Set up data integration

Being able to fetch data or make it available for others in the network is essential for realtime productions. With Pixotope there are multiple ways this can be done. Here we will look at the recommended way.

Where to store data

For data to be accessible throughout the whole Pixotope network, we recommend using the Pixotope Store. The Store is a service which runs on the Server machine and allows to read and write data on it. This data is stored per Show.

For an overview of the current data in Store you can use this link on any machine with Pixotope running:
http://localhost:16208/gateway/0.0.0/publish?Type=Get&Target=Store&Name=State

Learn more about the Pixotope Store

Reading data

Read from Store

Reading data can be done in multiple ways.

• On Tick - recommended

• On Update

On Tick

This method subscribes to a specific field on Store and then on every tick applies the latest value of that field seen by the engine.

1. Add a Subscribe node (Pixotope > Data Hub > Remote Values) to Event BeginPlay

2. In the Name box enter the path to the value of interest

   1. If Narrow is checked the Engine only listens to changes of that specific property

      • State.ThirdParty.Examples > Listens only to changes of

        • Examples

   2. If Narrow is unchecked the Engine listens to changes of that specific property and all its parents

      • State.ThirdParty.Examples > Listens to changes of

        • State

        • State.ThirdParty

        • State.ThirdParty.Examples

3. Add a Try Read Last Remote Value node (Pixotope > Data Hub > Remote Values) and a Get JSON Float to extract the specific value

4. Add a check of this value on every EventTick or really any functionality you like

On Update

On Update

This method subscribes to a specific value on Store and then waits to be notified for updates.

It might be considered more efficient in certain situation, but requires additional attention, if we want our logic to react to both the changes done to the value of interests and to its parents.

1. Add a Get Data Hub Delegates Blueprints node (Pixotope > Data Hub > Delegates) and from it drag out Bind Event to On Data Hub Received attaching it to Event BeginPlay, then drag out Unbind Event to On Data Hub Received and attach it to Event EndPlay.

2. Add subscribe as in the On Tick example.

3. Drag out from the Event pin in the bind node and Add Custom Event, give it a name and attach to the unbind node as well.

4. This event node will be triggered whenever any (not only the one you subscribed to) value change is observed by the engine. Here you can add your logic that checks if you are interested in received values and make use of them.

Read from local state

Read from local state

This example shows how to read from the Engine state. A value on the local engine under State.ThirdParty.Examples.ViaEngine is read on tick and used to control the height of an actor.

Learn more about the Engine API - State

Setting data

Set on Store

This method sends a Set call to change a value on Store.

1. Add Send Set node

   1. Set Target to "Store"

   2. Set Name to for example State.ThirdParty.Example.MyParameter

   3. Connect the Value to be sent

2. Configure how/when this should be executed

In this example a random value is set on the Store on every tick.

Set on local state

Read from local state

To write to the local state, use the Set Local Value node and specify Name and Value as above.

Check Send Update if you want subscribers to receive updates if the value changed.

Learn more about the Engine API - State

Pixotope blueprint nodes related to data handling

Read and write values using HTTP requests

Reading values using HTTP requests can be done using Pixotope Gateway.

Learn more about How to use Pixotope Gateway

Pixotope Gateway is not available when using Encryption