Animator controller in Unity - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Animator controller

📖 Scenario: You are creating a simple character animation controller in Unity. The character can be idle or walking. You will set up the animator controller with parameters and transitions to switch between these animations based on player input.

🎯 Goal: Build an Animator Controller in Unity that switches between Idle and Walk animations using a boolean parameter called isWalking.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create an Animator Controller asset named CharacterAnimator.

Add two animation states: Idle and Walk.

Add a boolean parameter called isWalking.

Create transitions between Idle and Walk based on isWalking.

Write a C# script to control the isWalking parameter based on keyboard input.

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Animator Controllers are used in games and interactive apps to manage character animations smoothly based on player actions.

💼 Career

Understanding Animator Controllers and scripting animation parameters is essential for game developers and interactive media creators working with Unity.

1

Create Animator Controller and animation states

Create an Animator Controller asset named CharacterAnimator. Inside it, add two animation states named Idle and Walk.

Unity

// Create Animator Controller named CharacterAnimator
// Add Idle and Walk animation states inside it

Need a hint?

Use Unity's Project window to create the Animator Controller asset. Then open it and drag animation clips to create states.

2

Add boolean parameter isWalking

In the CharacterAnimator Animator Controller, add a boolean parameter named isWalking.

Unity

// Add boolean parameter named isWalking in CharacterAnimator
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Parameters tab is next to Layers tab in Animator window. Use the + button to add a boolean parameter.

3

Create transitions using isWalking

Create a transition from Idle to Walk that triggers when isWalking is true. Also create a transition from Walk back to Idle when isWalking is false.

Unity

// Create transitions between Idle and Walk states using isWalking parameter
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Right-click states to create transitions. Then select the transition arrow to add conditions in Inspector.

4

Control isWalking parameter with C# script

Write a C# script named CharacterMovement that gets the Animator component and sets the isWalking parameter to true when the W key is pressed, and false otherwise.

Unity

using UnityEngine;

public class CharacterMovement : MonoBehaviour
{
    private Animator animator;

    void Start()
    {
        // Get Animator component
        // Your code here
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Set isWalking true if W key pressed, else false
        // Your code here
    }
}

Need a hint?

Use GetComponent<Animator>() in Start() to get the Animator. Use Input.GetKey(KeyCode.W) in Update() to check key press. Then set the boolean parameter.