Video Game Design/Developers

Exercise 1

Rube Goldberg/Dominoes Assignment

In this lesson students will build a Rube Goldberg/dominoes falling over thing. Have the final step actually do something.  Examples: open a curtain to show a picture, turn a page of a book, pour water in a glass or some equally simple task.  Students need to use their imaginations and/or ideas from the examples below. Some of the examples are pretty 2D. Students can do the same or expand it into 3D. Be sure to use the camera on a track to have the camera move through the world. 

Here are some ideas.  #4 is fascinating but it would take some major time and effort to build a world like that.

1. Build something like this https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk

2. Some good ideas here.  https://youtu.be/ntWRTjSl3BI

3. Too simple and horrible camera work but still some ideas.  https://youtu.be/QhIkL3sq36Y

4. Fascinating.  https://youtu.be/MAe61rsXJRk

5. Interesting textures.  https://youtu.be/Ngfus6TdT8w

Requirements:

1. At least two levels (planes).  A ball or domino will fall from a higher to a lower level and hit something on the lower level to continue the process.

2. At least 5 dominoes knocking each other over.

3. Ball (or something) flips at least one teeter totter.

4. All objects have a color or texture.

5. Camera follows the action.

6. At least one spinning object.

7. At least one swinging thing on a chain.

8. At least one set of hinged objects like hanging panels.  https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk .

9. A simple final task at the end.  Examples of a simple task are:  turn a page in a book, put bread in a toaster, turn on a light switch, open a curtain to show a picture, and so on.  Get clever.

Grading:

1. 10 pts for each requirement. (90 possible)

2. 5 - Assets are organized in folders.

3. 10 - All requirements are met.

4. 0-10 - Is cool.  This is a bit subjective.

Total possible points possible 115.

Notes:

Install Unity Hub and Unity version

The first time takes some careful reading.  First Unity Hub needs to be installed.  The actual Unity application is installed through the Hub.  Installation will require the acquisition of a free license.  If using BYOD work through this with the class.  It is best if the teacher has a computer that has never had Unity installed on it.  Use one of the student's computers.  Install at least a 2019 version.  Versions 2020, 2021 and 2022 may have some updates that can make tutorials unreliable.  Do not be deterred by this, students learn more when things do not go smoothly.

Create a new project

In Unity Hub create a new 3D project.  It is very important at this point to discuss the file location of the new project.  The students need to understand the importance of creating a new project file folder and to know where it is located.  The project folder cannot be created on Google Drive so it is important to demonstrate a backup method.  This can be done by Zipping the project folder and storing that on Google Drive.  This would be a good time to discuss project versioning and creating their own versioning system.  It is very important at this point to explain that they need to make a copy of the project, rename it with a new version number, before they start the day's work.  If something goes wrong they then have the previous day's version as backup.

Familiarize with Unity GUI

Do a show and tell with the class.  Point out the main windows: Scene, Game, Hierarchy, Project and Inspector.  Discuss alternate Layouts and how to move and park windows.

Build primitives

Demonstrate where primates are found (GameObject > 3D Object or right-click in Hierarchy) and how to place them in the scene.  At this point show how to use the widgets in the upper left to move, rotate, resize, etc. and show how to use the qwerty shortcut keys.  Discuss the list of primitives.  Use reshaped cubes for the dominoes and ramps for the ball (sphere) to roll down.  Either a plane or a flattened cube will work for the platforms to build the levels on.  If the dominoes do not fall over easily, make them thinner.

Use Physics

In order for objects to react to gravity (balls roll down ramps, dominoes fall over, etc.) the object must have a Rigidbody.  In the Inspector window select Add Component at the bottom.  Type "rig" in the search field.  Rigidbody will appear in the dropdown.  Select it (do not use 2D unless building in 2D).  Examine the options in the Rigidbody Inspector.  Changing the Mass can have an effect on how objects behave.

Construct monochrome color materials

Make a Materials folder in Assets.  Right click on the materials folder.  Create > Material.  Give the New Material the name of the color.  Select the white rectangle next to "Albedo" in the Inspector window.  A color wheel should appear.  Select a color using the color circle and tint square.  Drag and drop the color material onto the Object to be that color.

Import materials from Unity Asset Store

Go to the Unity Asset Store tab.  If the tab is not there go to Window > Asset Store.  Search for "Yughues Free".  This is a huge number of free textures.  Look through the free assets and download and import the desired asset.  Use a lot of trial and error to find the best texture.  Drag and drop it onto an object in the Scene or Hierarchy.

