Gizmo follow, cooker-friendly assets, and proper ground snapping

Gizmo usability:
- Refresh the gizmo every tick while simulation is running so it glues to
  animated / AI-driven / timeline-driven actors instead of freezing at the
  pose they had when selected
- Clear the pawn's active sub-element drag state on FinishPointPlacement /
  CancelPointPlacement — previously, after clicking Done on a spline, the
  gizmo jumped to the center cube but the internal ActiveSplinePointIndex
  stayed on the last clicked CP, so dragging the gizmo moved that CP
  instead of the whole actor
- Expose UpdateGizmo() publicly on the SelectionManager so the
  PlayerController Tick can drive it

Package cooking (fix gray gizmos / missing outline in packaged builds):
- Convert every runtime LoadObject<> soft-string path into a UPROPERTY
  TObjectPtr<> filled via ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder at CDO
  construction time. Hard refs are picked up by the cooker so plugin
  Content assets (M_PS_Editor_Gizmo, M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline,
  M_PS_Editor_SplineLine, and the engine basic shapes the spline actor
  uses) are reliably staged
- Touches APS_Editor_Gizmo, APS_Editor_Pawn (outline post-process
  material), APS_Editor_SplineActor (gizmo material, spline line
  material, center cube mesh, handle sphere mesh)

Ground placement (PS_Editor_GroundSnap):
- New PS_Editor_GroundSnap utility centralising placement logic for
  catalogue spawns, End-key snap-to-ground, and spline CP placement
- ProjectCameraRayToGround: aim down from a point in front of the camera
  when the camera ray misses (no more "looking at sky spawns object in
  mid-air"); classify the primary hit by normal to re-cast from below a
  ceiling / step back from a wall so the object lands on the floor
  underneath / at the foot of the surface rather than embedded in it
- SnapActorToGround: start the downward ray from INSIDE the actor's
  volume (pivot + small buffer), ignoring the actor itself — avoids the
  "raised a bit high, pressed End, teleports to upper story" bug where
  starting above the actor's bbox could cross the current room's ceiling
  and find the upper floor as the first floor-like surface
- Uses GetActorBounds(bOnlyCollidingComponents=true) with a fallback so
  characters snap from their capsule bounds rather than bbox including
  non-colliding meshes / attached weapons / child actors that used to
  lift pawns into the air
- Multi-hit trace + normal.Z >= 0.3 filter skips walls, ceilings, and
  backfaces when finding the first true floor below

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/GameMode/PS_Editor_Pawn.cpp

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 #include "Camera/CameraComponent.h"
 #include "GameFramework/SpringArmComponent.h"
 #include "Components/PostProcessComponent.h"
+#include "Materials/MaterialInterface.h"
+#include "UObject/ConstructorHelpers.h"
 #include "EnhancedInputComponent.h"
 #include "EnhancedInputSubsystems.h"
 #include "InputAction.h"
@@ -10,6 +12,7 @@
 #include "InputTriggers.h"
 #include "GameFramework/PlayerController.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_SelectionManager.h"
+#include "PS_Editor_GroundSnap.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_PlayerController.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_Gizmo.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_UndoManager.h"
@@ -43,24 +46,27 @@ APS_Editor_Pawn::APS_Editor_Pawn()
 	OutlinePostProcess = CreateDefaultSubobject<UPostProcessComponent>(TEXT("OutlinePostProcess"));
 	OutlinePostProcess->SetupAttachment(RootScene);
 	OutlinePostProcess->bUnbound = true; // Apply to entire scene
+
+	// Hard-ref the outline material at CDO-construction time so the cooker follows it into
+	// packaged builds. Replaces the old runtime LoadObject<> soft-string path.
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UMaterialInterface> OutlineMatFinder(
+		TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline.M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline"));
+	if (OutlineMatFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		OutlineMaterial = OutlineMatFinder.Object;
+	}
 }
 
 void APS_Editor_Pawn::BeginPlay()
 {
 	Super::BeginPlay();
 
