Interface DirectorGame Creator 2 Module

#Layers & Navigation

Interface Director coordinates all active interfaces using 6 dedicated logical layers, automatic UI Mode boundaries, Opening Admission rules, and Return navigation stacks.

#The 6 Logical Layers

▲ [Debug]     -> Overlays, telemetry, logs, cheats (Never blocks gameplay UI)
│ [System]    -> Loading screens, error prompts, critical system dialogs (Always blocks lower UI)
│ [Modal]     -> Confirmation dialogs, alerts, popup prompts (Always blocks lower UI)
│ [Overlay]   -> Contextual panels, item tooltips, radial wheels, sidebars
│ [Menu]      -> Inventory, pause menu, quest log, skill trees (Stack navigation; only top is active)
▼ [HUD]       -> Health bars, mini-maps, reticles, quest tracker (Concurrent gameplay displays)
ShowcaseOpen full size ↗
Layer Stacks showcase
Layer stacks ensure modals, menus, and HUDs layer correctly without manual sorting hacks.

#Global UI Mode Boundaries

When interfaces in interactive layers (Menu, Modal, System) open:

  • The Director automatically enters UI Mode.
  • It runs project-wide On Enter UI Mode instructions configured in Project Settings (e.g. unlocking cursor, disabling player character motor, pausing game time).
  • When the last interactive interface closes, the Director exits UI Mode and runs On Exit UI Mode (e.g. locking cursor, restoring player character motor, resuming time scale).

#Opening Admission Rules

Control what interfaces may open over each other on a per-asset basis under Navigation Behavior > Opening Admission:

  • Default Action: Set to Allow or Deny.
  • Exact Overrides: Specify exceptions. For example, on PauseMenu, set Default to Deny and add Settings to Allow.
  • Directional Opening: PauseMenu can open over Inventory, but Inventory cannot open over PauseMenu.

#Return Navigation

When the player triggers Back / Cancel / Escape, execute the Return Interface Instruction. The top active interface evaluates its Return Policy:

Return Policy Behavior
Close Closes the current top interface and resumes the interface underneath.
Consume Intercepts the return command, keeping the interface open (e.g. closing a sub-tab first).
Pass Through Lets the next lower interface handle the return command.
Custom Executes custom On Return visual scripting instructions defined on the View.
ShowcaseOpen full size ↗
Return Navigation showcase
Predictable Return navigation unwinds menus step-by-step back to gameplay.

#Suspension & Resumption

When a higher-priority interface opens on top of a Menu or Overlay:

  • The lower interface is transitioned to the Suspended state.
  • If Hide When Suspended is enabled, visual elements are automatically hidden to save draw calls and keep the screen clean.
  • When the upper interface closes, the lower interface automatically Resumes, triggers its Resume transition, and restores focus.