book

Unity 3.x Game Development Essentials

Name: Unity 3.x Game Development Essentials
Author: Will Goldstone
ISBN: 9781849691444

by Will Goldstone

December 2011

Beginner

488 pages

11h 47m

English

Packt Publishing

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Unity 3.xGame Development Essentials
Table of Contents
Unity 3.x Game Development Essentials
Credits
Foreword
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Support files, eBooks, discount offers and moreWhy Subscribe?Free Access for Packt account holders
Preface
What this book covers
What you need for this book

Who this book is for
Getting help with the book and updates
Conventions
Reader feedback
Customer support
Downloading the book asset bundleDownloading the color images of this bookErrataPiracyQuestions
1. Enter the Third Dimension
Getting to grips with 3DCoordinatesLocal space versus world spaceVectorsCamerasProjection mode—3D versus 2DPolygons, edges, vertices, and meshesMaterials, textures, and shaders
Rigidbody physics
Collision detection
Essential Unity concepts
The Unity way—an exampleAssetsScenesGameObjectsComponentsScriptsPrefabs
The interface
The Scene view and HierarchyControl toolsFlythrough Scene navigationControl barSearch boxCreate buttonThe InspectorThe Project windowThe Game view
Summary
2. Prototyping and Scripting Basics
Your first Unity project
A basic prototyping environment
Setting the sceneAdding simple lightingAnother brick in the wallBuilding the master brickAnd snap!—It's a rowGrouping and duplicating with empty objectsBuild it up, knock it down!Setting the viewpoint
Introducing scripting
A new behaviour script or 'class'What's inside a new C# behaviourBasic functionsVariables in C#What's inside a new Javascript behaviourVariables in JavascriptCommentsWall attackDeclaring public variablesAssigning scripts to objectsMoving the cameraLocal, private, and public variablesLocal variables and receiving input
Understanding Translate
Implementing Translate
Testing the game so far
Making a projectileCreating the projectile prefabCreating and applying a materialAdding physics with a Rigidbody
Storing with prefabs
Firing the projectile
Using Instantiate() to spawn objects
Adding a force to the Rigidbody
Summary
3. Creating the Environment
Designing the game
Using the terrain editor
Terrain menu featuresImporting and exporting heightmapsSetting the resolutionMass place treesFlatten HeightmapRefresh tree and detail prototypesThe terrain toolsetTerrain ScriptRaise heightPaint heightSmooth HeightPaint TexturePlace TreesPaint DetailsTerrain SettingsCreating the island—sun, sea, and sandStep 1—Setting up the terrainStep 2—Creating the Island outlineStep 3—Volcano!Step 4—Adding texturesPainting procedureSandy areasGrass & RockVolcanoes rock!Step 5—Tree timeStep 6—The grass is always greenerStep 7—Let there be lights!Creating sunlightStep 8—What's that sound?Sounds—2D versus 3DAudio file formatsThe hills are alive!Importing the book's asset packageFurther audio settingsStep 9—Look, there! Up in the skybox!Step 10—Open waterStep 11—Going walkaboutStep 12—Final tweaks
Summary
4. Player Characters and Further Scripting
Working with the InspectorTagsLayersPrefabs and the Inspector
Anatomy of a character
Deconstructing the First Person Controller object
Parent-child issuesFirst Person Controller objectObject 1: First Person Controller (parent)TransformCharacter ControllerMouse Look (Script)Character Motor (Script)FPSInput Controller (Script)Object 2: Graphics (child)Mesh filterMesh RendererObject 3: Main Camera (child)CameraGUILayer and Flare LayerMouse Look (Script)Audio listener
Further scripting
CommandsVariablesVariable data typesUsing variablesPublic versus private variablesDeclaring public and private variables
Full example
FunctionsUpdate()OnMouseDown()Writing custom functionsReturn typeArgumentsDeclaring a custom functionCalling a custom functionIf else statementsC#:Multiple conditionsFor loops
Inter-script communication and Dot Syntax
Accessing other objectsFind() and FindWithTag()SendMessageGetComponentProgramming for MobileDot SyntaxCommentsFurther reading
Scripting for character movement
Deconstructing the scriptFull script (Javascript)Variable declarationStoring movement informationMoving the characterChecking grounded@Script commands
Summary
5. Interactions
External modeling applicationsCommon settings for modelsMeshesNormals and TangentsMaterialsAnimationsAnimation Compression
Setting up the outpost model
Adding the outpost
PositioningRotationAdding collidersAdding the RigidbodyAdding audioDisabling automatic animation
Collisions and triggers
Ray casting
The frame missPredictive collision detection