-	// Load outline post-process material
-	UMaterialInterface* OutlineMat = LoadObject<UMaterialInterface>(
-		nullptr, TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline.M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline"));
-	if (OutlineMat && OutlinePostProcess)
+	// OutlineMaterial is resolved in the ctor via ConstructorHelpers (hard cook ref).
+	if (OutlineMaterial && OutlinePostProcess)
 	{
-		OutlinePostProcess->Settings.WeightedBlendables.Array.Add(FWeightedBlendable(1.0f, OutlineMat));
-		UE_LOG(LogTemp, Log, TEXT("PS_Editor: Selection outline material loaded"));
+		OutlinePostProcess->Settings.WeightedBlendables.Array.Add(FWeightedBlendable(1.0f, OutlineMaterial));
 	}
-
-	// TODO: Spline occluded PP material — disabled for now, depth comparison unreliable
-	// Consider translucent second-pass approach instead of post-process
-	else
+	else if (!OutlineMaterial)
 	{
 		UE_LOG(LogTemp, Warning, TEXT("PS_Editor: Outline material /PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline not found. "
 			"Create a Post Process material in Plugins/PS_Editor/Content/"));
@@ -769,22 +775,18 @@ void APS_Editor_Pawn::HandleLeftClickStarted(const FInputActionValue& Value)
 		{
 			if (IPS_Editor_SplineEditable* Spline = Cast<IPS_Editor_SplineEditable>(EdPC3->GetActivePlacementActor()))
 			{
-				// Raycast to get world click position
-				FHitResult AddHit;
-				FCollisionQueryParams AddParams;
-				AddParams.AddIgnoredActor(this);
-				AddParams.AddIgnoredActor(Cast<AActor>(Spline));
-				const FVector AddEnd = RayOrigin + RayDir * 100000.0f;
+				// Project the click ray onto ground. Uses the shared helper so that a click
+				// pointing at the sky still lands the control point on the ground below the
+				// camera's forward vector (instead of floating 1000 units ahead).
+				TArray<AActor*> Ignored;
+				Ignored.Add(this);
+				if (AActor* SplineActor = Cast<AActor>(Spline)) Ignored.Add(SplineActor);
 
-				FVector ClickPos;
-				if (GetWorld()->LineTraceSingleByChannel(AddHit, RayOrigin, AddEnd, ECC_Camera, AddParams))
-				{
-					ClickPos = AddHit.ImpactPoint + FVector(0.0f, 0.0f, 5.0f);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					ClickPos = RayOrigin + RayDir * 1000.0f;
-				}
+				FVector ClickPos = PS_Editor_GroundSnap::ProjectCameraRayToGround(
+					GetWorld(), RayOrigin, RayDir, Ignored);
+				// Lift the CP slightly above the surface so the tube mesh renders cleanly
+				// (otherwise Z-fighting with the ground).
+				ClickPos.Z += 5.0f;
 
 				TArray<FVector> OldPoints = Spline->GetAllPointLocations();
 				Spline->AddPoint(ClickPos);
@@ -1023,6 +1025,12 @@ void APS_Editor_Pawn::HandleScaleMode(const FInputActionValue& Value)
 	}
 }
 
+void APS_Editor_Pawn::ClearActiveSubElementDrag()
+{
+	ActiveSplinePointIndex = -1;
+	DraggedSplineActor = nullptr;
+}
+
 void APS_Editor_Pawn::HandleDelete(const FInputActionValue& Value)
 {
 	if (CameraMode != EPS_Editor_CameraMode::Idle) return;

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/GameMode/PS_Editor_Pawn.h

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ class USpringArmComponent;
 class UPostProcessComponent;
 class UInputAction;
 class UInputMappingContext;
+class UMaterialInterface;
 
 DECLARE_DELEGATE_TwoParams(FPS_Editor_OnClick, FVector2D /*ScreenPos*/, bool /*bAdditive*/);
 
@@ -68,6 +69,11 @@ public:
 	/** Currently selected spline point index (-1 = none). Used by UI for Delete Point button. */
 	int32 ActiveSplinePointIndex = -1;
 
+	/** Clear any active sub-element drag state (spline point / ChildMovable index + target actor).
+	 *  Call this when leaving placement / edit mode so a subsequent gizmo drag on the newly
+	 *  selected parent actor moves the whole actor instead of the last clicked point. */
+	void ClearActiveSubElementDrag();
+
 protected:
 	virtual void BeginPlay() override;
 
@@ -85,6 +91,12 @@ protected:
 	UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Camera")
 	TObjectPtr<UPostProcessComponent> OutlinePostProcess;
 
+	/** Selection outline post-process material (from /PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SelectionOutline).
+	 *  Hard-ref so the cooker picks it up in packaged builds. Resolved via ConstructorHelpers
+	 *  in the ctor. */
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInterface> OutlineMaterial;
+
 	// ---- Camera Settings ----
 
 	UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite, Category = "Camera|Fly")

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/GameMode/PS_Editor_PlayerController.cpp

@@ -186,6 +186,17 @@ void APS_Editor_PlayerController::Tick(float DeltaTime)
 	{
 		SpawnManager->TickEditorMode(DeltaTime);
 	}
+
+	// Keep the gizmo glued to its selection every frame while simulating — otherwise
+	// animated actors (AI walking, timeline-driven properties, ragdoll) leave the gizmo
+	// behind at the pose it had when the actor was last selected / dragged. Outside of
+	// simulation the selection doesn't move on its own so the normal mutation-driven
+	// UpdateGizmo calls (click / drag / undo) are enough — and skipping this avoids any
+	// feedback with the pawn's in-progress gizmo drag.
+	if (bSimulating && SelectionManager && SelectionManager->IsAnythingSelected())
+	{
+		SelectionManager->UpdateGizmo();
+	}
 }
 
 void APS_Editor_PlayerController::OnPossess(APawn* InPawn)
@@ -554,6 +565,14 @@ void APS_Editor_PlayerController::FinishPointPlacement()
 		IPS_Editor_ChildMovable::Execute_ClearChildHighlight(PlacementActor);
 	}
 
