A mirror that changes...

[spire8989]

I don't know whether this belongs here or in the unrealscript section, but I'll guess here.

I want to make a mirror that is normally just that, a mirror. I'm deciding between using a camera to capture and renderto a texture, or using SceneCaptureReflectActor or something.

Anyway, the problem is that sometimes I don't want it to act as a mirror. I'm making a lovecraftian style game that tries to bombard you with paranoia. Sometimes when the player isn't looking directly at mirrors, I want the reflection of the player to do things different from what they're doing, have their eyes glow red, have them stare at the player through the mirror, etc. but when you look at the mirror it's normal.

The coding for the other stuff is something I'll figure out, but making a mirror that is sometimes a mirror and sometimes custom is something I'm just not sure how to do.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[darthviper107]

Well you can't change what's in the reflection, what you'd have to do is use a rendertotexture and have it replicate your level area with the modified look for the character and then use it instead of reflecting what's actually in the level. You could then animate what the material looks like with a materialinstanceconstant which will allow you to modify parameters of your material.

[spire8989]

That could probably work.

What if I set up a second area for these mirrors that look exactly the same, but have the player model looking creepily toward the camera. Could I use a normal rendertotexture as a reflection and then swap it for a rendertotexture from the second area, wait a couple seconds, and swap back?

[darthviper107]

Yeah, that's what I was saying. People have used the technique for things like holograms.

[spire8989]

Yeah, I was just repeating what you said to make sure I understood it properly. Had to phrase it that way so I didn't sound completely dumb when that wasn't what you meant xD.

I'll try this out when I get a chance, thanks

[spire8989]

Nevermind, all the problems I posted here have been fixed.