Create a User Interface in Unity Part 2 - World-Space Canvas from Coursera

In this one-hour, project-based course, you will be introduced to Unity's User Interface (UI) Toolkit for creating user interface for your game world. This project covers creating and setting up each UI component and writing a script that will update the UI elements based on certain game events.

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

- World-space Canvas

- Rect Transform

- Text

- Image

- Tags

- Scripting in C# to control UI content

This is Part 2 of a four-part series on creating a good-looking user interface for your game or other Unity application. Part 1 covered creating a screen overlay canvas for typical player-feedback such as health and score. Part 3 will demonstrate how to create a settings menu and Part 4 will show you how to create a UI that will automatically adapt to the aspect ratio of any screen.

This is a stand-alone guided project, but because this is a continuation of the previous part in the "User Interface" series, it is recommended that you complete the first part before commencing this guided project.

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

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners the Unity User Interface (UI) Toolkit for game user interface

Covers essential UI concepts, including world-space canvas, rect transform, text, image, tags, and scripting in C#

Provides a hands-on project to apply these concepts in practice and build a basic user interface for a game world

Assumes a basic understanding of Unity and C# programming, making it suitable for intermediate-level learners or those with prior experience in game development

Recommended as part of a four-part series on creating a comprehensive user interface for games or Unity applications, but can also be taken as a standalone guided project

May require access to Unity and a basic understanding of its user interface

Reviews summary

Basics of unity ui

According to learners, this course "very little" covers the topic of creating a world space canvas in Unity. One review was critical while the other provided no text for analysis.

Minimal Content

"very little content about the topic of the course"

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 a User Interface in Unity Part 2 - World-Space Canvas with these activities:

Read Don Norman's 'The Design of Everyday Things'

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Provides a foundational understanding of human-computer interaction and user-centered design principles, enhancing UI creation capabilities.

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Reflect on the principles presented in the book and how they apply to UI design.

Create UI canvas and components

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Create a UI canvas and components to practice the skills and concepts introduced in the course.

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Create a new Unity project.
Import the Unity UI Toolkit package.
Create a new UI canvas.
Add UI components to the canvas, such as a text element, an image element, and a button element.
Write C# scripts to control the UI components.

Follow Unity Tutorial on UI Toolkit

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Introduces the basics of Unity UI Toolkit by following a guided tutorial, providing a practical understanding of its functionality.

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Access the tutorial provided by Unity on its official website.
Set up a new Unity project and follow the steps outlined in the tutorial.
Experiment with different UI components and scripts to create a simple user interface.

Four other activities

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Create UI Elements using Rect Transform

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Reinforces the understanding of Rect Transform by practicing creating and positioning UI elements in Unity.

Browse courses on Rect Transform

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Create a new Unity project.
Add UI elements to the scene, such as buttons, text, and images.
Use Rect Transform to adjust the size, position, and pivot of the UI elements.

Build a Health Bar for a Game Character

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Applies the learned concepts to create a practical UI element, reinforcing understanding of UI Toolkit and script interactions.

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Create a new Unity project.
Create a game character with a health value.
Create a UI canvas and add a Slider component for the health bar.
Write a script to update the health bar based on the character's health value.

Discuss Best Practices for UI Design

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Encourages critical thinking and knowledge sharing through peer discussions, reinforcing design principles and improving UI implementation.

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Form a study group with classmates.
Research and gather information on UI design best practices.
Meet with the group and discuss the findings, sharing ideas and perspectives.

Contribute to Open Source UI Projects

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Provides opportunities to work on real-world UI projects, contributing to the broader community while enhancing skills and knowledge.

Browse courses on UI Development

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Identify open source UI projects that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving the UI design.

