book

Unity 5.x Cookbook

Name: Unity 5.x Cookbook
ISBN: 9781784391362

by Matt Smith, Chico Queiroz

October 2015

Intermediate to advanced

570 pages

12h 33m

English

Packt Publishing

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Unity 5.x Cookbook
Table of Contents
Unity 5.x Cookbook
Credits
Foreword
About the Authors
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
Sections
Getting readyHow to do it…How it works…There's more…See also
Conventions
Reader feedback
Customer support
Downloading the example codes and color imagesErrataPiracyQuestions
1. Core UI – Messages, Menus, Scores, and Timers
IntroductionThe big picture
Displaying a "Hello World" UI text message
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Styling substrings with Rich Text
Displaying a digital clock
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...The Unity tutorial for animating an analogue clock
Displaying a digital countdown timer
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Creating a message that fades away
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying a perspective 3D text message
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...We have to make this text crawl like it does in the movieWhere to learn more
Displaying an image
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Working with Sprites and UI Image componentsSee also
Creating UI Buttons to move between scenes
How to do it...How it works...There's more...Visual animation for the button mouse-overAnimating button properties on mouse over
Organizing images inside panels and changing panel depths via buttons
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Moving up or down by just one position, using scripted methods
Displaying the value of an interactive UI Slider
How to do it...How it works...
Displaying a countdown timer graphically with a UI Slider
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying a radar to indicate the relative locations of objects
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...The Start() methodThe Update() methodThe FindAndDisplayBlipsForTag(…) methodThe NormalisedPosition(…) methodThe CalculateBlipPosition(…) methodThe DrawBlip() method
Creating UIs with the Fungus open-source dialog system
How to do it...How it works...
Setting custom mouse cursor images
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Custom cursors for mouse over UI controls
Input Fields component for text entry
How to do it...How it works...There's more...Executing a C# method to respond each time the user changes the input text content
Toggles and radio buttons via Toggle Groups
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Adding more Toggles and a Toggle Group to implement mutually-exclusive radio buttons
Conclusion
2. Inventory GUIs
IntroductionThe big picture
Creating a simple 2D mini-game – SpaceGirl
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying single object pickups with carrying and not-carrying text
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...The separation of view logic
Displaying single object pickups with carrying and not-carrying icons
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying multiple pickups of the same object with text totals
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying multiple pickups of the same object with multiple status icons
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Revealing icons for multiple object pickups by changing the size of a tiled image
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Displaying multiple pickups of different objects as a list of text via a dynamic List<> of PickUp objects
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Order items in the inventory list alphabetically
Displaying multiple pickups of different objects as text totals via a dynamic Dictionary<> of PickUp objects and "enum" pickup types
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Generalizing multiple icon displays using UI Grid Layout Groups (with scrollbars!)
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Add a horizontal scrollbar to the inventory slot displayThe automation of PlayerInventoryDisplay getting references to all the slotsAutomatically changing the grid cell size based on the number of slots in inventoryAdd some help methods to the Rect Transform script class
Conclusion
3. 2D Animation
IntroductionThe big picture
Flipping a sprite horizontally
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Animating body parts for character movement events
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Creating a 3-frame animation clip to make a platform continually animate
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Making a platform start falling once stepped-on using a Trigger to move animation from one state to another
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Creating animation clips from sprite sheet sequences
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Conclusion
4. Creating Maps and Materials
IntroductionCreating and saving texture mapsThe big pictureSpecular workflowThe metallic workflowOther material propertiesUnity samples and documentation
Creating a basic material with Standard Shader (Specular setup)
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Setting the texture type for an image fileCombining the map with color
Adapting a basic material from Specular setup to Metallic
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Applying Normal maps to a material
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Adding Transparency and Emission maps to a material
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Using texture maps with Transparent ModeAvoiding issues with the semi-transparent objectsEmitting light over other objects
Highlighting materials at mouse over
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Adding Detail maps to a material
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Fading the transparency of a material
How to do it...How it works...There's more...
Playing videos inside a scene
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Conclusion
ResourcesReferencesTools
5. Using Cameras
