Create UI in Unity Part 1 - Screen Overlay Canvas from Coursera

In this 90-minute, project-based course, you will be introduced to Unity's User Interface (UI) Toolkit for building a Heads Up Display (HUD) for your game. This project covers creating and setting up each UI component and writing simple scripts that will update the UI for player-feedback.

The guided project will introduce you to the following Unity UI concepts:

- Canvas

- Rect Transform

- Text

- Image

- Animation

- Coding techniques including the Time Class, String Formatting, Inheritance and Polymorphism

This is Part 1 of a four-part series on creating a user interface for your game or other Unity application. Part 2 covers creating a world-space canvas, part 3 will demonstrate how to create a settings menu and part 4 will show you how to design the UI to automatically adapt to the aspect ratio of any screen.

This is a stand-alone guided project, and also serves as an optional but recommended foundation for the "User Interface" series.

This series makes use of the sci-fi-themed Unity project created in Create Power-Ups and Obstacles with C# in Unity. It compliments this guided project and, although not a prerequisite, is recommended for a more well-rounded understanding of the concepts presented herein.

What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview

In this 90-minute, extended-length, project-based course, you will be introduced to Unity's User Interface (UI) Toolkit for building a Heads Up Display (HUD) for your game. This project covers creating and setting up each UI component and writing simple scripts that will update the UI for player-feedback.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in Unity's User Interface Toolkit for building a Heads Up Display (HUD) for their game

Teaches simple scripts that will update the UI for player-feedback

Develops core concepts of the Unity UI Toolkit including Canvas, Rect Transform, Text, Image, Animation, and coding techniques

Covers essential Unity UI concepts for creating a user interface for a game or other Unity application

Part of a four-part series on creating a user interface for a game or other Unity application, providing a more comprehensive learning experience

May require some prior knowledge and experience with Unity, potentially limiting accessibility for complete beginners

Reviews summary

Unity screen overlay canvas course

Learners say this Unity course is excellent and precise with engaging assignments and screen recordings that demonstrate the concepts well.

Course complements others well.

"Complements course in C# for Unity well."

Instructor is knowledgeable and capable.

"I love how the instructor used the method where we student can follow what he is doing while he was discussing."

Content is clear with screen recordings.

"Excellent course - precise and engaging"

"More power for you sir. I've learned something new thank you!!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Create UI in Unity Part 1 - Screen Overlay Canvas with these activities:

Practice using Unity's Time Class and String Formatting

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Improves coding proficiency by practicing specific skills needed for the course.

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Review documentation or tutorials on the Time Class and String Formatting in Unity.
Create simple scripts or exercises to practice using these tools.

Review fundamental concepts of user interface design

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Refreshes knowledge of foundational concepts, ensuring a strong understanding of UI principles.

Browse courses on User Interface Design

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Review articles, tutorials, or books on basic UI design concepts.
Discuss key principles with peers or instructors.

Compile a resource list of best practices for UI design in Unity

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Encourages critical thinking and organization skills, while reinforcing understanding of industry standards.

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Gather resources from reliable sources, such as documentation, articles, and tutorials.
Summarize and categorize the best practices, creating a comprehensive list.

Five other activities

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Follow a tutorial to build a simple canvas and UI elements

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Reinforces concepts of canvas and UI elements, and provides hands-on practice in building a basic HUD.

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Find a comprehensive tutorial on building a canvas and UI elements in Unity UI Toolkit.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, creating a simple canvas and adding basic UI elements such as text and images.
Experiment with different properties and settings to customize the appearance and behavior of the UI elements.

Practice updating UI elements based on player actions

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Strengthens understanding of dynamic UI updates and player-feedback mechanisms.

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Create a scenario where player actions trigger changes in the game state.
Write scripts that listen for player actions and update UI elements accordingly.
Test and iterate on the scripts to ensure smooth and responsive UI updates.

Contribute to an open-source project related to UI development in Unity

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Enhances practical skills, fosters collaboration, and exposes students to real-world software development practices.

