instance.

• Calling save/load/equip before the character is spawned.

• Forgetting to rebind UI after character respawn or character swap.

• Reusing one preset key for multiple characters (causes overwrite collisions).

7. If you do not use CharacterCreatorDemoUI

You can still run full customization from GC2:

• Equip/unequip through EquipmentManager ... instructions.

• Save/load through CharacterPresetManager ... instructions.

• Branch via Character Creator conditions/properties.

In that setup, you only need references to managers on the spawned instance.

8. Crystal Save workflow for spawned prefabs (SaveablePrefab + RememberCharacterPreset)

Use this when you want full world-state save/load with Crystal Save and automatic character appearance restore.

Setup on the character prefab root

Add these components on the same prefab root:

• SaveablePrefab (Crystal Save)

• CharacterPresetManager

• RememberCharacterPreset (Character Creator CrystalSave bridge)

Recommended runtime stack on the same prefab:

• EquipmentManager

• BlendshapeSynchronizer

• optional BodyPartLengthAdjuster

Important:

• RememberCharacterPreset should be on the same object as CharacterPresetManager (it has RequireComponent for this).

• RememberCharacterPreset is compiled only when Crystal Save remember symbols are present (MEMORYPACK and ARAWN_REMEMBERME).

What gets saved and restored

RememberCharacterPreset captures and restores the full Character Creator appearance in one component:

• equipped items

• blendshapes

• body part scales

• uniform scale

• tracked material colors/floats/textures

This means you do not need per-mesh remember components for normal character appearance persistence.

Save/load lifecycle with Crystal Save

On save:

1. Crystal Save serializes the prefab instance.

2. RememberCharacterPreset.SerializeComponentData() captures current appearance from CharacterPresetManager.

On load:

1. SaveablePrefab restores/recreates the prefab instance.

2. RememberCharacterPreset.DeserializeComponentData() runs and applies the saved appearance back through CharacterPresetManager.ApplyPreset(...).

Respawn/restore option to check

If a prefab instance is destroyed and respawned by restore and you see missing component-state reapply, enable:

• SaveablePrefab.Apply Saved Component Data On Respawn (on the prefab root)

This helps Crystal Save force component data reapplication for respawned prefabs.

GC2 usage after Crystal Save load

After load, bind the UI to the restored runtime instance:

• CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Root + Rebuild)

Do not bind to prefab assets. Bind to the loaded/spawned instance object.

Also avoid double-spawn flows:

• if Crystal Save restores the prefab instance, do not also spawn a second copy from your own GC2 startup flow unless intentionally needed.

Named presets vs Crystal Save snapshot

RememberCharacterPreset works even if the player never created a named preset in your preset list UI.

It stores a direct appearance snapshot as component data inside the save game. Named preset files/keys are still optional and can be used in parallel for character slots, loadouts, or user-facing preset galleries.

Where The Nodes Come From

Source files:

• Assets/Arawn/CrystalCharacterCreator/Integrations/GameCreator2/Instructions/InstructionEquipmentManagerMethods.cs

• Assets/Arawn/CrystalCharacterCreator/Integrations/GameCreator2/Instructions/InstructionCharacterPresetManagerMethods.cs

• Assets/Arawn/CrystalCharacterCreator/Integrations/GameCreator2/Instructions/InstructionCharacterCreatorDemoUIMethods.cs

• Assets/Arawn/CrystalCharacterCreator/Integrations/GameCreator2/Conditions/ConditionCharacterCreatorQueries.cs

• Assets/Arawn/CrystalCharacterCreator/Integrations/GameCreator2/Properties/PropertyCharacterCreatorQueries.cs

Field Source Guide

Use this guide whenever a node asks for references.