Camera follows the ball

If we do not make the camera follow the ball the scene is over pretty quick.  The solution to this used to require a C# script to manage the camera and to do anything like switching between multiple cameras could be confusing.  The introduction of Unity Cinemachine has made complex camera movement comparatively simple.  Here is a short YouTube video on how to build camera tracks and camera transitions. https://youtu.be/Reh2kGwwFHs.  This video introduces both Cinemachine and Timeline.  Working together they can make professional looking camera movements and transitions easily.

Using Joints to make hinges, springs and chains 

Joints lock objects together, make swinging gates, water wheels, chains, ropes, and other spinning objects.  Here are a number of videos with instructions on how to use the various joint types.

https://youtu.be/MElbAwhMvTc - all joints

https://youtu.be/f4xikqJdkwM - all joints

https://youtu.be/GB8BdFjX8vM - all joints

https://youtu.be/PeFIqErdDoM - Rope bridge and wrecking ball

Exercise 1

Rube Goldberg/Dominoes Assignment

In this lesson students will build a Rube Goldberg/dominoes falling over thing. Have the final step actually do something.  Examples: open a curtain to show a picture, turn a page of a book, pour water in a glass or some equally simple task.  Students need to use their imaginations and/or ideas from the examples below. Some of the examples are pretty 2D. Students can do the same or expand it into 3D. Be sure to use the camera on a track to have the camera move through the world. 

Here are some ideas.  #4 is fascinating but it would take some major time and effort to build a world like that.

1. Build something like this https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk

2. Some good ideas here.  https://youtu.be/ntWRTjSl3BI

3. Too simple and horrible camera work but still some ideas.  https://youtu.be/QhIkL3sq36Y

4. Fascinating.  https://youtu.be/MAe61rsXJRk

5. Interesting textures.  https://youtu.be/Ngfus6TdT8w

Requirements:

1. At least two levels (planes).  A ball or domino will fall from a higher to a lower level and hit something on the lower level to continue the process.

2. At least 5 dominoes knocking each other over.

3. Ball (or something) flips at least one teeter totter.

4. All objects have a color or texture.

5. Camera follows the action.

6. At least one spinning object.

7. At least one swinging thing on a chain.

8. At least one set of hinged objects like hanging panels.  https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk .

9. A simple final task at the end.  Examples of a simple task are:  turn a page in a book, put bread in a toaster, turn on a light switch, open a curtain to show a picture, and so on.  Get clever.

Grading:

1. 10 pts for each requirement. (90 possible)

2. 5 - Assets are organized in folders.

3. 10 - All requirements are met.

4. 0-10 - Is cool.  This is a bit subjective.

Total possible points possible 115.

Notes:

Install Unity Hub and Unity version

The first time takes some careful reading.  First Unity Hub needs to be installed.  The actual Unity application is installed through the Hub.  Installation will require the acquisition of a free license.  If using BYOD work through this with the class.  It is best if the teacher has a computer that has never had Unity installed on it.  Use one of the student's computers.  Install at least a 2019 version.  Versions 2020, 2021 and 2022 may have some updates that can make tutorials unreliable.  Do not be deterred by this, students learn more when things do not go smoothly.

Create a new project

In Unity Hub create a new 3D project.  It is very important at this point to discuss the file location of the new project.  The students need to understand the importance of creating a new project file folder and to know where it is located.  The project folder cannot be created on Google Drive so it is important to demonstrate a backup method.  This can be done by Zipping the project folder and storing that on Google Drive.  This would be a good time to discuss project versioning and creating their own versioning system.  It is very important at this point to explain that they need to make a copy of the project, rename it with a new version number, before they start the day's work.  If something goes wrong they then have the previous day's version as backup.

Familiarize with Unity GUI

Do a show and tell with the class.  Point out the main windows: Scene, Game, Hierarchy, Project and Inspector.  Discuss alternate Layouts and how to move and park windows.

Build primitives

Demonstrate where primates are found (GameObject > 3D Object or right-click in Hierarchy) and how to place them in the scene.  At this point show how to use the widgets in the upper left to move, rotate, resize, etc. and show how to use the qwerty shortcut keys.  Discuss the list of primitives.  Use reshaped cubes for the dominoes and ramps for the ball (sphere) to roll down.  Either a plane or a flattened cube will work for the platforms to build the levels on.  If the dominoes do not fall over easily, make them thinner.

Use Physics

In order for objects to react to gravity (balls roll down ramps, dominoes fall over, etc.) the object must have a Rigidbody.  In the Inspector window select Add Component at the bottom.  Type "rig" in the search field.  Rigidbody will appear in the dropdown.  Select it (do not use 2D unless building in 2D).  Examine the options in the Rigidbody Inspector.  Changing the Mass can have an effect on how objects behave.

