Learn everything you need to know to use the powerful Unity engine to its full potential for 3D and 2D game development, simulation, artificial intelligence, and beyond. From the basics of scripting to techniques for interactivity, AI and behavior, animation, narrative, and networking, this flexible, mind-bogglingly popular engine is useful for anything that needs visuals and real-time simulation.
With this thoroughly updated problem-solving cookbook, beginner and intermediate Unity developers will learn about the Unity engine through brief recipes that teach specific features of the software and scripting systems. You'll apply a collection of snippets of code to address common scenarios such as properly keeping score, accepting input, and sharing state over the network.
This cookbook pinpoints the problem, sets out the solution, and discusses how to solve your problem in the best and most straightforward way possible. You'll find solutions for:
• 2D and 3D graphics
• Math, physics, and character control
• Animation and movement
• Behavior and AI
• Sound and music
• Narrative and dialogue
• Input and gameplay
• Scripting and user interface
• Simulation and synthetic data creation
• Networking and accessing web content
• Analytics and telemetry
Author(s): Paris Buttfield-Addison, Jon Manning, Tim Nugent
Edition: 1
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Year: 2023
Language: English
Commentary: Publisher's PDF
Pages: 430
City: Sebastopol, CA
Tags: Artificial Intelligence; C#; Unity; User Interface; Game Development; Physics; Music; Scripting; 2D Graphics; 3D Graphics; Sound; Simulations
Cover
Copyright
Table of Contents
Preface
Audience and Approach
Organization of This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
Using Code Examples
O’Reilly Online Learning
How to Contact Us
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Working in Unity
1.1 Getting Around in Unity
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.2 Working with Game Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.3 Working with Components
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.4 Working with Prefabs
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.5 Working with Scenes
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.6 Managing Assets
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.7 Building Unity Projects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.8 Accessing Preferences
Problem
Solution
Discussion
1.9 Installing Unity Packages
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 2. Scripting
2.1 Adding a Script to an Object in a Unity Scene
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.2 Running Code at Specific Times in a Script’s (or Game Object’s) Life
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.3 Creating Frame Rate–Independent Behavior
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.4 Using the Components of a Game Object
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.5 Finding Objects Attached to a Game Object
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.6 Singletons
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.7 Using Coroutines to Manage When Code Runs
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.8 Managing Objects Using an Object Pool
Problem
Solution
Discussion
2.9 Storing Data in Assets Using ScriptableObject
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 3. Input
3.1 Getting Simple Keyboard Input
Problem
Solution
Discussion
3.2 Using the Unity Input System
Problem
Solution
Discussion
3.3 Using Input Actions
Problem
Solution
Discussion
3.4 Locking and Hiding the Mouse Cursor
Problem
Solution
Discussion
3.5 Responding to Mouseover and Click Events
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 4. Mathematics
4.1 Storing Coordinates of Varying Dimensions Using Vectors
Problem
Solution
Discussion
4.2 Rotating in 3D Space
Problem
Solution
Discussion
4.3 Performing Transformations in 3D Space with Matrices
Problem
Solution
Discussion
4.4 Working with Angles
Problem
Solution
Discussion
4.5 Finding the Distance to a Target
Problem
Solution
Discussion
4.6 Finding the Angle to a Target
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 5. 2D Graphics
5.1 Importing Images as Sprites
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.2 Adding a Sprite to the Scene
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.3 Creating a Sprite Animation
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.4 Creating a Sprite with 2D Physics
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.5 Customizing Sprite Collision Shapes
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.6 Using a Composite Collider
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.7 Using the Sprite Packer
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.8 Applying Forces to 2D Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.9 Creating a Conveyor Belt
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.10 Using a Custom Material for Sprites
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.11 Managing Sprite Sorting
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.12 Using Sorting Groups
Problem
Solution
Discussion
5.13 Creating a 2.5D Scene
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 6. 3D Graphics
6.1 Creating a Simple Material
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.2 Controlling a Material’s Property Through a Script
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.3 Creating an Unlit Material
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.4 Setting Up a Material Using Textures
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.5 Making a Material Use a Shader
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.6 Setting Up a Bloom Effect Using Post-Processing with the Built-In Render Pipeline
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.7 Setting Up a Bloom Effect Using Post-Processing with the Universal Render Pipeline
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.8 Using High-Dynamic-Range Colors
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.9 Setting Up a Project to Use a Scriptable Render Pipeline
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.10 Creating a Shader Using the Shader Graph
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.11 Creating a Glowing Effect Using the Shader Graph
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.12 Exposing Properties from a Shader Graph
