Hello! In this course, we will learn the basics of Unity and dive into how to extract the build files, which are the final products of game development, and actually play them. Most Unity users want to create amazing games, but they may find this process complicated due to various settings and procedures. But don’t worry! This course is designed to explain everything step by step, starting from the very basics.
1. What is Unity?
Unity is an integrated development environment (IDE) for developing games and simulation content, used to create 2D and 3D games, as well as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content. Unity is a preferred platform for many developers and companies due to its ease of use coupled with powerful features. Notably, Unity is designed with distribution across various platforms in mind, allowing developers to release games for different devices such as PCs, mobile, and consoles.
2. Installing Unity
To use Unity, you first need to download an installer called Unity Hub. Unity Hub is a utility that helps manage various versions of Unity and projects easily.
2.1 Installation Process
- Visit the official Unity website and download Unity Hub.
- Run the downloaded file to install it.
- After launching Unity Hub, select and install your desired version of Unity.
2.2 Installing Additional Modules
For game development, you may need to install additional modules tailored for specific platforms. For example, if you want a build for Android or iOS, you need to select and install the corresponding building modules.
3. Creating a Unity Project
Once Unity Hub is installed, let’s create a new project.
3.1 Project Creation Process
- Click the “New” button on Unity Hub.
- Enter a name for the project and specify a save path.
- Select a template, either 2D or 3D.
- Click the “Create” button to generate the project.
3.2 Introduction to the Editor Interface
The Unity editor is divided into several tabs. It is important to understand the role of each tab so you can effectively utilize the desired features.
- Hierarchy: Lists all objects in the current scene.
- Scene View: A space to visually arrange game objects.
- Game View: A window where you can preview how the actual game will look.
- Inspector: A place to edit the properties of the selected object.
- Project: Manages all files and resources within the project.
4. Creating Basic Game Objects
Now, let’s create a simple game object.
4.1 Adding an Object
- Right-click in the Hierarchy window and select “3D Object” > “Cube” to create a cube-shaped object.
- Adjust the Transform properties of the cube in the Inspector window to set its position and size.
4.2 Setting Up the Environment
Let’s add other objects to compose the game. You can add a Plane to create a floor for the cube. Follow these steps:
- Right-click in the Hierarchy window and select “3D Object” > “Plane”.
- Adjust the size and position of the Plane so that it serves as the floor of the game.
5. Adding Scripts
You can add scripts in Unity to give actions to objects. You will write the scripts using the C# language.
5.1 Writing a Basic Script
- Right-click in the Project window and choose “Create” > “C# Script” to create a script.
- Name the script and double-click it to open it in the editor.
- Let’s write a simple script as shown below.
using UnityEngine;
public class MoveCube : MonoBehaviour
{
void Update()
{
transform.Translate(Vector3.right * Time.deltaTime);
}
}
5.2 Applying the Script
Now, let’s apply the script we created to the cube object.
- Select the cube object and drag and drop the script into the Inspector window to add it.
- Play the game to confirm that the cube moves to the right.
6. Setting Up the Build
Once all settings are complete, let’s build the game and convert it into an executable file.
6.1 Opening the Build Settings Window
- Select “File” > “Build Settings…” from the top menu.
- Select the platform you want to build for. By default, PC, Mac & Linux Standalone may be selected.
- After selecting, click the “Switch Platform” button to change to that platform.
6.2 Including Scenes
In the section for selecting scenes to build, the current working scene must be included in the Included Scenes list. To do this:
- Select “File” > “Save Scene” in the current scene to save it.
- Click the “Add Open Scenes” button to include the scene.
6.3 Building
- In the Build Settings window, click the “Build” button.
- Select a location to save and generate the build file.
7. Running the Build File
Once the build is complete, the executable file will be created in the specified location. You can now execute this file to play the game you created. Make sure the game runs smoothly!
8. Conclusion
Congratulations! Through this Unity basics course, you have learned how to create a simple game and how to create build files. This process is just the beginning of your journey with Unity. Explore a variety of features and techniques, and work on more projects to experience the allure of Unity.
Additionally, by utilizing Unity’s official documentation and community forums for self-study, you can challenge yourself to higher levels of game development. Turn your creative ideas into reality through Unity development!
Thank you!