book

Mastering UI Development with Unity - Second Edition

by Dr. Ashley Godbold

June 2024

Intermediate to advanced

638 pages

15h 7m

English

Packt Publishing

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ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewers
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your ThoughtsDownload a free PDF copy of this book
Technical requirementsDefining UI and GUIThe four game interface typesLaying out the UI elementsResolution and aspect ratioChanging the aspect ratio and resolution of the game viewBuilding for a single resolutionSummary
Technical requirementsSetting the resolution, aspect ratio, and orientationSetting the resolution in the Game viewThe Device SimulatorBuilding for a specific orientationRecommended button sizesFull screen/screen portion tapsThe thumb zoneOther mobile inputsDevice-specific resourcesSummary
What are XR, VR, MR, and AR?Designing UI for VRVisual UI placement and considerationsInteractable UI placement and considerationsDesigning UI for MRDesigning UI for ARSummaryFurther reading
What are universal design and accessible design?Universal design principlesEquitable useFlexibility in useSimple and intuitive usePerceptible informationTolerance of errorLow physical effortSize and space for approach and useAccessibility designVisionHearing and speechMobilityCognitive and emotionalAdditional resourcesSummary
The three UI systemsUnity UI (or uGUI)IMGUIUI ToolkitChoosing between the UI systemsThe two input systemsThe Input ManagerThe new Input SystemChoosing between the Input System and the new Input SystemSummary
Technical requirementsUI CanvasRect Transform componentCanvas componentCanvas Scalar componentGraphic Raycaster componentCanvas Renderer componentUI PanelRect TransformRect ToolRect Transform componentAnchor and Pivot PointsCanvas Group componentIntroducing UI Text and ImageExamplesLaying out a basic HUDPlacing a 2D game background imageSetting up a basic pop-up menuSummary

Technical requirementsTypes of automatic layout groupsHorizontal Layout GroupVertical Layout GroupGrid Layout GroupLayout ElementIgnore LayoutThe Width and Height propertiesFittersContent Size FitterAspect Ratio FitterExamplesLaying out a HUD selection menuLaying out a grid inventorySummary
Technical requirementsAccessing UI elements in codeUnityEngine.UI namespaceUI variable typesThe Event SystemEvent System ManagerInput ManagerInput functions for buttons and key pressesGetButtonGetAxisGetKeyGetMouseButtonInput ModulesStandalone Input ModuleBaseInputModule/PointerInputModuleInput for multi-touchInput for accelerometer and gyroscopeEvent TriggerEvent typesAdding an action to the eventEvent inputsRaycastersGraphic RaycasterOther RaycastersExamplesShowing and hiding pop-up menus with keypressPausing the gameDragging and dropping inventory itemsPan and zoom with mouse and multi-touch inputSummary
Technical requirementsUI ButtonThe Button componentTransitionsNavigationInvisible button zonesExamplesNavigating through Buttons and using First SelectedLoading scenes with Button pressesButton Animation TransitionsSummary
Technical requirementsUI Text GameObjectThe Text and Character propertiesThe Paragraph propertiesThe Color and Material propertiesThe Raycast and Maskable propertiesText-TextMeshProText Input propertiesMain SettingsExtra SettingsTextMeshPro Project SettingsWorking with fontsImporting new fontsCustom fontsFont assetsExploring the markup formatFont styleFont colorFont sizeUsing style sheetsTranslating textExamplesCreating animated textTranslating the dialogueCustom fontTextMeshPro - Warped Text with GradientSummary
Technical requirementsUI Image component propertiesImage TypeUI effect componentsShadowOutlinePosition As UV1ExamplesHorizontal and circular health/progress metersMute Buttons with sprite swapAdding press-and-hold/long-press functionalityCreating a floating eight-directional virtual analog stickSummary
Technical requirementsUsing masksThe Mask componentRect Mask 2D componentImplementing UI ScrollbarsThe Scrollbar componentImplementing UI Scroll ViewScroll Rect componentExamplesMaking a scroll view from a pre-existing menuSummary
Technical requirementsUsing UI ToggleToggle componentToggle Group componentUI SliderSlider componentUI Dropdown and Dropdown – TextMeshProDropdown TemplateThe Dropdown componentUI Input FieldInput Field componentInput Field - TextMeshProTextMeshPro - Input Field componentExamplesCreating a dropdown menu with imagesSummary
Technical requirementsAnimation ClipsAnimation EventsAnimator ControllerThe Animator of Transition AnimationsAnimator layersSetting Animation Parameters in scriptsAnimator BehavioursAnimating pop-up windows to fade in and outAnimating a complex loot boxSummary
Technical requirementsParticles in the UIExamplesCreating a Particle System that displays in the UISummary
Technical requirementsWhen to use World Space UIAppropriately scaling text in the CanvasOther considerations when working in World SpaceExamples2D World Space status indicators3D hovering health barsSummary
Optimization basicsFrame RateGPU and CPUTools for determining performanceStatistics windowUnity ProfilerUnity Frame DebuggerBasic Unity UI Optimization StrategiesUsing multiple Canvases and Canvas HierarchiesMinimizing the use of Layout GroupsHiding objects appropriatelyAppropriately time object pooling enabling and disablingReducing Raycast computationsSummaryFurther reading
Technical requirementsOverview of UI ToolkitInstalling the UI Toolkit packageParts of the UI Toolkit systemVisual Elements and UI HierarchyCreating UI with the UI BuilderUsing the UI Document componentMaking The UI interactable with C#The UIElements namespacesGetting a reference to UI Documents variablesManaging Visual Element eventsAccessing Visual Element propertiesExamplesUsing the UI Toolkit to make an Editor virtual petResourcesSummary
Technical requirementsIMGUI overviewIMGUI ControlsIMGUI in the InspectorExamplesUsing IMGUI to show framerate in-gameUsing IMGUI to make an Inspector button that imports dataSummary
Technical requirementsInstalling the Input SystemPolling vs subscribingInput System elementsConnecting Actions to codeCreating basic character controller ActionsCreating a basic character controller with the PlayerInput ComponentCreating a basic character controller by referencing Actions in your codeSummary
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Overview

Mastering UI Development with Unity is your comprehensive guide to creating stunning and functional game interfaces. Covering topics like Unity's UI systems, animations, scalability, and optimization, this book equips you to design user interfaces that captivate players and enhance their gaming experience.

What this Book will help me do

Learn design principles to craft appealing and functional UIs.
Master UI scalability across various resolutions and devices.
Automate layout processes for efficient user interface creation.
Incorporate stunning animations and particle effects into your UIs.
Take advantage of Unity's diverse UI frameworks such as uGUI and TextMesh Pro.

Author(s)

Dr. Ashley Godbold is a seasoned game developer and educator who specializes in Unity game design. With years of experience creating engaging user interfaces, Dr. Godbold brings practical expertise and a comprehensive teaching approach to her writing. Her focus on clear examples and manageable steps helps developers of all levels excel.

Who is it for?

This book is ideal for game developers who wish to improve their Unity-based UI designs. It caters to readers with some experience in Unity and C# who aim to create professional and immersive gaming environments. Whether you're learning to create complete UI systems or mastering specific components, this book offers clear guidance.