This guide covers the usage of the ViewModel system in Unreal, which allows binding and synchronizing data between Unreal gameplay logic and Rive animations using a runtime ViewModelInstance.

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1. Load the ViewModel

Obtain a ViewModel from a .riv file:

URiveViewModel* ViewModel = RiveFile->GetViewModelByName(TEXT("PlayerData"));

You can also get ViewModels by index or enumerate all ViewModel names using GetInstanceNames().

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2. Create a ViewModel Instance

Create an instance of the ViewModel to hold runtime property values:

URiveViewModelInstance* Instance = ViewModel->CreateInstance();

You can also create a default predefined instance:

URiveViewModelInstance* Default = ViewModel->CreateDefaultInstance();

Or create a specific one by name:

URiveViewModelInstance* Instance = ViewModel->CreateInstanceFromName(TEXT("MyInstance"));

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3. Bind the Instance to an Artboard

Bind the ViewModel instance to a URiveArtboard to establish data context:

Artboard->SetViewModelInstance(Instance);

This propagates the instance to both the artboard and its FRiveStateMachine , ensuring synchronized behavior. Likewise, setting the ViewModel instance on a state machine sets it on the state machine’s artboard.

These operations can also be performed using Blueprints:

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4. Access or Modify Properties via the ViewModel Instance

URiveViewModelInstance exposes strongly-typed accessors:

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✅ Boolean

Instance->SetBooleanPropertyValue("IsAlive", true);
bool bIsAlive = Instance->GetBooleanPropertyValue("IsAlive");

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🔢 Number

Instance->SetNumberPropertyValue("Health", 95.0f);
float CurrentHealth = Instance->GetNumberPropertyValue("Health");

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📝 String

Instance->SetStringPropertyValue("Username", TEXT("PlayerOne"));
FString Name = Instance->GetStringPropertyValue("Username");

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🎨 Color

Instance->SetColorPropertyValue("Background", FColor::Cyan);
FColor Color = Instance->GetColorPropertyValue("Background");

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🧩 Enum

Instance->SetEnumPropertyValue("Team", TEXT("Blue"));
FString SelectedTeam = Instance->GetEnumPropertyValue("Team");
TArray<FString> ValidValues = Instance->GetEnumPropertyValues("Team");

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🚀 Trigger

Instance->FireTriggerProperty("OnDamage");

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📦 Nested ViewModels

URiveViewModelInstance* WeaponInstance = Instance->GetNestedInstanceByName("Weapon");

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5. 🧪 Using Accessors on Property Objects

Each URiveViewModelInstanceValue subclass exposes GetValue() and SetValue() (or equivalents), enabling direct manipulation. This is especially useful if you want to cache a property for later use.

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✅ Boolean

URiveViewModelInstanceBoolean* BoolProp = Instance->GetBooleanProperty("IsReady");

if (BoolProp)
{
    BoolProp->SetValue(true);
    bool bValue = BoolProp->GetValue();
}

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🔢 Number

URiveViewModelInstanceNumber* HealthProp = Instance->GetNumberProperty("Health");

if (HealthProp)
{
    float Old = HealthProp->GetValue();
    HealthProp->SetValue(Old - 10.f);
}

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📝 String

URiveViewModelInstanceString* NameProp = Instance->GetStringProperty("DisplayName");

if (NameProp)
{
    NameProp->SetValue(TEXT("RiveBot"));
    FString Value = NameProp->GetValue();
}

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🎨 Color

URiveViewModelInstanceColor* ColorProp = Instance->GetColorProperty("PrimaryColor");

if (ColorProp)
{
    ColorProp->SetColor(FColor::Green);
    FColor Current = ColorProp->GetColor();
}

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🧩 Enum

URiveViewModelInstanceEnum* RankProp = Instance->GetEnumProperty("Rank");

if (RankProp)
{
    TArray<FString> Options = RankProp->GetValues();
    RankProp->SetValue(TEXT("Gold"));
    FString Selected = RankProp->GetValue();
}

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🚀 Trigger

URiveViewModelInstanceTrigger* JumpProp = Instance->GetTriggerProperty("Jump");

if (JumpProp)
{
    JumpProp->Trigger(); // Fires the trigger
}

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5. Respond to Property Changes

Each property value subclass (e.g. URiveViewModelInstanceString) supports change detection.

URiveViewModelInstanceString* NameProp = Instance->GetStringProperty("Username");

FOnValueChangedDelegate OnChanged;
OnChanged.BindLambda([] {
    UE_LOG(LogTemp, Log, TEXT("Username updated!"));
});

NameProp->BindToValueChange(OnChanged);

Unbind when needed:

NameProp->UnbindFromValueChange(OnChanged);

Or clear all bindings:

NameProp->UnbindAllFromValueChange();

These methods are also exposed to Blueprints, allowing UI widgets to react to value changes seamlessly.

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