+	// Clear the pawn's sub-element drag state (last clicked spline point / child index).
+	// Without this, grabbing the gizmo right after Done would move the last clicked point
+	// instead of the whole actor, because the drag logic keys on ActiveSplinePointIndex.
+	if (APS_Editor_Pawn* EditorPawn = Cast<APS_Editor_Pawn>(GetPawn()))
+	{
+		EditorPawn->ClearActiveSubElementDrag();
+	}
+
 	if (PlacementActor && SelectionManager)
 	{
 		SelectionManager->ClearSelection();

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Gizmo/PS_Editor_Gizmo.cpp

@@ -26,6 +26,15 @@ APS_Editor_Gizmo::APS_Editor_Gizmo()
 {
 	PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick = true;
 
+	// Hard-ref the gizmo base material at CDO-construction time so the cooker follows it
+	// into packaged builds. Replaces the old runtime LoadObject<> soft-string path.
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UMaterialInterface> GizmoBaseMatFinder(
+		TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_Gizmo.M_PS_Editor_Gizmo"));
+	if (GizmoBaseMatFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		GizmoBaseMaterial = GizmoBaseMatFinder.Object;
+	}
+
 	GizmoRoot = CreateDefaultSubobject<USceneComponent>(TEXT("GizmoRoot"));
 	SetRootComponent(GizmoRoot);
 
@@ -92,9 +101,8 @@ void APS_Editor_Gizmo::BeginPlay()
 {
 	Super::BeginPlay();
 
-	// Load gizmo material
-	UMaterialInterface* GizmoBaseMat = LoadObject<UMaterialInterface>(
-		nullptr, TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_Gizmo.M_PS_Editor_Gizmo"));
+	// GizmoBaseMaterial is resolved in the ctor via ConstructorHelpers (hard cook ref).
+	UMaterialInterface* GizmoBaseMat = GizmoBaseMaterial.Get();
 
 	auto MakeColorMat = [&](const FLinearColor& Color) -> UMaterialInstanceDynamic*
 	{

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Gizmo/PS_Editor_Gizmo.h

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 class UStaticMeshComponent;
 class UProceduralMeshComponent;
 class UMaterialInstanceDynamic;
+class UMaterialInterface;
 
 /**
  * Custom runtime transform gizmo for PS_Editor.
@@ -109,6 +110,12 @@ private:
 	TObjectPtr<UStaticMeshComponent> ScaleCube_Center;
 
 	// ---- Materials ----
+
+	/** Base gizmo material (from /PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_Gizmo). Hard-ref so the cooker
+	 *  picks it up in packaged builds. Resolved via ConstructorHelpers in the ctor. */
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInterface> GizmoBaseMaterial;
+
 	UPROPERTY()
 	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInstanceDynamic> Mat_X;
 	UPROPERTY()

