Blueprint node types and colors: events, functions, variables, macros and flow control
Blueprint nodes are recognized by color and shape: events are red, impure functions are blue, pure functions are green with no execution pins, macros are gray with a gear icon, flow control nodes are gray (switches are yellow) and variables share one shape that changes only in color. Knowing the types lets you read any graph.
From the course
Taken from the hands-on project of the course; the lessons show every step on video.
What are event nodes?
Examples are Event Begin Play, Event Tick, Event End Play and Event Begin Overlap. They are red at the top with an arrow icon, and you can add each only once: adding Event Begin Play again just selects the one that exists.
What are function nodes, and what is the difference between pure and impure?
Function nodes have an f icon. Blue ones are impure functions, which can change their state and have execution pins, so you trigger them freely. Green ones are pure functions, such as Append: they do not modify class state or members, have no execution pins and run only when another node needs their output.
What are variable nodes?
A variable can be a Float (decimal number), a Boolean (false or true) or a Name, among others. Dragging it into the graph gives you a Get, to read its value, or a Set, to write a value, which has execution pins. Faster: hold Ctrl while dragging for a Get, or Alt for a Set. All variable nodes share the same shape and differ only in color.
What are macro nodes?
You create a macro in the My Blueprint panel. It opens its own tab where you build separate logic, then you insert it into the Event Graph. Macro nodes are gray with a gear icon.
What are flow control nodes?
Branch, Do Once, Flip Flop and others manage the execution flow. Do Once runs once and Flip Flop alternates between pins A and B. They are usually gray with their own icons, and switch nodes are yellow.
What other nodes will I meet?
Create Widget builds a user interface element on screen, math nodes cover addition, subtraction, division and comparisons, and the Construction Script has a purple start node.
Free PDFs that go with this page
One-page guides made from the lessons, sent by e-mail.
- Blueprint Cheat Sheet — A free one-page PDF for Unreal Engine 4/5, made from the lessons of the course. Keep it next to your editor while you learn.
- Free PDFs
Frequently asked questions
What color is an event node?
Red, with an arrow icon.
What is the difference between green and blue function nodes?
Green nodes are pure: no execution pins and no state change. Blue nodes are impure and have execution pins.
How do I create a Get or Set quickly?
Ctrl-drag the variable for a Get and Alt-drag for a Set.