IntroductionThe big picture
Creating a picture-in-picture effect
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Making the picture-in-picture proportional to the screen's sizeChanging the position of the picture-in-picturePreventing the picture-in-picture from updating on every frameSee also
Switching between multiple cameras
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Using a single-enabled cameraTriggering the switch from other eventsSee also
Making textures from screen content
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Applying your texture to a materialUsing your texture as a screenshotSee also
Zooming a telescopic camera
Getting ready...How to do it...How it works...There's more...
Displaying a mini-map
Getting ready...How to do it...How it works...There's more...Covering a wider or narrower areaChanging the map's orientationAdapting your mini-map to other styles
Creating an in-game surveillance camera
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
6. Lights and Effects
IntroductionThe big pictureLightsEnvironment LightingEmissive materialsProjectorLightmaps and Light ProbesThe Lighting window
Using lights and cookie textures to simulate a cloudy day
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Creating Spot Light cookiesCreating Point Light Cookies
Adding a custom Reflection map to a scene
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Mapping coordinatesSharp reflectionsMaximum size
Creating a laser aim with Projector and Line Renderer
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Reflecting surrounding objects with Reflection Probes
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Setting up an environment with Procedural Skybox and Directional Light
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Lighting a simple scene with Lightmaps and Light Probes
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Conclusion
7. Controlling 3D Animations
IntroductionThe big picture
Configuring a character's Avatar and idle animation
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Moving your character with root motion and Blend Trees
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Mixing animations with Layers and Masks
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Organizing States into Sub-state Machines
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Transforming the Character Controller via script
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Adding rigid props to animated characters
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Using Animation Events to throw an object
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Applying Ragdoll physics to a character
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Rotating the character's torso to aim a weapon
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
8. Positions, Movement and Navigation for Character GameObjects
IntroductionThe big picture
Player control of a 2D GameObject (and limiting the movement within a rectangle)
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
Player control of a 3D GameObject (and limiting the movement within a rectangle)
How to do it...How it works...
Choosing destinations – find the nearest (or a random) spawn point
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Choosing the nearest spawn pointAvoiding errors due to an empty arraySee also
Choosing destinations – respawn to the most recently passed checkpoint
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
NPC NavMeshAgent to seek or flee destination while avoiding obstacles
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Constantly updating the NavMeshAgent destination to Player's character current locationConstantly update NavMeshAgent destination to flee away from Player's character current locationCreate a mini point-and-click game
NPC NavMeshAgent to follow the waypoints in a sequence
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...More efficient to avoid using NavMeshes for waypointsWorking with arrays of waypointsIncreased flexibility with a WayPoint class
Controlling the object group movement through flocking
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Learn more about flocking Artificial Intelligence
Conclusion
9. Playing and Manipulating Sounds
IntroductionThe big picture
Matching the audio pitch to the animation speed
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Changing the Animation/Sound RatioAccessing the function from other scripts
Simulating acoustic environments with Reverb Zones
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Attaching the Audio Reverb Zone component to Audio SourcesMaking your own Reverb settings
Preventing an Audio Clip from restarting if it is already playing
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
Waiting for audio to finish playing before auto-destructing an object
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
Adding volume control with Audio Mixers
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Playing with Audio ProductionSee also
Making a dynamic soundtrack with Snapshots
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Reducing the need for multiple audio clipsDealing with audio file formats and compression ratesApplying Snapshots to background noiseGetting creative with effectsSee also
Balancing in-game audio with Ducking
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
10. Working with External Resource Files and Devices
IntroductionThe big picture
Loading external resource files – using Unity Default Resources
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Loading text files with this methodLoading and playing audio files with this methodSee also
Loading external resource files – by downloading files from the Internet
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Converting from Texture to SpriteDownloading a text file from the WebThe WWW class and the resource contentsSee also
Loading external resource files – by manually storing files in the Unity Resources folder
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Avoiding cross-platform problems with Path.Combine() rather than "/" or "\"See also
Saving and loading player data – using static properties