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Selection/PS_Editor_GroundSnap.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+#include "PS_Editor_GroundSnap.h"
+#include "PS_Editor_SpawnableComponent.h"
+#include "Engine/World.h"
+#include "GameFramework/Actor.h"
+#include "CollisionQueryParams.h"
+
+namespace PS_Editor_GroundSnap
+{
+	// Normal.Z threshold that classifies a hit surface as "floor-like" (roughly walkable
+	// slope — cos(72°) ≈ 0.3). Below this, we treat the surface as a wall / ceiling /
+	// overhang and keep searching.
+	static constexpr float GFloorNormalThreshold = 0.3f;
+
+	/** Single downward trace that returns the first floor-like hit. Returns false if
+	 *  nothing below qualifies (all walls, ceiling-like geometry, etc.). */
+	static bool FindFloorBelow(UWorld* World, const FVector& Above, float Distance,
+		const FCollisionQueryParams& Params, FVector& OutImpact)
+	{
+		TArray<FHitResult> Hits;
+		if (!World->LineTraceMultiByChannel(Hits, Above, Above - FVector::UpVector * Distance,
+			ECC_Visibility, Params))
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		for (const FHitResult& H : Hits)
+		{
+			if (H.ImpactNormal.Z >= GFloorNormalThreshold)
+			{
+				OutImpact = H.ImpactPoint;
+				return true;
+			}
+		}
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	FVector ProjectCameraRayToGround(UWorld* World,
+		const FVector& Start,
+		const FVector& Direction,
+		const TArray<AActor*>& IgnoreActors,
+		float MaxCameraDistance,
+		float DefaultDistance,
+		float DownTraceDistance)
+	{
+		if (!World)
+		{
+			return Start + Direction * DefaultDistance;
+		}
+
+		FCollisionQueryParams Params(SCENE_QUERY_STAT(PS_Editor_GroundSnap), false);
+		for (AActor* A : IgnoreActors)
+		{
+			if (A) Params.AddIgnoredActor(A);
+		}
+
+		// 1) Primary camera-aligned trace.
+		FHitResult Hit;
+		if (World->LineTraceSingleByChannel(Hit, Start,
+			Start + Direction.GetSafeNormal() * MaxCameraDistance,
+			ECC_Visibility, Params))
+		{
+			const float NormalZ = Hit.ImpactNormal.Z;
+
+			// Ceiling / overhang: normal points DOWN. Re-cast downward from a point just
+			// BELOW the ceiling impact (not on the surface itself — avoids re-hitting the
+			// backface due to floating-point slop).
+			if (NormalZ <= -0.3f)
+			{
+				const FVector StartBelowCeiling = Hit.ImpactPoint - FVector::UpVector * 2.0f;
+				FVector FloorImpact;
+				if (FindFloorBelow(World, StartBelowCeiling, DownTraceDistance, Params, FloorImpact))
+				{
+					return FloorImpact;
+				}
+				return Hit.ImpactPoint;
+			}
+
+			// Wall: roughly horizontal normal. Step BACK along the wall normal (away from
+			// the surface) by a small distance so the placed object doesn't end up with its
+			// bbox half-buried in the wall, then cast down to find the floor at the foot
+			// of the wall. Without this, clicking on a wall drops the object inside it.
+			if (NormalZ < 0.3f) // not floor-like either
+			{
+				constexpr float WallStandoff = 30.0f;
+				const FVector StartAwayFromWall = Hit.ImpactPoint + Hit.ImpactNormal * WallStandoff;
+				FVector FloorImpact;
+				if (FindFloorBelow(World, StartAwayFromWall, DownTraceDistance, Params, FloorImpact))
+				{
+					return FloorImpact;
+				}
+				// No floor below — at least return the stood-off point so we're not inside
+				// the wall.
+				return StartAwayFromWall;
+			}
+
+			// Floor-like: use impact directly.
+			return Hit.ImpactPoint;
+		}
+
+		// 2) Camera missed. Aim DOWN from a fallback point in front of the camera so the
+		//    object still lands on ground instead of hovering in the sky.
+		const FVector FallbackTarget = Start + Direction.GetSafeNormal() * DefaultDistance;
+		FVector FloorImpact;
+		if (FindFloorBelow(World, FallbackTarget, DownTraceDistance, Params, FloorImpact))
+		{
+			return FloorImpact;
+		}
+
+		// 3) Nothing at all — give up and return the in-front point.
+		return FallbackTarget;
+	}
+
+	bool SnapActorToGround(AActor* Actor,
+		FVector& OutLocation,
+		float OverheadRaise,
+		float MaxDistance,
+		const TArray<AActor*>& ExtraIgnored)
+	{
+		if (!Actor || !Actor->GetWorld())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		// Measure the bbox bottom relative to the pivot. Use COLLIDING components only so
+		// a Character's capsule drives the calculation — not its skeletal mesh (often with
+		// collision disabled) or attached weapons / child actors whose meshes may extend
+		// below the capsule and artificially lift the pawn by that overflow.
+		// Falls back to the full actor bounds if no colliding component is found (e.g. a
+		// pure-mesh prop without collision — rare but possible).
+		FVector BoundsOrigin, BoundsExtent;
+		Actor->GetActorBounds(/*bOnlyCollidingComponents*/ true, BoundsOrigin, BoundsExtent);
+		if (BoundsExtent.IsNearlyZero())
+		{
+			Actor->GetActorBounds(false, BoundsOrigin, BoundsExtent);
+		}
+		const float ActorZ = Actor->GetActorLocation().Z;
+		const float BBoxBottomZ = BoundsOrigin.Z - BoundsExtent.Z;
+		const float BBoxTopZ = BoundsOrigin.Z + BoundsExtent.Z;
+		const float PivotAboveBottom = ActorZ - BBoxBottomZ;
+
+		float ExtraOffset = 0.0f;
+		if (UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent* SpawnComp = Actor->FindComponentByClass<UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent>())
+		{
+			ExtraOffset = SpawnComp->GroundOffset;
+		}
+
+		// Start INSIDE the actor (at its pivot + a small buffer), not above its bbox top.
+		// Why: if we started above the bbox top and the actor was raised even slightly into
+		// a ceiling, the ray would cross the ceiling and the FIRST floor-like hit (filtered
+		// by normal.Z >= 0.3) would be the CEILING'S TOP FACE — i.e. the floor of the
+		// upper story. That made "End" teleport the actor up to the next story when the
+		// user only nudged it a bit too high.
+		//
+		// Starting at the pivot keeps the ray origin within the actor's own volume (pivot
+		// is always inside or at the edge of the bbox for normal meshes / characters). The
+		// actor is in the ignore list, so the trace passes straight through its own body
+		// and finds the first floor-like surface UNDERNEATH the actor — i.e. the floor of
+		// its current room.
+		//
+		// OverheadRaise is unused now (kept for API compat); the 2.0f buffer just avoids
+		// a degenerate "ray starts exactly on ground surface" edge case when the pivot
+		// coincides with the ground.
+		(void)BBoxTopZ; (void)OverheadRaise;
+		const FVector Start = Actor->GetActorLocation() + FVector(0.f, 0.f, 2.0f);
+		const FVector End = Start - FVector::UpVector * MaxDistance;
+
+		FCollisionQueryParams Params(SCENE_QUERY_STAT(PS_Editor_SnapActorToGround), false);
+		Params.AddIgnoredActor(Actor);
+		for (AActor* A : ExtraIgnored)
+		{
+			if (A) Params.AddIgnoredActor(A);
+		}
+
+		// Multi-hit trace + filter by normal so we only snap to floor-like surfaces.
+		// Accepts slopes up to ~72 degrees (normal.Z > 0.3). Rejects walls, ceilings,
+		// overhangs, and any backface we might cross on the way down.
+		TArray<FHitResult> Hits;
+		if (!Actor->GetWorld()->LineTraceMultiByChannel(Hits, Start, End, ECC_Visibility, Params))
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		constexpr float FloorNormalThreshold = 0.3f; // cos(~72 deg)
+		for (const FHitResult& H : Hits)
+		{
+			if (H.ImpactNormal.Z >= FloorNormalThreshold)
+			{
+				OutLocation = Actor->GetActorLocation();
+				OutLocation.Z = H.ImpactPoint.Z + PivotAboveBottom + ExtraOffset;
+				return true;
+			}
+		}
+		// Trace hit stuff but nothing floor-like — don't move the actor.
+		return false;
+	}
+}