Field	What it is	Where to get it	Why it matters
Equipment Manager	GameObject with EquipmentManager	Character root in scene or prefab instance	Needed for equip/unequip and equipment queries
Preset Manager	GameObject with CharacterPresetManager	Same character root (usually)	Needed for save/load/apply preset flow
Demo UI	GameObject with CharacterCreatorDemoUI	Canvas or UI root created by Scene Demo Wizard	Needed to bind/rebuild character customization UI
Gallery UI	GameObject with CharacterPresetGalleryUI	Preset gallery canvas/panel object	Needed for runtime preset gallery manager binding
Equipment Prefab	Equipment prefab reference	Must be one of EquipmentManager.equipmentPrefabs[].prefab	Equip/query functions rely on registered prefab identity
Equipped Object	Runtime equipped instance GameObject	Object currently attached by EquipmentManager	Used by detach-single-item node
Slot	EquipmentSlot enum value	Match slot configured on the registered equipment entry	Determines which equipment category to affect
Character Root	Character GameObject	Spawned player/NPC root at runtime	Used by DemoUI.BindCharacter(root) nodes
Root	Parent GameObject to search in	Usually the spawned prefab instance stored in a GC2 Global Variable	Used by child-lookup properties to resolve nested objects at runtime
Child Name	Name of the child object to find	The GameObject.name in the hierarchy	Resolves specific nested objects from a runtime instance
Search Recursively	Bool flag	Enable for deep hierarchy lookup	Finds nested descendants, not only direct children
Case Sensitive	Bool flag	Enable only if you need strict name matching	Controls name comparison behavior during child lookup
Include Inactive	Bool flag	Enable if target object may be inactive	Allows finding disabled children too
Body Renderer	SkinnedMeshRenderer for body	Character mesh renderer (usually torso/body)	Used for direct component bind variant
Blendshape Synchronizer	BlendshapeSynchronizer component	Character root	Keeps equipped meshes synced with body blendshapes
Body Part Adjuster	BodyPartLengthAdjuster component	Character root (optional)	Enables body length sliders via UI bind nodes
Default Hair Object	Base hair GameObject on character	Usually the character's built-in/default hair object	Auto-shown when no Hair-slot item is equipped
Default Face Object	Base face GameObject on character	Usually the character's built-in/default face mesh/object	Auto-shown when no Face-slot item is equipped
Preset Key	String identifier	Player input, dialogue variable, quest data, save key	Unique key for saving/loading preset files
Preset Name	Display name	Player input field	Human-readable preset label
Cache Slot	Temporary in-memory key	Any string like last, npc01, slotA	Used to pass CharacterPreset objects between nodes
Preset JSON	Serialized preset text	String variable generated externally	Alternative to cache when passing full preset payload
IDs CSV	Comma separated equipment IDs	Build from saved data or variable text	Reapply specific equipped set quickly
Reset Existing	Bool flag	Constant or bool property	Controls append vs rebuild behavior in auto-config nodes
Destroy Loaded Texture / Destroy Captured Texture	Bool cleanup flag	Usually true	Prevents leaked runtime textures when loading/capturing portraits
Use Provider From GameObject	Bool strategy flag	Enable when custom provider component exists	Selects custom provider instead of default JSON provider
Provider GameObject	Object implementing ICharacterPresetProvider	Your custom save backend bridge object	Lets GC2 nodes use your own persistence system
JSON Folder Path	Persistent directory path	e.g. from config variable	Used when selecting default JsonFilePresetProvider(folder)

Instruction Nodes

All instructions are under Character Creator/... categories in GC2 Visual Scripting.

