[UE5.5][SDK V4] Implementing Custom Live Webcam Feed for Vision (Media Player → Render Target) - Frames Not Sending

Hi Convai Team,

I am implementing a custom vision pipeline using SDK V4 in Unreal Engine 5.5.

Instead of capturing the in-game 3D world, I am streaming a Live Physical Webcam Feed into the system so the NPC can see what I am holding in real life. I have successfully set up the rendering pipeline, but I am struggling to get the EnvironmentWebcam component to actually transmit the frames to the backend.

My Architecture:

  • Player BP: Holds the ConvaiPlayerComponent and EnvironmentWebcam component.

  • NPC BP (Dr. Layla): Holds the ConvaiChatbotComponent.

  • Pipeline: Real Webcam ➔ Media Player ➔ Dynamic Material ➔ Drawn to RT_convai_vision (Texture Render Target) on Event Tick.

Current Status (What Works):

  1. Rendering is perfect: I can see my live webcam feed appearing on the RT_convai_vision texture inside the Content Browser and on in-game debug planes.

  2. Logic Linking: Since the components are on different actors, I am using a BeginPlay script on the Player to find the NPC, get the ConvaiChatbotComponent, and assign it to the EnvironmentWebcam using Set Chatbot.

  3. Debug Confirmation: My logic prints a “Success” string, confirming the Cast and Set operations passed.

The Issue:
Despite the texture updating in real-time and the Chatbot being linked, the Vision System appears to be “sleeping.”

  • The Output Log shows ZERO entries for LogConvai: Sending Vision Frame…

  • The NPC responds with “Please show me the item,” indicating she is receiving no visual data.

  • I have enabled Auto start Vision

Question
Is there a specific initialization order required when using a Custom Render Target with a disembodied EnvironmentWebcam? Does the component need to be “woken up” or re-initialized after I manually assign the Chatbot Component at runtime?

Any help would be appreciated!

Hello,

Welcome to the Convai Developer Forum!

Please make sure that:

  • Auto Start Vision is enabled.
  • You are using the Gemini 2.5 Beta LLM in the Core AI Settings