Opening the outpost
Approach 1—Collision detectionCreating new assetsScripting for character collision detectionWorking with OnControllerColliderHitOpenDoor() custom functionDeclaring the functionChecking door statusPlaying audioTesting the scriptExtending collidersPlaying animationReversing the procedureCode maintainabilityDrawbacks of collision detectionApproach 2—Ray castingDisabling collision detection with commentsMigrating code—writing a DoorManager scriptTidying PlayerCollisionsCasting the rayResetting the colliderApproach 3—Trigger collision detectionCreating and scaling the trigger zoneScripting for trigger collisionsRemoving PlayerCollisions
Summary
6. Collection, Inventory, and HUD
Creating the power cell prefabDownloading, importing, and placingTagging the power cellCollider scaling and rotationEnlarging the power cellAdding a trigger colliderCollider scaleAdding the RigidbodyCreating the power cell scriptAdding rotationAdding Trigger Collision DetectionSaving as a prefab
Scattering power cells
Writing the Player Inventory
Saving the charge valueSetting the variable start valueAudio feedbackAdding the CellPickup() functionAdding the Inventory to the player
Restricting outpost access
Restricting door access with a cell counter
Displaying the power cell HUD
Import settings for GUI texturesCreating the GUITexture objectPositioning the PowerGUI textureScripting for texture swapUnderstanding arraysAdding the HUD arrayAssigning textures to the arrayDisabling the HUD for game startEnabling the HUD during runtimeAdding the power generatorSignifying door unlockAdding the locked lightSwitching lights and removing the HUD
Hints for the player
Writing on screen with GUITextScripting for GUIText controlAdjusting hints to show progressUsing fonts
Summary
7. Instantiation and Rigidbodies
Utilizing instantiation
Rigidbodies
ForcesThe Rigidbody component
Making the mini-game
Creating the coconut prefabCreating the textured coconutAdding physicsSaving as a prefabCreating the Launcher objectScripting to throw coconutsChecking for player inputPlaying feedback soundInstantiating the coconutNaming instancesAssigning velocityAdding development safeguardsEnsuring component presenceSafeguarding collisionsUsing IgnoreCollision() codeIgnoring collisions with layersIncluding the Audio Source componentFinal checksInstantiate restriction and object tidyingActivating coconut throwWriting the throwing mat trigger scriptAdding the coconut shy shackImport settingsCreating the throwing mat triggerRemoving coconutsTargets and coconut collisionsPlacementDisabling automatic animationAdding Rigidbodies to moving partsWriting the Coconut collision detection scriptEstablishing variablesCollision detectionUsing co-routines to time game elementsIncluding the Audio Source componentAssigning the scriptCreating more targetsWinning the gameSetting up variablesChecking for a winScript assignmentIncrementing and decrementing target countAdding to the target countSubtracting from the target countFinishing touchesAdding the crosshairToggling the crosshair GUI TextureInforming the player
Summary
8. Particle Systems
What is a particle system?Particle EmitterParticle AnimatorParticle Renderer
Creating the task
Assets involvedAdding the log pileCreating the campfire particle systemsCreating fireEllipsoid Particle Emitter settingsParticle Animator settingsParticle Renderer settingsAdding a materialPositioning the FireSystemTime to Test!Blowing smoke!Ellipsoid Particle Emitter settingsParticle Animator settingsParticle Renderer settingsPositioningAdding audio to the fire3D AudioLighting the fireAdding the matchesWriting the Match Collection scriptCreating the matches GUICollecting the matchesStarting the fireUsing arrays and loops for commands on multiple objectsSignifying Inventory usage
Testing and confirming
So, what's the problem?Safeguarding with additional conditions
Summary
9. Designing Menus
Interfaces and menusCreating the sceneDuplicating the islandGrouping the environment objectsDuplicating the sceneFraming the shotPreparing textures for GUI usageAdding the game titleGUITexture formatsCreating the GUITexture objectPositioning
Creating the menu with GUITextures and mouse events
Adding the play buttonGUITexture button scriptLoading scenesAssigning public variablesTesting the buttonAdding the instructions buttonAdding the quit buttonChecking scripts with Debug commands
Creating the menu with the Unity GUI class and GUI skins