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Hiding the score before the first attempt completedSee also
Saving and loading player data – using PlayerPrefs
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
Saving screenshots from the game
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...
Setting up a leaderboard using PHP/MySQL
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Extracting the full leaderboard data as XML for display within UnityUsing the secret game codes to secure your leaderboard scriptsSee also
Loading game data from a text file map
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Managing Unity project code using Git version control and GitHub hosting
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Learn more about Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS)Using Bitbucket and SourceTreeUsing the command line rather than Git-client applicationSee also
Publishing for multiple devices via Unity Cloud
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Learn more about Unity CloudSee also
11. Improving Games with Extra Features and Optimization
IntroductionThe big picture
Pausing the game
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Learning more about QualitySettingsSee also
Implementing slow motion
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Customizing the sliderAdding Motion BlurCreating sonic ambienceSee also
Preventing your game from running on unknown servers
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Improving security by using full URLs in your domain listAllowing redistribution with more domains
State-driven behavior Do-It-Yourself states
How to do it...How it works...See also
State-driven behavior using the State Design pattern
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Reducing the number of objects by destroying objects at death a time
How to do it...How it works...See also
Reducing the number of enabled objects by disabling objects whenever possible
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Note – viewable in Scene panel still counts as visible!Another common case – only enable after OnTrigger()See also
Reducing the number of active objects by making objects inactive whenever possible
How to do it...How it works...See also
Improving efficiency with delegates and events and avoiding SendMessage!
How to do it...How it works...See also
Executing methods regularly but independent of frame rate with coroutines
How to do it...How it works...There's more...Have different actions happening at different intervalsSee also
Spreading long computations over several frames with coroutines
How to do it...How it works...There's more...Retrieving the complete Unity log text files from your systemSee also
Evaluating performance by measuring max and min frame rates (FPS)
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Turn off runtime display to reduce FPS processingSee also
Identifying performance bottlenecks with the Unity performance Profiler
How to do it...How it works...See also
Identifying performance "bottlenecks" with Do-It-Yourself performance profiling
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...See also
Cache GameObject and component references to avoid expensive lookups
Getting readyHow to do it...Method 1 – AverageDistance calculationMethod 2 – Cache array of Respawn object transformsMethod 3 – Cache reference to Player transformMethod 4 – Cache Player's Vector3 positionMethod 5 – Cache reference to SimpleMath componentMethod 6 – Cache array of sphere Vector3 positionsHow it works...See also
Improving performance with LOD groups
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Adding more LOD renderersFading LOD transitionsSee also
Improving performance through reduced draw calls by designing for draw call batching
How to do it...Static batchingDynamic batchingThere's more...Reduce the need for textures by vertex paintingInformation sources about reducing textures and materialsSee also
Conclusion
There's more...Game audio optimizationPhysics engine optimizationMore tips for improving script efficiencySources of more wisdom about optimizationPublished articles that discuss premature optimizationSources of more about Game Managers and the State Pattern
12. Editor Extensions
Introduction
An editor extension to allow pickup type (and parameters) to be changed at design time via a custom Inspector UI
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Offer the custom editing of pickup parameters via InspectorOffer a drop-down list of tags for key-pickup to fit via InspectorLogic to open doors with keys based on fitsLockTagThe need to add [SerializeField] for private propertiesLearn more from the Unity documentation
An editor extension to add 100 randomly located copies of a prefab with one menu click
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...There's more...Child each new GameObject to a single parent, to avoid filling up the Hierarchy with 100s of new objects
A progress bar to display proportion completed of Editor extension processing
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
An editor extension to have an object-creator GameObject, with buttons to instantiate different pickups at cross-hair object location in scene
Getting readyHow to do it...How it works...
Conclusion
Index

Content preview from Unity 5.x Cookbook

Adding volume control with Audio Mixers

Sound volume adjustment can be a very important feature, especially if your game is a standalone. After all, it can be very frustrating to access the operational system volume control. In this recipe, we will use the new Audio Mixer feature to create independent volume controls for Music and Sound FX.

Getting ready

For this recipe, we have provided a Unity package named Volume.unitypackage, containing an initial scene featuring soundtrack music and sound effects. The file is available inside the 1362_09_05 folder.

How to do it...

To add volume control sliders to your scene, follow these steps:

Import Volume.unitypackage into your project.
Open the Volume scene (available in the Assets | Volume folder). Play the ...

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