Construct monochrome color materials

Make a Materials folder in Assets.  Right click on the materials folder.  Create > Material.  Give the New Material the name of the color.  Select the white rectangle next to "Albedo" in the Inspector window.  A color wheel should appear.  Select a color using the color circle and tint square.  Drag and drop the color material onto the Object to be that color.

Import materials from Unity Asset Store

Go to the Unity Asset Store tab.  If the tab is not there go to Window > Asset Store.  Search for "Yughues Free".  This is a huge number of free textures.  Look through the free assets and download and import the desired asset.  Use a lot of trial and error to find the best texture.  Drag and drop it onto an object in the Scene or Hierarchy.

Camera follows the ball

If we do not make the camera follow the ball the scene is over pretty quick.  The solution to this used to require a C# script to manage the camera and to do anything like switching between multiple cameras could be confusing.  The introduction of Unity Cinemachine has made complex camera movement comparatively simple.  Here is a short YouTube video on how to build camera tracks and camera transitions. https://youtu.be/Reh2kGwwFHs.  This video introduces both Cinemachine and Timeline.  Working together they can make professional looking camera movements and transitions easily.

Using Joints to make hinges, springs and chains 

Joints lock objects together, make swinging gates, water wheels, chains, ropes, and other spinning objects.  Here are a number of videos with instructions on how to use the various joint types.

https://youtu.be/MElbAwhMvTc - all joints

https://youtu.be/f4xikqJdkwM - all joints

https://youtu.be/GB8BdFjX8vM - all joints

https://youtu.be/PeFIqErdDoM - Rope bridge and wrecking ball

Cinemachine Camera Follow

Method 1

This is the short way to get the camera to follow an object.  This method will keep the camera in a fixed position in relation to the moving object.  This method does not allow you to control the path of the camera, the speed of the camera or have multiple cameras with transitions.

1. Get Cinemachine

1. Window > Package Manager

2. In the upper left corner in the Packages dropdown select Unity Registry, find Cinemachine and Install.

3. Depending on the version of Unity there will be a new menu item at the top menu bar labeled Cinemachine or under the GameObject menu there will be Cinemachine.

2. Go to the Cinemachine menu and install a Virtual Camera.

3. In the Hierarchy select the virtual camera "CM vcam1".

4. In the Inspector drag and drop from the Hierarchy the object you want to follow into the "Follow" and "Look At" fields.  

5. While still in the Inspector for the CM vcam1, open the Body property.  Be sure Body is set to Transposer.  

6. Change the Binding Mode to "Lock To Target On Assign".

7. Position the CM vcam1 to a view that works for your project.  Now when you run the game the camera should follow and stay focused on the moving object.

The following method allows you to control the path of the camera, the speed of the camera and have multiple cameras with transitions.

Method 2:  Cinemachine Dolly Track

This method does allow you to control the path of the camera, the speed of the camera and have multiple cameras with transitions.

This text was edited from this video: https://youtu.be/Reh2kGwwFHs

1. Get Cinemachine

1. Window > Package Manager

2. In the upper left corner in Packages dropdown select Unity Registry, find Cinemachine and Install.

3. Depending on the version of Unity there will be a new menu item at the top  labeled Cinemachine or under the GameObject menu there will be a Cinemachine item.

2. Build track

1. Cinemachine > Dolly Camera with Track.  This will place a track on the scene. Select Dolly Track1 in the Hierarchy.  This will show the track with two endpoints, 0 and 1.  You should also have a red icon next to your main camera.  This is the Cinemachine brain.

2. Select Dolly Track1 in the Hierarchy.  Drag the whole track so point 0 is at your desired start for the camera.

3. Keeping Dolly Track1 selected look in the Inspector.  In Waypoints click the small "+" to add waypoints.  The waypoints can be dragged individually to shape the track.  The whole path can be moved by using the original widget.

3. Create a timeline to control the speed of the camera.

1. Window > Sequencing > Timeline.  This will create a new tab.  Drag and drop the Timeline tab some place convenient.  You will need to see this window.

2. Create an empty game object in the Hierarchy.  Rename it Timeline.

3. With Timeline selected in the Hierarchy click the Create button in the Timeline window.  A widow will appear to Save the Timeline.  Save it in Assets.

4. The new Timeline window will now have a left section and a timeline.

5. In the Timeline window click the lock icon in the upper right.  This will keep the Timeline window open.

6. Drag the virtual camera CM vcam1 on to the left section of the Timeline window.  A small window will open.  Add Animation Track.

7. Drag the main camera on to the left section of the Timeline window.  A small window will open.  Add Cinemachine Track.