Equipment Manager Instructions

Node	Calls	Key fields	Use this when
EquipmentManager Get Equipped Items	GetEquippedItems(slot)	Equipment Manager, Slot	You need list visibility for a slot (debug/flow checks)
EquipmentManager Toggle Equip Item	ToggleEquipItem(prefab, slot)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	You want one button to equip or unequip
EquipmentManager Get Thumbnail Sprite	GetEquipmentThumbnailSprite(prefab)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab	You need icon-style preview sprite lookup
EquipmentManager Get Thumbnail Texture	GetEquipmentThumbnailTexture(prefab)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab	You need texture-level preview processing
EquipmentManager Clear Generated Thumbnails	ClearGeneratedThumbnails()	Equipment Manager	You want to release runtime thumbnail cache
EquipmentManager Get Equipped Equipment IDs	GetEquippedEquipmentIDs()	Equipment Manager	You want an ID snapshot for save/replication
EquipmentManager Set Equipped Equipment IDs	SetEquippedEquipmentIDs(ids)	Equipment Manager, IDs CSV	You want to restore equipment state from stored IDs
EquipmentManager Equip Item	EquipItem(prefab, slot)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	You want deterministic force-equip
EquipmentManager Detach Item	DetachItem(equippedObject, slot)	Equipment Manager, Equipped Object, Slot	You want to remove one known equipped instance
EquipmentManager Detach All Items	DetachAllItems(slot)	Equipment Manager, Slot	You want to clear a full slot quickly
EquipmentManager Is Equipment Equipped	IsEquipmentEquipped(prefab, slot)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	You need direct yes/no check during instruction flow
EquipmentManager Get Equipped Item	GetEquippedItem(prefab, slot)	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	You need runtime instance object from prefab+slot
EquipmentManager Is Item Equipped	IsItemEquipped(slot)	Equipment Manager, Slot	You only care whether slot is occupied
EquipmentManager Equip All Items	EquipAllItems()	Equipment Manager	You need quick setup/debug mass equip

Preset Manager Instructions

Node	Calls	Key fields	Use this when
CharacterPresetManager Set Provider	SetProvider(...)	Preset Manager, provider fields	You switch between default JSON and custom backend
CharacterPresetManager Build Scoped Preset Key	BuildScopedPresetKey(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key	You need namespace-safe key generation
CharacterPresetManager Capture Preset	CapturePreset(name)	Preset Manager, Preset Name, Cache Slot	You need runtime snapshot without saving yet
CharacterPresetManager Capture Preset (Name + Key)	CapturePreset(name, key)	Preset Manager, Preset Name, Preset Key, Cache Slot	You need explicit key-tagged snapshot
CharacterPresetManager Save Preset	SavePreset(key, name)	Preset Manager, Preset Key, Preset Name	You want to persist current appearance
CharacterPresetManager Apply Preset	ApplyPreset(preset)	Preset Manager, source mode fields	You want to apply preset from cache or JSON payload
CharacterPresetManager Load And Apply Preset	LoadAndApplyPreset(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key	You want one-step load+apply
CharacterPresetManager Get Saved Preset Keys	GetSavedPresetKeys()	Preset Manager	You need current preset list
CharacterPresetManager Load Preset	LoadPreset(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key, Cache Slot	You want object load for later apply/edit
CharacterPresetManager Delete Preset	DeletePreset(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key	You want to remove preset and portrait
CharacterPresetManager Auto Configure Explicit Color Slots	AutoConfigureExplicitColorSlots(reset)	Preset Manager, Reset Existing	You want quick auto slot setup from materials
CharacterPresetManager Auto Configure Material Tracking	AutoConfigureMaterialTracking(reset)	Preset Manager, Reset Existing	You want tracked material properties auto-built
CharacterPresetManager Load Portrait By Key	LoadPortrait(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key, destroy flag	You need portrait texture for UI preview
CharacterPresetManager Load Portrait By Preset	LoadPortrait(preset)	Preset Manager, source mode, destroy flag	You already have a preset object and need its portrait
CharacterPresetManager Capture Portrait	CapturePortrait(key)	Preset Manager, Preset Key, destroy flag	You need portrait capture independent from full save

