> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://animotive.gitbook.io/animotive-kimodo/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://animotive.gitbook.io/animotive-kimodo/setup/first-run-setup.md). # First-Run Setup Popup The first time the editor loads after Animotive Kimodo is enabled, a small Slate window opens to collect the minimum configuration needed to send a Kimodo generation. The popup also appears automatically when you click **Generate with Kimodo** and the plugin detects that the active backend is not yet configured. You can reopen the popup at any time from **Tools → Animotive Kimodo → First-Run Setup**. ## What the popup collects The popup edits a focused subset of the [Kimodo Importer settings](/animotive-kimodo/setup/remote-backend.md). Foot bone names, basis overrides, diagnostics flags, and other advanced settings remain on the **Edit → Project Settings → Plugins → Kimodo Exporter** panel — the popup never surfaces them. | Field | Applies to | Notes | | ------------------------------ | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Backend** | Always | Dropdown — `Animotive` (hosted), `Remote Server` (self-hosted FastAPI), or `Docker (Local)`. | | **Server URL** | Remote Server | Base URL of your Kimodo FastAPI server. No trailing slash. | | **Endpoint Path** | Remote Server | Path appended to **Server URL** for each generation. Default `/api/projects/generate/async`. | | **API Key** | Animotive | Required. Pasted from the Animotive web portal. Sent verbatim as `Authorization: Bearer ` on every generation. A **Get API Key** link beside the field opens the portal in a browser. | | **Compose Dir** | Docker (Local) | Folder containing `docker-compose.yml` for `kimodo_gen`. Browse button opens a folder picker. | | **Service Name** | Docker (Local) | Service entry inside `docker-compose.yml`. Default `demo`. | | **Export Directory** | All backends | Folder where the BVH is written and watched. Docker requires a path reachable by the container; Remote / Animotive use it as the local landing folder. Browse button opens a folder picker. | | **Select MetaHuman body mesh** | Optional | Skeletal-mesh picker. When set, the picked mesh is assigned to the **non-Soma side** of the two bundled retargeters at `/KimodoExporter/Kimodo/` — target preview mesh on `RTG_SomaToMetaHuman`, source preview mesh on `RTG_MetaHumanToSoma`. No new assets are generated; the bundled retargeters ship pre-wired with a generic MetaHuman IK rig and this selection just tells them which specific MetaHuman instance to retarget against. For per-character retargeters with their own IK rig, use the standalone [Retarget Wizard](/animotive-kimodo/setup/first-character.md) instead. | | **Load demo scene** | Optional | Radio choice — `Soma` (default), `MetaHuman`, or `No`. On Save the chosen demo level opens with its Level Sequence already loaded in Sequencer, ready to generate. See [Load a demo scene](#load-a-demo-scene) below. | | **Don't show again** | Always | Default checked. Saving with the box ticked prevents the popup from auto-opening on the next editor session. | The **Save & Setup** button stays disabled while the required fields for the chosen backend are empty. Required fields are: * **Animotive** → `API Key` AND `Export Directory`. * **Remote Server** → `Server URL` AND `Export Directory`. * **Docker (Local)** → `Compose Dir` AND `Export Directory`. Other fields have working defaults and never block Save. ## When the popup appears The popup raises in two situations: * **Auto-show on first run.** The plugin sets a hidden config flag (`bShownFirstRunSetup` in `DefaultGame.ini`) once you complete the popup with **Don't show again** ticked. Until that flag is true, the popup auto-opens on each editor session after the initial layout pass. Auto-show is suppressed under `-Unattended`, `-NullRHI`, and commandlets — CI and headless builds never see it. * **Export-guard re-open.** Clicking **Generate with Kimodo** while the active backend still lacks required fields opens the popup modally. Save with a complete configuration resumes the export; Cancel produces a single monitor row with the `UnconfiguredBackend` category and the friendly text *"Animotive Kimodo backend isn't configured. Open setup via Tools → Animotive Kimodo → First-Run Setup."* ## Load a demo scene The **Load demo scene** row lets a first-time user land directly in a ready-to-generate scene instead of building one from scratch. It defaults to **Soma** so a fresh install that just presses **Save & Setup** lands in a working demo. Pick one of three options: | Option | Result | | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Soma** (default) | Opens `LV_SomaDemo` and its Level Sequence in Sequencer. Uses the bundled Soma skeletal mesh — no MetaHuman plugin required. | | **MetaHuman** | Opens `LV_MetahumanDemo` and its Level Sequence. If you also picked a **MetaHuman body mesh** above, that mesh is swapped onto the demo character's body component so you preview your own MetaHuman. | | **No** | Nothing loads. Your current level stays open. | The demo levels ship inside the plugin under `/KimodoExporter/Kimodo/Demo/`. On Save the level loads, the first Level Sequence actor's sequence opens in Sequencer, and (for MetaHuman + picked mesh) the body mesh is swapped — all in one step. **MetaHuman option unavailable.** The **MetaHuman** choice requires both the `MetaHuman` and `MetaHumanCore` plugins enabled. When either is missing the button is dimmed and its tooltip names the missing plugin(s). Clicking it raises a dialog offering to enable the plugin(s) for you (the editor restarts to apply) or, if the project file is read-only, points you at the Plugin Manager to enable them manually. The **Soma** demo has no plugin dependency and is always available. ## Cancel vs Don't-show-again | Action | Result | | --------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Cancel** (or close-X) | Nothing committed. The auto-show flag stays at its prior value. If this was a fresh install, the popup opens again next session. | | **Save & Setup** with **Don't show again** ticked | Settings updated, flag flipped to true, auto-show stops. | | **Save & Setup** with **Don't show again** unticked | Settings updated, flag left as-is. Useful when reopening the popup to edit existing settings without re-arming auto-show. | The auto-show flag is **set-only** — Saving with the box unticked never flips a true flag back to false. This makes menu-driven re-edits safe. ## Reopening from the menu After your first save, the popup remains available under **Tools → Animotive Kimodo → First-Run Setup**. Reopening pre-fills the form from current settings, so you can use it as a focused alternative to the full Project Settings panel for the fields it covers. ## See also * [Plugin Install](/animotive-kimodo/setup/plugin-install.md) — how the plugin gets installed in the first place. * [Animotive Hosted Backend](/animotive-kimodo/setup/animotive-backend.md) — API key acquisition and per-generation billing. * [Self-Hosted (HTTP) Backend](/animotive-kimodo/setup/remote-backend.md) — full details on every Remote Server setting. * [Docker (Local) Backend](/animotive-kimodo/setup/docker-local.md) — full details on every Docker setting. * [First-Time Character Setup](/animotive-kimodo/setup/first-character.md) — the standalone Retarget Wizard surface that the popup invokes when a MetaHuman mesh is picked. * [Troubleshooting](/animotive-kimodo/going-further/troubleshooting.md) — the `UnconfiguredBackend` entry.