8. The CM vcam animation track tells the camera where to move.  The Main Camera track tells which camera to use.

9. Select the DollyTrack1 and see how many waypoints there are.  Notice they are numbered for example 0 - 3, which is 4 waypoints.  We will want to get to waypoint 3 in our animation.

10. Select the virtual camera CM vcam1 in the Hierarchy.. Select the red Record button in the CM vcam1 track in the Timeline window.

11. In the Inspector open the Body attribute and right click on the Path Position label and select Add Key.  A small diamond will appear on the CM vcam1 animation track.

12. Move the scrubber along (the white line in the Timeline section of the Timeline window) to an appropriate location.  The scrubber determines how fast the camera will move along the path.  In the Inspector change the number in Path Position to 3 as that is the maximum path.  Stop recording.  Scrub along the timeline to see the camera move along the dolly track.

13. Right click on the Main Camera track and add a Cinemachine Shot.  Position this to line up with the left animation diamond.  Hover over the right end of the shot and right click to shrink or expand the shot to line up with the right animation diamond.

14. With the Main Camera (Cinemachine) track still selected, in the Inspector drag and drop CMvcam1 into Virtual Camera.  (Or click the small target symbol by Virtual Camera and select CM vcam1.)

15. Play.  The camera should move along the track.

16. To change the speed of the camera along the track, double click on the animation track.  A new window will appear labeled Animation.  The new window has two panes.  The right hand pane may not be visible until you drag the right edge of the window to make it larger.  You also need to look at the time scale in the Timeline window to see how it compares to the time scale on the new window you just opened.  If the times scales are too different you will not see the keys you added.  Drag the right end diamonds right and left to speed up or slow down the camera.  Close the window

17. In Timeline drag the Main Camera Cinemachine Shot right end to match the time indicated by the blue vertical line.

18. Test your change.  You should now have one camera running the path.

Method 2 Continued - Second Camera.

4. To add a second camera the steps are the same as adding the first camera.

5. Cinemachine > Dolly Camera with Track.  This will place a second track on the scene. Select Dolly Track2 in the Hierarchy.  This will show the track with two endpoints, 0 and 1.  

1. Select Dolly Track2 in the Hierarchy.  Drag the whole track so point 0 is at your desired start for the camera.

2. Keeping Dolly Track2 selected look in the Inspector.  In Waypoints click the small "+" to add waypoints.  The waypoints can be dragged individually to shape the track.  The whole path can be moved by using the original widget.

3. Select Timeline in the Hierarchy.  The timeline for the first camera should be visible.

4. Drag the virtual camera CM vcam2 on to the left section of the Timeline window.  A small window will open.  Add Animation Track.

5. Select the virtual camera CM vcam2 in the Hierarchy.. Select the red Record button in the CM vcam2 track in the Timeline window.

6. In the Inspector open Body and right click Path Position and select Add Key.  A small diamond will appear on the CM vcam2 animation track.

7. Move the scrubber along (the white line in the Timeline section of the Timeline window) to about midway.  Back in the Inspector > Body enter the number of Path Positions.  Stop recording.

8. Use the scrubber to see the cameras move.

9. Decrease the length of the first shot by dragging the right end of it to that midway diamond.  Right click on the Main Camera timeline and add another Cinemachine Shot.  In the Inspector drag CM vcam2 into the Virtual Camera field.  Position the CM vcam2 in Timeline to start at the end of the CM vcam1 timeline and end at the last diamond.

10. Use the scrubber to see the cameras move.  To smooth out the transition hover over where the  transitions tough, left click and drag.  A box with triangles indication a transition overlap should be created.

11. To increase or decrease the speed and time on the cameras double click on the Animation timelines , then move the diamonds (keys) back and forth.  It may take some experimentation at this point to get the timing the way you want it.

Exercise 1

Rube Goldberg/Dominoes Assignment

In this lesson students will build a Rube Goldberg/dominoes falling over thing. Have the final step actually do something.  Examples: open a curtain to show a picture, turn a page of a book, pour water in a glass or some equally simple task.  Students need to use their imaginations and/or ideas from the examples below. Some of the examples are pretty 2D. Students can do the same or expand it into 3D. Be sure to use the camera on a track to have the camera move through the world. 

Here are some ideas.  #4 is fascinating but it would take some major time and effort to build a world like that.

1. Build something like this https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk

2. Some good ideas here.  https://youtu.be/ntWRTjSl3BI

3. Too simple and horrible camera work but still some ideas.  https://youtu.be/QhIkL3sq36Y

4. Fascinating.  https://youtu.be/MAe61rsXJRk

5. Interesting textures.  https://youtu.be/Ngfus6TdT8w

Requirements:

1. At least two levels (planes).  A ball or domino will fall from a higher to a lower level and hit something on the lower level to continue the process.