Browse courses on UI Development

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Identify an open-source project that aligns with your interests and skills.
Reach out to the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
Review the project's codebase and identify areas where you can contribute.
Implement your contributions and submit a pull request.

Design and implement a custom UI element for a specific purpose

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Enhances understanding of UI element creation and customization, and promotes problem-solving and creativity.

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Identify a specific purpose or functionality that you want to add to your HUD.
Design the UI element, including its appearance, behavior, and interactions.
Create and implement the custom UI element using Unity UI Toolkit.
Test and refine the custom UI element to ensure it meets the desired purpose.

Develop a simple game with a fully functional Heads-Up Display (HUD)

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Provides a comprehensive and immersive experience in applying concepts learned to create a tangible project.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Plan and design the gameplay, including the HUD's role and functionality.
Implement the game mechanics and integrate the HUD using Unity UI Toolkit.
Test and refine the game, ensuring the HUD effectively conveys player information and enhances gameplay.

Career center

Learners who complete Create UI in Unity Part 1 - Screen Overlay Canvas will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

UI Developer

A UI Developer designs and develops the user interface of software or websites. This course provides a solid foundation in Unity's UI Toolkit, which is essential for creating engaging and intuitive user interfaces for games. By learning how to create and set up UI components, write simple scripts to update the UI for player feedback, and implement animation, you will gain valuable skills that will make you a more effective UI Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Developer

Game Designer

A Game Designer creates the overall concept, rules, and gameplay elements of a video game. This course can be particularly helpful for Game Designers who want to specialize in creating heads-up displays (HUDs) for their games. By understanding the principles of UI design and development, you can create HUDs that are both visually appealing and functional, enhancing the overall player experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Unity Developer

A Unity Developer specializes in developing games and other interactive experiences using the Unity game engine. This course provides a valuable introduction to Unity's UI Toolkit, which is an essential tool for creating user interfaces for Unity games. By learning how to use the UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for player feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Unity Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unity Developer

UX Designer

A UX Designer focuses on the user experience of software or websites. This course provides a foundation in the principles of UI design and development, which are essential for creating user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for player feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective UX Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Front-End Developer

A Front-End Developer designs and develops the user interface of websites and web applications. This course provides a valuable introduction to Unity's UI Toolkit, which is a powerful tool for creating interactive user interfaces. By learning how to use the UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Front-End Developer.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more well-rounded Software Engineer.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites and web applications. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Web Developer.

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Mobile Developer

A Mobile Developer designs, develops, and maintains mobile applications. This course may be useful for Mobile Developers who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Mobile Developer.

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Interaction Designer

An Interaction Designer designs and develops the interactive elements of software or websites. This course may be useful for Interaction Designers who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Interaction Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Information Architect

An Information Architect designs and organizes the structure and flow of information in software or websites. This course may be useful for Information Architects who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Information Architect.

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Technical Artist

A Technical Artist creates and integrates digital assets into games or other interactive experiences. This course may be useful for Technical Artists who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Technical Artist.

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Motion Graphics Artist

A Motion Graphics Artist creates and animates digital graphics for use in games, videos, and other interactive experiences. This course may be useful for Motion Graphics Artists who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Motion Graphics Artist.

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Character Animator

A Character Animator creates and animates digital characters for use in games, videos, and other interactive experiences. This course may be useful for Character Animators who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Character Animator.

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Concept Artist

A Concept Artist creates visual concepts for games, movies, and other creative projects. This course may be useful for Concept Artists who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Concept Artist.

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Sound Designer

A Sound Designer creates and integrates sound effects, music, and other audio elements into games, movies, and other creative projects. This course may be useful for Sound Designers who want to specialize in developing user interfaces for games or other interactive experiences. By learning how to use Unity's UI Toolkit to create and set up UI components, write scripts to update the UI for user feedback, and implement animation, you will gain skills that will make you a more effective Sound Designer.

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