Career center

Learners who complete Create a User Interface in Unity Part 2 - World-Space Canvas will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

This course can help Game Designers add graphical user interface (GUI) elements that enhance gameplay. Game Designers create and design video games using coding and design software. To be a successful Game Designer, it is important to have a good understanding of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) best practices, which this course will provide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

User Interface Designer

This course can aid User Interface Designers by introducing them to Unity's UI toolkit. User Interface Designers create interfaces for software or applications, such as websites and mobile apps. To excel in this role, having knowledge of GUI components and C# scripting is beneficial, all of which this course covers.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Software Developer

Individuals interested in becoming Software Developers will find this course useful for understanding UI design and implementation within the Unity game engine. Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software systems, and having a strong foundation in UI development is essential. This course will help build a strong understanding of Unity's UI system and its application in game development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Game Programmer

This course can be a valuable resource for Game Programmers, providing them with knowledge of Unity's UI system and C# scripting. Game Programmers are responsible for writing code and implementing game mechanics, and having a good understanding of UI development is an asset. By taking this course, Game Programmers can enhance their skills and create more immersive user experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Technical Artist

Technical Artists bridge the gap between art and technology in game development. This course would be beneficial for aspiring Technical Artists by providing them with a foundation in Unity's UI system and C# scripting. By gaining proficiency in these areas, Technical Artists can contribute to creating visually appealing and functional user interfaces within game environments.

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UX Designer

This course can be helpful for UX Designers looking to gain experience with Unity's UI system. UX Designers focus on creating user experiences that are both functional and enjoyable. By taking this course, UX Designers can learn how to use Unity's UI tools to create and implement user interfaces that meet the needs of users and enhance their overall experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Front-End Developer

This course can be useful for aspiring Front-End Developers interested in creating user interfaces for web applications. Front-End Developers are responsible for designing and implementing the visual and interactive elements of websites and web applications. By taking this course, Front-End Developers can gain knowledge of Unity's UI system and apply it to web development, enhancing their skills and expanding their career opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Web Designer

This course may be helpful for Web Designers interested in gaining experience with Unity's UI toolkit. Web Designers create and design websites and web applications, focusing on visual appeal, usability, and functionality. By taking this course, Web Designers can learn how to utilize Unity's UI system to create interactive elements and enhance the overall user experience on websites and web applications, broadening their capabilities and increasing their value in the job market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Visual Designer

This course may be useful for Visual Designers interested in exploring UI design within the Unity game engine. Visual Designers specialize in creating visual concepts and interfaces for digital products. By taking this course, Visual Designers can gain insights into Unity's UI system and learn how to implement user interfaces that are both visually appealing and functional, expanding their skillset and increasing their employability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Game Artist

This course may be helpful for Game Artists interested in gaining experience with Unity's UI system. Game Artists are responsible for creating visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. By taking this course, Game Artists can learn how to use Unity's UI tools to create and implement user interfaces that complement the visual style of their games, enhancing their versatility and increasing their marketability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers may find this course helpful as it introduces Unity's UI Toolkit for creating interactive elements within game environments. Interaction Designers focus on designing and implementing user interactions, ensuring that products are intuitive and engaging. By taking this course, Interaction Designers can learn how to utilize Unity's UI tools to create interactive interfaces that enhance the user experience, making them more valuable to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Graphic designer

This course may be useful for aspiring Graphic Designers interested in exploring user interface (UI) design within the Unity game engine. Graphic Designers create visual concepts and designs for various media, including websites, print materials, and digital interfaces. By taking this course, Graphic Designers can learn how to use Unity's UI tools to create visually appealing and functional user interfaces, expanding their skillset and making them more competitive in the job market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Web Developer

Aspiring Web Developers may find this course helpful as it provides an introduction to Unity's UI Toolkit. Web Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. By taking this course, Web Developers can learn how to utilize Unity's UI tools to create interactive and engaging user interfaces, expanding their skillset and increasing their value to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

UI Engineer

This course may be useful for aspiring UI Engineers interested in learning about Unity's UI Toolkit. UI Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and implementing user interfaces for software applications. By taking this course, UI Engineers can gain knowledge of Unity's UI system and apply it to their work, enhancing their skills and making them more competitive in the job market.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers may find this course helpful for gaining experience with Unity's UI system. Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. By taking this course, Software Engineers can learn how to use Unity's UI tools to create user interfaces for their software applications, broadening their skillset and increasing their value to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer