# Feeding external data into deformer graph There's two primary ways to feed external data into a deformer graph (aside from data accessible from skinned meshes via component bindings). \ \ The first is to use the Set Variable methods provided by the Optimus Deformer Instance class:

The "In Variable Name" param must match the name of a variable inside the deformer graph exactly.

This allows you to modify deformer graph values on demand, such as the strength of effects, stiffness/damping values, forces, etc. The second way to feed data into deformer graphs is by creating custom [Animation Attributes](https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/fbx-attributes-in-unreal-engine) and using control rig to embed the struct data into your skinned mesh, which can then be accessed by deformer graph using built in nodes. This can be useful in cases where you have lots of data coming in whose values change frequently, you can send it all at once every animation tick instead of relying on blueprint Set Variable calls. For an example on how to set this up, refer to the Epic content examples project. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://dilly.gitbook.io/dilly/deformer-graph/feeding-external-data-into-deformer-graph.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.