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Selection/PS_Editor_GroundSnap.h

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "CoreMinimal.h"
+
+class AActor;
+class UWorld;
+
+/**
+ * Ground-placement helpers used across catalogue spawn, End-key snap, and spline point
+ * placement. The goal is that every object the user drops / snaps ends up on the ground
+ * by default, even when the camera is pointing at the sky.
+ */
+namespace PS_Editor_GroundSnap
+{
+	/**
+	 * Project a camera-style ray onto ground.
+	 *
+	 * Sequence:
+	 *   1. Line-trace from Start along Direction for up to MaxCameraDistance.
+	 *      - Hit a surface whose normal points UP / sideways -> return ImpactPoint.
+	 *      - Hit a surface whose normal points DOWN (ceiling, overhang) -> re-cast straight
+	 *        down from the impact point so the object lands on the floor underneath the
+	 *        overhead surface instead of glued to the ceiling.
+	 *   2. Camera ray missed entirely (user aiming at the sky). Fall back to a point at
+	 *      DefaultDistance in front of the camera, then cast DOWN from there for
+	 *      DownTraceDistance. If THAT hits, return the downward impact.
+	 *   3. Still nothing (infinite drop) -> return the in-front fallback unmodified so the
+	 *      caller at least gets a point in world space instead of a zero vector.
+	 *
+	 * @param IgnoreActors  Actors the line trace must skip (typically the player pawn and,
+	 *                      for re-snapping an existing actor, the actor itself — otherwise
+	 *                      the trace hits its own mesh and nothing moves).
+	 */
+	PS_EDITOR_API FVector ProjectCameraRayToGround(UWorld* World,
+		const FVector& Start,
+		const FVector& Direction,
+		const TArray<AActor*>& IgnoreActors = {},
+		float MaxCameraDistance = 20000.0f,
+		float DefaultDistance = 1500.0f,
+		float DownTraceDistance = 50000.0f);
+
+	/**
+	 * Compute a world position such that Actor's bounding-box bottom lands on the ground
+	 * directly under its current XY position. Optionally adds a SpawnableComponent's
+	 * GroundOffset for props that look better floating slightly (rugs, characters, etc.).
+	 *
+	 * Properly handles pivots not at bbox center (e.g. characters with pivot at feet) by
+	 * measuring the pivot-to-bbox-bottom delta from GetActorBounds.
+	 *
+	 * The downward ray starts AT the actor's pivot (+ small buffer), not above its bbox.
+	 * This keeps the trace origin within the current room (the pivot is always inside or
+	 * on the edge of the actor's own volume) so the snap lands on the floor the actor is
+	 * currently in, even when the actor has been nudged slightly into a ceiling. A multi-
+	 * hit trace + a normal.Z >= 0.3 floor filter skips walls, ceilings, and backfaces
+	 * encountered on the way down.
+	 *
+	 * OverheadRaise is kept for API compatibility but is no longer used — starting above
+	 * the bbox was exactly what caused "End teleports to the upper story" bugs.
+	 *
+	 * @return true + OutLocation filled when ground was found; false when nothing is below.
+	 */
+	PS_EDITOR_API bool SnapActorToGround(AActor* Actor,
+		FVector& OutLocation,
+		float OverheadRaise = 50.0f,
+		float MaxDistance = 50000.0f,
+		const TArray<AActor*>& ExtraIgnored = {});
+}