Disabling game objectsCreating the menuCreating public variablesThe OnGUI() functionPositioning for GUIsPixel-specific positioningStyling GUI buttons with a GUI skinUsing textures for GUI button backgroundsChoosing font size for GUI buttonsResolution-independent positioningScripting button actionsAdding the Instructions pageCreating menu pagesFormatting the GUI label with the GUI skin assetA note on optimizing the loading process
Summary
10. Animation Basics
Game win sequenceWin sequence approachTriggering the winCreating the game win messagesPositioning win sequence GUI elementsGrouping GUITextures for optimized instantiationAnimating with linear interpolation (Lerp)Adjusting animationsStoring the win sequenceCreating the win objectCreating the Fader and using the Animation panelScaling for various resolutionsStarting the Fader from invisibilityAnimation panel overviewCreating an animation clipCreating keyframesUsing animation curvesAdding animation eventsCreating and animating the Loading GUILoading scenes with animation eventsStoring and instantiating the Loading GUILoading the win sequenceLayering GUITexturesChallenge—fading in the Island scene
Summary
11. Performance Tweaks and Finishing Touches
Terrain tweaks and player positionTweaking the terrainPositioning treesHills, troughs, and texture blendingLife's a beachKeep on the right path
Positioning the player
Optimizing performance
Camera Clip Planes and FogLightmappingLighting and baking the islandPreparing for lightmappingThe outpost and generatorLighting inside the outpostLighting a mesh with a Self Illuminated shaderLighting inside with Baked-Only Point LightsThe coconut shyThe campfireBaking the lightmapLightmapping overviewAmbient lightingIncluding lightsExcluding from the bakeBaking the sceneRestoring dynamic objects
Finishing touches
Volcano!Positioning the particle systemRequired assetsMaking the smoke materialParticle system settingsEllipsoid Particle Emitter settingsParticle Animator settingsAdding audio to the volcanoVolcano testingCoconut trailsEditing the PrefabTrail Renderer componentUpdating the prefabSummary
12. Building and Sharing
Build optionsWeb PlayerWeb Player StreamedPC or Mac standaloneOSX Dashboard Widget
Build Settings
Player Settings
Cross-Platform SettingsPer-Platform SettingsResolution and PresentationWeb Player SettingsStandalone SettingsIconStandaloneSplash ImageStandaloneOther SettingsWeb PlayerStandalone
Quality Settings
Player Input settings
Building the game
Adapting for web buildQuit button platform automationPreparing for streamingDisplaying streamed loading progressStyling the loading info boxFirst BuildBuilding the StandaloneFree versus ProBuilding for the WebEmbedding web player builds in your own siteThe <head>—web JavaScriptMaking the <head> code portableObject embedding from the <BODY>Styling your Unity embed with CSS
Sharing your work
Sharing on Kongregate.com
Summary
13. Testing and Further Study
Learn by doing
Testing and finalizing
Public testingFrame rate feedbackOptimizing performance
Approaches to learning
Cover as many bases as possibleDon't reinvent the wheelIf you don't know, just ask!
Summary
Index

Overview

Unity 3.x Game Development Essentials is your gateway into the world of 3D game creation. With practical guidance, this book takes you from learning the Unity interface to building your very own 3D first-person game. From prototyping to scripting, it equips you with the knowledge and skills to turn your game ideas into playable realities.

What this Book will help me do

Understand key concepts in game design and development using the Unity game engine.
Develop programming skills in C# or JavaScript tailored for game mechanics.
Create and design an immersive 3D game environment with terrains and external models.
Integrate particle effects, animations, and interactivity into your games.
Publish your complete 3D games to multiple platforms, ready for players to enjoy.

Author(s)

Will Goldstone is a seasoned instructor and game designer with extensive experience in using Unity for creating interactive 3D experiences. With a focus on making complex topics accessible, he has helped countless beginners take their first steps into game development. His friendly and approachable teaching style is reflected throughout this guidebook.

Who is it for?

This book is ideal for aspiring game developers and hobbyists who are new to game development or Unity. It's perfect for anyone with a passion for video games and an eagerness to create their own, regardless of technical background. Beginners aiming to conceptualize, design, and publish their own games will find this a comprehensive resource. Enthusiasts with an interest in game physics, design, and user experience will also benefit immensely.

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