2. At least 5 dominoes knocking each other over.

3. Ball (or something) flips at least one teeter totter.

4. All objects have a color or texture.

5. Camera follows the action.

6. At least one spinning object.

7. At least one swinging thing on a chain.

8. At least one set of hinged objects like hanging panels.  https://youtu.be/_LUG_EMPczk .

9. A simple final task at the end.  Examples of a simple task are:  turn a page in a book, put bread in a toaster, turn on a light switch, open a curtain to show a picture, and so on.  Get clever.

Grading:

1. 10 pts for each requirement. (90 possible)

2. 5 - Assets are organized in folders.

3. 10 - All requirements are met.

4. 0-10 - Is cool.  This is a bit subjective.

Total possible points possible 115.

Notes:

Install Unity Hub and Unity version

The first time takes some careful reading.  First Unity Hub needs to be installed.  The actual Unity application is installed through the Hub.  Installation will require the acquisition of a free license.  If using BYOD work through this with the class.  It is best if the teacher has a computer that has never had Unity installed on it.  Use one of the student's computers.  Install at least a 2019 version.  Versions 2020, 2021 and 2022 may have some updates that can make tutorials unreliable.  Do not be deterred by this, students learn more when things do not go smoothly.

Create a new project

In Unity Hub create a new 3D project.  It is very important at this point to discuss the file location of the new project.  The students need to understand the importance of creating a new project file folder and to know where it is located.  The project folder cannot be created on Google Drive so it is important to demonstrate a backup method.  This can be done by Zipping the project folder and storing that on Google Drive.  This would be a good time to discuss project versioning and creating their own versioning system.  It is very important at this point to explain that they need to make a copy of the project, rename it with a new version number, before they start the day's work.  If something goes wrong they then have the previous day's version as backup.

Familiarize with Unity GUI

Do a show and tell with the class.  Point out the main windows: Scene, Game, Hierarchy, Project and Inspector.  Discuss alternate Layouts and how to move and park windows.

Build primitives

Demonstrate where primates are found (GameObject > 3D Object or right-click in Hierarchy) and how to place them in the scene.  At this point show how to use the widgets in the upper left to move, rotate, resize, etc. and show how to use the qwerty shortcut keys.  Discuss the list of primitives.  Use reshaped cubes for the dominoes and ramps for the ball (sphere) to roll down.  Either a plane or a flattened cube will work for the platforms to build the levels on.  If the dominoes do not fall over easily, make them thinner.

Use Physics

In order for objects to react to gravity (balls roll down ramps, dominoes fall over, etc.) the object must have a Rigidbody.  In the Inspector window select Add Component at the bottom.  Type "rig" in the search field.  Rigidbody will appear in the dropdown.  Select it (do not use 2D unless building in 2D).  Examine the options in the Rigidbody Inspector.  Changing the Mass can have an effect on how objects behave.

Construct monochrome color materials

Make a Materials folder in Assets.  Right click on the materials folder.  Create > Material.  Give the New Material the name of the color.  Select the white rectangle next to "Albedo" in the Inspector window.  A color wheel should appear.  Select a color using the color circle and tint square.  Drag and drop the color material onto the Object to be that color.

Import materials from Unity Asset Store

Go to the Unity Asset Store tab.  If the tab is not there go to Window > Asset Store.  Search for "Yughues Free".  This is a huge number of free textures.  Look through the free assets and download and import the desired asset.  Use a lot of trial and error to find the best texture.  Drag and drop it onto an object in the Scene or Hierarchy.

Camera follows the ball

If we do not make the camera follow the ball the scene is over pretty quick.  The solution to this used to require a C# script to manage the camera and to do anything like switching between multiple cameras could be confusing.  The introduction of Unity Cinemachine has made complex camera movement comparatively simple.  Here is a short YouTube video on how to build camera tracks and camera transitions. https://youtu.be/Reh2kGwwFHs.  This video introduces both Cinemachine and Timeline.  Working together they can make professional looking camera movements and transitions easily.

Using Joints to make hinges, springs and chains 

Joints lock objects together, make swinging gates, water wheels, chains, ropes, and other spinning objects.  Here are a number of videos with instructions on how to use the various joint types.

https://youtu.be/MElbAwhMvTc - all joints

https://youtu.be/f4xikqJdkwM - all joints

https://youtu.be/GB8BdFjX8vM - all joints

https://youtu.be/PeFIqErdDoM - Rope bridge and wrecking ball