Runtime Image & GIF Loader

Load GIFs and images into Unreal at runtime without any hitches!

Runtime Image Loader allows to load GIFs and Images (PNG, JPEG, BMP, TGA, OpenEXR, TIFF, QOI) into Unreal Engine at runtime without any hitches. It leverages an asynchronous rendering API so that loading even high-resolution textures will not impact the game and render thread frame times. The same approach is implemented for cubemaps and GIFs.

Developer's update: This plugin has been updated to support runtime GIF Loading. It can also be used now on Mac and Linux. Enjoy!

Technical Details

Features:

• Supports loading of up to 8k resolution images in hitch-less manner
• Supports GIFs loading at runtime (.gif and .webp formats)
• Can load an image over HTTP or from local file storage
• Can load an image from Byte array (TArray<uint8>)
• Can load an image as Pixel array (TArray<FColor>)
• Allows to import HDR images aka Cubemaps (Windows only)
• Can transform an image during loading
• Can cancel all ongoing image loading requests (Windows only)
• Supports PNG, JPEG, BMP, TGA, OpenEXR, TIFF and QOI
• Supports 8, 16, 32 bit per channel (or up to 128 bit pixel depth images)
• Can generate UI ready texture format (RGBA8 or 'float' RGBA)
• Allows to set texture filtering mode
• Blueprint friendly
• Only lightweight external dependencies and some single-header libraries

Tested on:

• RHIs: DirectX 11/12, Vulkan, Metal
• Unreal Engine versions: 4.27 and 5.1+
• Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android (experimental)

Additional notes:

• Only last three minor engine versions are updated (as per UE Markplace restrictions!)

Code Modules:

•  RuntimeImageLoader (Runtime)

Number of Blueprints: 0

Number of C++ Classes: >30

Supported Development Platforms: Win32, Win64, Android, Linux, MacOS

Supported Target Build Platforms: Win32, Win64, Android, Linux, MacOS