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Selection/PS_Editor_SelectionManager.cpp

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "PS_Editor_UndoManager.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_PlayerController.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_SpawnManager.h"
+#include "PS_Editor_GroundSnap.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_EditableComponent.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_SpawnableComponent.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_SplineActor.h"
@@ -448,6 +449,11 @@ void UPS_Editor_SelectionManager::SnapSelectionToGround()
 	TSharedPtr<FPS_Editor_TransformAction> UndoAction = MakeShared<FPS_Editor_TransformAction>();
 	UndoAction->Description = FString::Printf(TEXT("Snap to ground %d actor(s)"), SelectedActors.Num());
 
+	// Extra ignores shared across every actor in the batch.
+	TArray<AActor*> ExtraIgnored;
+	if (APawn* Pwn = PC->GetPawn()) ExtraIgnored.Add(Pwn);
+	if (Gizmo) ExtraIgnored.Add(Gizmo);
+
 	for (const TWeakObjectPtr<AActor>& Weak : SelectedActors)
 	{
 		AActor* Actor = Weak.Get();
@@ -456,36 +462,11 @@ void UPS_Editor_SelectionManager::SnapSelectionToGround()
 		UndoAction->Actors.Add(Actor);
 		UndoAction->OldTransforms.Add(Actor->GetActorTransform());
 
-		FVector Origin, Extent;
-		Actor->GetActorBounds(false, Origin, Extent);
-		float BottomOffset = Extent.Z;
-
-		// Add custom ground offset from SpawnableComponent if available
-		if (UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent* SpawnComp = Actor->FindComponentByClass<UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent>())
+		FVector NewLocation;
+		if (PS_Editor_GroundSnap::SnapActorToGround(Actor, NewLocation,
+			/*OverheadRaise*/ 50.0f, /*MaxDistance*/ 50000.0f, ExtraIgnored))
 		{
-			BottomOffset += SpawnComp->GroundOffset;
-		}
-
-		const FVector Start = Actor->GetActorLocation();
-		const FVector End = Start - FVector::UpVector * 100000.0f;
-
-		FHitResult Hit;
-		FCollisionQueryParams Params;
-		Params.AddIgnoredActor(Actor);
-		Params.AddIgnoredActor(PC->GetPawn());
-		if (Gizmo) Params.AddIgnoredActor(Gizmo);
-
-		if (Actor->GetWorld()->LineTraceSingleByChannel(Hit, Start, End, ECC_Camera, Params))
-		{
-			FVector NewLocation = Hit.ImpactPoint;
-			NewLocation.Z += BottomOffset;
 			Actor->SetActorLocation(NewLocation);
-
-			UE_LOG(LogTemp, Log, TEXT("PS_Editor: SnapToGround '%s' -> Hit '%s' (%s) at Z=%.1f, BottomOffset=%.1f, NewZ=%.1f"),
-				*Actor->GetName(),
-				*Hit.GetActor()->GetName(),
-				*Hit.GetComponent()->GetName(),
-				Hit.ImpactPoint.Z, BottomOffset, NewLocation.Z);
 		}
 		else
 		{

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Selection/PS_Editor_SelectionManager.h

@@ -106,6 +106,11 @@ public:
 
 	FPS_Editor_OnSelectionChanged OnSelectionChanged;
 
+	/** Update gizmo visibility, position, orientation, and axis constraints from the
+	 *  current selection. Called on every selection mutation, and per-tick during
+	 *  simulation so the gizmo tracks animated pawns. */
+	void UpdateGizmo();
+
 private:
 	UPROPERTY()
 	TWeakObjectPtr<APlayerController> OwnerPC;
@@ -127,7 +132,4 @@ private:
 
 	/** Clean up any stale weak pointers in the selection array. */
 	void CleanupStaleReferences();
-
-	/** Update gizmo visibility and position based on current selection. */
-	void UpdateGizmo();
 };

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Spawn/PS_Editor_SpawnManager.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "PS_Editor_UndoManager.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_PlayerController.h"
 #include "PS_Editor_TimelineSubsystem.h"
+#include "PS_Editor_GroundSnap.h"
 #include "AIController.h"
 #include "BrainComponent.h"
 #include "GameFramework/PlayerController.h"
@@ -159,27 +160,19 @@ AActor* UPS_Editor_SpawnManager::SpawnFromCatalogAtLocation(int32 Index, FVector
 	SpawnedActors.Add(SpawnedActor);
 	RegisterSpawnedActorId(PC->GetWorld(), SpawnedActor);
 