Demo UI Instructions

Node	Calls	Key fields	Use this when
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Components)	BindCharacter(components...)	Demo UI, component references	You hot-swap characters and wire explicit components
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Root)	BindCharacter(root)	Demo UI, Character Root	You only have root object and want auto component discovery
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Root + Rebuild)	BindCharacter(root, rebuild)	Demo UI, Character Root, Rebuild UI	You need control over immediate UI refresh
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Bind Character (Components + Rebuild)	BindCharacter(components..., rebuild)	Demo UI, component references, Rebuild UI	You need full explicit runtime rebinding
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Set Default Head Meshes	sets defaultHairObject + defaultFaceObject	Demo UI, Default Hair Object, Default Face Object, Rebuild UI	You want to assign/replace base hair and face objects at runtime
CharacterCreatorDemoUI Rebuild UI	RebuildUI()	Demo UI	You changed data and need UI regeneration

Preset Gallery UI Instructions

Node	Calls	Key fields	Use this when
CharacterPresetGalleryUI Bind Preset Manager	assigns presetManager and optionally RefreshPresetList()	Gallery UI, Preset Manager, Refresh After Bind	You spawn/swap characters at runtime and need the gallery to target the current manager

Condition Nodes

All conditions support normal GC2 If / Not behavior.

Node	Logic	Fields	Why use it
CC Equipment Slot Is Equipped	IsItemEquipped(slot) == expected	Equipment Manager, Slot, Expected	Branch when a slot is empty/full
CC Equipment Prefab Is Equipped	IsEquipmentEquipped(prefab, slot) == expected	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot, Expected	Branch on specific item state
CC Preset Exists	LoadPreset(key) != null compared to expected	Preset Manager, Preset Key, Expected	Branch before load/delete
CC Has Any Saved Presets	GetSavedPresetKeys().Length > 0 compared to expected	Preset Manager, Expected	Branch for empty-state UI

Property Nodes

Use these in GC2 fields that accept dynamic Properties.

Property	Returns	Fields	Why use it
CC Slot Is Equipped	bool	Equipment Manager, Slot	Fast boolean binding for UI/logic
CC Prefab Is Equipped	bool	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	Toggle buttons by exact item state
CC Equipped Item	GameObject	Equipment Manager, Equipment Prefab, Slot	Access runtime equipped instance
CC Find Child GameObject	GameObject	Root, Child Name, search flags	Resolves a child object from a spawned prefab instance/global variable
CC Equipped IDs (CSV)	string	Equipment Manager	Store/forward equipment snapshot text
CC Preset Exists	bool	Preset Manager, Preset Key	Enable/disable load/delete actions
CC Saved Preset Count	number (double)	Preset Manager	Display count, compare threshold
CC Saved Preset Keys (CSV)	string	Preset Manager	Quick list serialization for external systems
CC Scoped Preset Key	string	Preset Manager, Preset Key	Ensure namespace-consistent storage keys

Cache And JSON Preset Source Modes

Several nodes support preset source modes:

• Cache: uses an in-memory preset object stored by Cache Slot string.

• Json: parses a full CharacterPreset JSON string.

Use Cache for local flow in the same runtime session. Use Json when your flow gets preset payload from external systems.

Recommended Node Patterns

Goal	Recommended flow
Save current look	Build Scoped Preset Key -> Save Preset
Load selected look	Preset Exists condition -> Load And Apply Preset
Runtime character swap	Bind Character (Root + Rebuild) or Bind Character (Components + Rebuild)
Restore equipment from save payload	Set Equipped Equipment IDs
Empty preset gallery handling	Has Any Saved Presets condition

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
GC2 nodes do not appear	GAME_CREATOR_2_PRESENT missing	Recompile after detector runs and verify Player define symbols
Equip/query returns false unexpectedly	Prefab not registered in EquipmentManager.equipmentPrefabs	Register prefab in manager list and match correct slot
Preset apply fails in cache mode	Wrong Cache Slot string	Use same cache slot key in capture/load/apply chain
Portrait operations allocate memory	Destroy flag disabled	Keep destroy flag enabled unless texture must persist

Notes

• Query-style Instructions currently log results. Use Conditions/Properties for branchable and bindable gameplay logic.

• Character Creator runtime is not tightly coupled to GC2 save internals. Set Provider supports custom backend bridges.