You need a bunch of tools installed on your machine to be able to build and compile Unreal Engine projects.
The easiest way to get the required components is to install Visual Studio.
The convenient way to get the components required for C++ Unreal development in Rider without Visual Studio is by downloading the Microsoft Build Tools launcher (you will not get Visual Studio, but the required components only).
You can download the Build Tools Manager via this link.
You also should have installed .NET SDK 5.0 for Unreal Engine 5. There you can download it. Probably you already have it installed.
.NET 3.1 is bundled with UE5. For UE<5.0 you should install it manually. You can download it from the same page.
There on the screenshot, you can see the minimal components you need to install from Build Tools Manager.
Note:
At the moment, Rider leverages MSVC to build the Unreal Engine projects on Windows because Unreal Engine itself heavily depends on MSVC. This is unlikely to change in the short term, but we are aware of this issue and we are working on it.
Should you have any other questions, please let me know. Have a great day!
Dmitry Kazantsev Am I correct in my understanding that you can satisfy Rider's need for working with UE projects by installing Visual Studio Community rather than merely the Build Tools? And by doing so you are not required to purchase a visual studio license?
I am not sure I understand the question properly. Visual Studio community has its own license terms and limitations. There are different terms for individual users and for organization employees. If you meet appropriate terms, you can use VS Community.
To compile Unreal Engine projects, you need C++ build tools (specific components I mentioned above) that are distributed with Visual Studio or VS Build Tools installers.
Dmitry Kazantsev I was hoping that the license terms were different depending upon how the build tools are installed, such that by installing VS Community (rather than just the build tools on their own) would allow us to avoid purchasing a VS license when using them with Rider. It sounds like that's not the case.
Hello Bell,
Should you have any other questions, please let me know. Have a great day!
I've checked the license terms that are shown for the Build Tools for Visual Studio 2022:
This looks like I would still need a proper Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise license to use Rider for Unreal.
Is this correct?
You are right, you need a proper Visual Studio license according to your need.
Does this change the situation?
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/updates-to-visual-studio-build-tools-license-for-c-and-cpp-open-source-projects/
Thank you for your question. No, it doesn't change the situation, regrettably.
Have a nice day!
Hello,
is there any update on using Rider/UE without the need for a VS license?
Thank you for your question.
No, we have no updates to share regarding this.
Have a nice day!
Dmitry Kazantsev Am I correct in my understanding that you can satisfy Rider's need for working with UE projects by installing Visual Studio Community rather than merely the Build Tools? And by doing so you are not required to purchase a visual studio license?
Thanks :)
Hello Nate,
I am not sure I understand the question properly. Visual Studio community has its own license terms and limitations. There are different terms for individual users and for organization employees. If you meet appropriate terms, you can use VS Community.
To compile Unreal Engine projects, you need C++ build tools (specific components I mentioned above) that are distributed with Visual Studio or VS Build Tools installers.
Have a nice day!
Dmitry Kazantsev I was hoping that the license terms were different depending upon how the build tools are installed, such that by installing VS Community (rather than just the build tools on their own) would allow us to avoid purchasing a VS license when using them with Rider. It sounds like that's not the case.
Hello Nate,
Proper VS license is still required.
Have a nice day!