-	// Auto-snap to ground if configured
+	// Auto-snap to ground if configured — uses the shared helper so it handles pivot
+	// positions (characters with pivot at feet) + ignores the fresh actor itself.
 	UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent* SpawnComp = SpawnedActor->FindComponentByClass<UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent>();
 	if (SpawnComp && SpawnComp->bAutoSnapToGround && PC->GetWorld())
 	{
-		FVector Origin, Extent;
-		SpawnedActor->GetActorBounds(false, Origin, Extent);
-		float BottomOffset = Extent.Z + SpawnComp->GroundOffset;
+		TArray<AActor*> ExtraIgnored;
+		if (APawn* Pwn = PC->GetPawn()) ExtraIgnored.Add(Pwn);
 
-		const FVector Start = SpawnedActor->GetActorLocation();
-		const FVector End = Start - FVector::UpVector * 100000.0f;
-
-		FHitResult Hit;
-		FCollisionQueryParams SnapParams;
-		SnapParams.AddIgnoredActor(SpawnedActor);
-		SnapParams.AddIgnoredActor(PC->GetPawn());
-
-		if (PC->GetWorld()->LineTraceSingleByChannel(Hit, Start, End, ECC_Camera, SnapParams))
+		FVector SnappedLoc;
+		if (PS_Editor_GroundSnap::SnapActorToGround(SpawnedActor, SnappedLoc,
+			/*OverheadRaise*/ 50.0f, /*MaxDistance*/ 50000.0f, ExtraIgnored))
 		{
-			FVector NewLoc = Hit.ImpactPoint;
-			NewLoc.Z += BottomOffset;
-			SpawnedActor->SetActorLocation(NewLoc);
+			SpawnedActor->SetActorLocation(SnappedLoc);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -273,23 +266,14 @@ FVector UPS_Editor_SpawnManager::ComputeSpawnLocation() const
 	FRotator CameraRotation;
 	PC->GetPlayerViewPoint(CameraLocation, CameraRotation);
 
-	const FVector Direction = CameraRotation.Vector();
-	const float MaxDistance = 5000.0f;
-	const float DefaultDistance = 500.0f;
-	const float SurfaceOffset = 5.0f;
+	// Unified placement: camera ray first, and if the camera is pointing at the sky / empty
+	// space, fall back to a downward trace from a point in front of the camera so the spawn
+	// still lands on ground. Avoids the "aim up, object hovers in the sky" bug.
+	TArray<AActor*> Ignored;
+	if (APawn* Pwn = PC->GetPawn()) Ignored.Add(Pwn);
 
-	FHitResult Hit;
-	FCollisionQueryParams Params;
-	Params.AddIgnoredActor(PC->GetPawn());
-
-	if (PC->GetWorld()->LineTraceSingleByChannel(Hit, CameraLocation, CameraLocation + Direction * MaxDistance, ECC_Visibility, Params))
-	{
-		// Hit something — place at impact point, slightly offset along the surface normal
-		return Hit.ImpactPoint + Hit.ImpactNormal * SurfaceOffset;
-	}
-
-	// Nothing hit — fallback to default distance
-	return CameraLocation + Direction * DefaultDistance;
+	return PS_Editor_GroundSnap::ProjectCameraRayToGround(PC->GetWorld(), CameraLocation,
+		CameraRotation.Vector(), Ignored);
 }
 
 AActor* UPS_Editor_SpawnManager::SpawnActorDirect(UClass* ActorClass, FVector Location, FRotator Rotation, FVector Scale)

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Spline/PS_Editor_SplineActor.cpp

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 #include "ProceduralMeshComponent.h"
 #include "Components/StaticMeshComponent.h"
 #include "Engine/StaticMesh.h"
+#include "Materials/MaterialInterface.h"
 #include "Materials/MaterialInstanceDynamic.h"
+#include "UObject/ConstructorHelpers.h"
 
 APS_Editor_SplineActor::APS_Editor_SplineActor()
 {
@@ -50,25 +52,46 @@ APS_Editor_SplineActor::APS_Editor_SplineActor()
 	EditableComp->EditableProperties.Add({FName(TEXT("SplineColor"))});
 	EditableComp->EditableProperties.Add({FName(TEXT("SplineSelectedColor"))});
 	EditableComp->EditableProperties.Add({FName(TEXT("SplineTag"))});
+
+	// Hard-ref plugin + engine assets at CDO-construction time so the cooker follows them
+	// into packaged builds. Replaces the old runtime LoadObject<> soft-string paths.
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UMaterialInterface> GizmoBaseMatFinder(
+		TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_Gizmo.M_PS_Editor_Gizmo"));
+	if (GizmoBaseMatFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		GizmoBaseMaterial = GizmoBaseMatFinder.Object;
+	}
+
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UMaterialInterface> SplineLineMatFinder(
+		TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SplineLine.M_PS_Editor_SplineLine"));
+	if (SplineLineMatFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		SplineLineMaterial = SplineLineMatFinder.Object;
+	}
+
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UStaticMesh> CubeFinder(
+		TEXT("/Engine/BasicShapes/Cube.Cube"));
+	if (CubeFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		CenterCubeMesh = CubeFinder.Object;
+	}
+
+	static ConstructorHelpers::FObjectFinder<UStaticMesh> SphereFinder(
+		TEXT("/Engine/BasicShapes/Sphere.Sphere"));
+	if (SphereFinder.Succeeded())
+	{
+		HandleSphereMesh = SphereFinder.Object;
+	}
 }
 
