Create distribution packages for assets

It is a common practice in CARLA to manage assets with standalone packages. Keeping them aside allows to reduce the size of the build. These asset packages can be easily imported into a CARLA package anytime. They also become really useful to easily distribute assets in an organized way.

• Export a package from the UE4 Editor
• Export a package using Docker
• Import assets into a CARLA package

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Export a package in a CARLA build from source

Once assets are imported into Unreal, users can generate a standalone package for them. This will be used to distribute the content to CARLA packages such as 0.9.8.

To export packages, simply run the command below.

make package ARGS="--packages=Package1,Package2"

This will create a standalone package compressed in a .tar.gz file for each of the packages listed. The files will be saved in Dist folder on Linux, and /Build/UE4Carla/ on Windows.

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Export a package using Docker

Unreal Engine and CARLA can be built in a Docker image which can then be used to create a package or export assets for use in a package.

To create the Docker image, follow the tutorial here.

When you have the image ready:

1. Navigate to Util/Docker.
2. Create a CARLA package or prepare assets for use in a package by running one of the following commands:

# To create a standalone package
./docker_tools.py --output /output/path

#To cook assets to be consumed in a CARLA package
./docker_tools.py --input /assets/to/import/path --output /output/path --packages PkgeName1,PkgeName2

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Import assets into a CARLA package

A standalone package is contained in a .tar.gz file. The way this is extracted depends on the platform.

• On Windows extract the compressed file in the main root CARLA folder.
• On Linux move the compressed file to the Import folder and run the following script.

cd Import
./ImportAssets.sh

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That sumps up how to create and use standalone packages in CARLA. If there is any unexpected issue, feel free to post in the forum.