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.13 Animating a Shader over Time
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.14 Controlling the Speed of an Animated Shader
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.15 Using a Subgraph to Reuse Graph Components
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.16 Implementing a Dissolve Effect Using a Shader Graph
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.17 Using Baked Lighting and Real-Time Lighting
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.18 Using Baked Emission Sources
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.19 Making Static Objects Cast Shadows on Dynamic Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.20 Using Light Probes to Influence Lighting
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.21 Using Reflection Probes
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.22 Faking a Dynamic Emissive Object
Problem
Solution
Discussion
6.23 Rendering to a Texture
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 7. 3D Physics and Character Control
7.1 Running Code a Specific Number of Times per Second
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.2 Allowing the Player to Look Around Using the Mouse
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.3 Controlling a 3D Character
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.4 Interacting with Switches and Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.5 Picking Up and Putting Down Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.6 Detecting When an Object Is Touching Another Object
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.7 Detecting When an Object Is in a Trigger Area
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.8 Implementing Moving Platforms
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.9 Implementing Platform Riding
Problem
Solution
Discussion
7.10 Responding to Being Pushed by Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 8. Animation and Movement
8.1 Animating an Object
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.2 Basic Character Movement
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.3 Inverse Kinematics
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.4 Masked Movement
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.5 Blended Movement
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.6 Navigation and Animating in Sync
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.7 Cinematic Camera Tracking
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.8 Automatically Switching Cameras
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.9 Keeping Multiple Objects in View
Problem
Solution
Discussion
8.10 Dollying a Camera
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 9. Logic and Gameplay
9.1 Loading a New Scene File
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.2 Managing Hit Points
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.3 Creating a Top-Down Camera
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.4 Managing Quests
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.5 Dragging a Box to Select Objects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.6 Creating a Menu Structure
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.7 Creating a Wheeled Vehicle
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.8 Keeping a Car from Tipping Over
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.9 Creating Speed Boosts
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.10 Creating a Camera That Orbits Around Its Target
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.11 Creating an Orbiting Camera That Won’t Clip Through Walls
Problem
Solution
Discussion
9.12 Detecting When the Player Has Completed a Lap
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 10. Behavior, Simulation, and AI
10.1 Enemies Detecting When They Can See the Player
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.2 Defining a Path That AI Entities and the Player Can Follow
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.3 Letting Entities in Your Game Follow a Path
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.4 Finding a Good Distribution of Random Points (Poisson Disc)
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.5 Enemies Detecting Where They Can Take Cover
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.6 Building and Using a State Machine
Problem
Solution
Discussion
10.7 Building a Simulation Environment for Machine Learning
Problem
Solution
Chapter 11. Sound and Music
11.1 Playing Sounds
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.2 Setting Up a Mixer
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.3 Using Audio Effects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.4 Using Send and Receive Effects
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.5 Ducking
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.6 Using Multiple Audio Zones
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.7 Playing Audio with Scripts
Problem
Solution
Discussion
11.8 Using a Sound Manager
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 12. User Interface
12.1 Working with UI Controls
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.2 Theming Controls
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.3 Animating the UI
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.4 Creating a List of Items
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.5 Fading Out List Items
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.6 Creating Onscreen Position Indicators
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.7 Custom Editors
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.8 Property Drawers
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.9 Attribute Drawers
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.10 Asset Processing
Problem
Solution
Discussion
12.11 Wizards
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Chapter 13. Files, Networking, and Screenshots
13.1 Saving Files
Problem
Solution
Discussion
13.2 Saving an Image File of Your Game to Disk
Problem
Solution
Discussion
13.3 Loading Textures from Disk
Problem
Solution
Discussion
13.4 Saving and Loading a Game’s State
Problem
Solution
Discussion
13.5 Downloading and Parsing JSON from the Web
Problem
Solution
Discussion
13.6 Scripted Importers
Problem
Solution
Discussion
Index
About the Authors