 void APS_Editor_SplineActor::BeginPlay()
 {
 	Super::BeginPlay();
 
-	// Gizmo material (no depth test, renders on top) for handles and selected state
-	UMaterialInterface* GizmoMat = LoadObject<UMaterialInterface>(
-		nullptr, TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_Gizmo.M_PS_Editor_Gizmo"));
-
-	// Auto-generated opaque unlit material (depth tested) for spline line
-	UMaterialInterface* SplineLineMat = LoadObject<UMaterialInterface>(
-		nullptr, TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SplineLine.M_PS_Editor_SplineLine"));
-
-	if (!SplineLineMat)
-	{
-		UE_LOG(LogTemp, Warning, TEXT("PS_Editor: M_PS_Editor_SplineLine not found, trying without double name..."));
-		SplineLineMat = LoadObject<UMaterialInterface>(nullptr, TEXT("/PS_Editor/M_PS_Editor_SplineLine"));
-	}
+	// GizmoBaseMaterial / SplineLineMaterial / meshes are resolved in the ctor via
+	// ConstructorHelpers — hard cook references, available here.
+	UMaterialInterface* GizmoMat = GizmoBaseMaterial.Get();
+	UMaterialInterface* SplineLineMat = SplineLineMaterial.Get();
 
 	// Spline line: normal depth-tested material (uses SplineColor property)
 	if (SplineLineMat)
@@ -102,10 +125,9 @@ void APS_Editor_SplineActor::BeginPlay()
 	CenterCube = NewObject<UStaticMeshComponent>(this);
 	CenterCube->SetupAttachment(GetRootComponent());
 	CenterCube->RegisterComponent();
-	UStaticMesh* CubeMesh = LoadObject<UStaticMesh>(nullptr, TEXT("/Engine/BasicShapes/Cube.Cube"));
-	if (CubeMesh)
+	if (CenterCubeMesh)
 	{
-		CenterCube->SetStaticMesh(CubeMesh);
+		CenterCube->SetStaticMesh(CenterCubeMesh);
 	}
 	CenterCube->SetWorldScale3D(FVector(CenterCubeScale));
 	CenterCube->SetCollisionEnabled(ECollisionEnabled::QueryOnly);
@@ -310,11 +332,10 @@ UStaticMeshComponent* APS_Editor_SplineActor::CreatePointHandle(const FVector& W
 	Handle->SetupAttachment(HandleRoot);
 	Handle->RegisterComponent();
 
-	// Load sphere mesh
-	UStaticMesh* SphereMesh = LoadObject<UStaticMesh>(nullptr, TEXT("/Engine/BasicShapes/Sphere.Sphere"));
-	if (SphereMesh)
+	// HandleSphereMesh resolved via ConstructorHelpers (hard cook ref).
+	if (HandleSphereMesh)
 	{
-		Handle->SetStaticMesh(SphereMesh);
+		Handle->SetStaticMesh(HandleSphereMesh);
 	}
 
 	Handle->SetWorldLocation(WorldPosition);

Unreal/Plugins/PS_Editor/Source/PS_Editor/Spline/PS_Editor_SplineActor.h

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ class USplineComponent;
 class UProceduralMeshComponent;
 class UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent;
 class UPS_Editor_EditableComponent;
+class UMaterialInterface;
+class UStaticMesh;
 
 /**
  * Runtime spline actor for path/route editing in PS_Editor.
@@ -166,6 +168,23 @@ private:
 	UPROPERTY()
 	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInstanceDynamic> CenterCubeMat;
 
+	// ---- Hard-ref source assets (cooked into packaged builds via ConstructorHelpers) ----
+
+	/** Gizmo base material for spline handles / selected state (renders on top). */
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInterface> GizmoBaseMaterial;
+
+	/** Depth-tested material for the normal spline line. */
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UMaterialInterface> SplineLineMaterial;
+
+	/** Engine basic shapes used for the center cube and point handles. */
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UStaticMesh> CenterCubeMesh;
+
+	UPROPERTY()
+	TObjectPtr<UStaticMesh> HandleSphereMesh;
+
 	UPROPERTY(VisibleAnywhere)
 	TObjectPtr<UPS_Editor_SpawnableComponent> SpawnableComp;