Create UI in Unity Part 4 - Make UI Fit Any Aspect Ratio from Coursera

In this one-hour, project-based course, you will learn how to use Unity's User Interface (UI) Toolkit's Auto Layout System to make the UI elements of your game present correctly on screens of any aspect ratio. This project covers adding Layout Controllers to and customizing each UI component in your game.

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

- Canvas Scaler

- Rect Transform

- Horizontal Layout Group

- Vertical Layout Group

This is Part 4 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, while Part 2 showed you how to create world-space canvases to provide information and feedback on GameObjects in the environment. And in Part 3, we demonstrated how to create a settings menu.

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

Taught by Edward Falzon, who is recognized for their work in training game developers

Explores industry-standard layout methods like Horizontal Layout Group and Vertical Layout Group

Suitable for beginners seeking to design responsive UIs in Unity

Complements a series of courses on creating user interfaces in Unity

Provides a practical project to apply the concepts taught

Requires understanding of basic UI concepts in Unity

Reviews summary

Short and sweet thank you

According to students, this course is well received but provides limited information. Students say that this course is short and sweet. One student expressed their gratitude in their review.

One student expressed gratitude for the course.

"Thank you"

The course is short.

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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 4 - Make UI Fit Any Aspect Ratio with these activities:

Learn about Canvas Scaler and Rect Transform

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Gain a deeper understanding of the Canvas Scaler and Rect Transform to enhance the use of the Auto Layout System.

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Explore the Unity documentation on Canvas Scaler and Rect Transform.
Watch online tutorials or attend workshops on these concepts.
Create sample projects to experiment with Canvas Scaler and Rect Transform.
Read articles and blog posts to learn from the experiences of other developers.

Review Unity UI concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of Unity UI concepts to build a strong foundation for understanding the Auto Layout System.

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Revisit the Unity documentation on UI elements.
Watch video tutorials or take online courses covering Unity UI.
Practice creating simple UI layouts in Unity.
Read articles and blog posts to stay updated on industry best practices.

Discuss Auto Layout System with peers

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Engage in discussions with peers about using the Auto Layout System, sharing knowledge and experiences.

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Find a study group or online forum focused on Unity development.
Create a discussion thread or join an existing one about the Auto Layout System.
Share your experiences, questions, and insights with other participants.
Provide constructive feedback and support to fellow learners.

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Connect with experienced Unity developers

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Find experienced Unity developers who can provide guidance and support in using the Auto Layout System.

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Attend online forums and meetups.
Join Unity communities on social media.
Reach out to Unity developers through LinkedIn.
Attend industry events and conferences.

Develop a user interface for a game prototype

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Apply the concepts of the Auto Layout System to create a user interface for a game prototype.

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Design the game prototype on paper.
Create a new Unity project.
Add a Canvas and UI elements to the scene.
Use the Auto Layout System to create the UI layout.
Implement game logic and functionality.

Adjust Auto Layout settings for different screen resolutions

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Practice using the Auto Layout System to adjust UI layouts for different screen resolutions.

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Create a new Unity project.
Add a Canvas and UI elements to the scene.
Create different screen resolution presets.
Use the Auto Layout System to adjust the UI layout for each screen resolution.
Play the game and test the UI layout for different screen resolutions.

Design a UI layout using Auto Layout System

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Practice using the Auto Layout System to create a UI layout for a game prototype.

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Sketch out a design for the UI layout.
Create a new Unity project.
Add a Canvas and UI elements to the scene.
Use the Auto Layout System to arrange the UI elements.
Play the game and test the UI layout.

Use Unity UI Auto Layout System

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Review the Unity UI Auto Layout System to understand how it can be used to display UI elements within Unity.

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Launch Unity Hub and open the Unity project.
Create a new scene.
Add a Canvas object to the scene hierarchy.
Add a UI Image and a UI Text object to the Canvas.
Add a Horizontal Layout Group and a Vertical Layout Group to the UI elements.

Career center

Learners who complete Create UI in Unity Part 4 - Make UI Fit Any Aspect Ratio will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

UX Designer

UX Designers craft the look, feel, and interaction of digital products, ensuring that they are user-friendly and visually appealing. This course's emphasis on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is highly relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a foundation in the principles of UI design and the tools and techniques used by UX professionals. This knowledge will enhance your ability to create intuitive and engaging user experiences, making you a more competitive candidate for UX Designer roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

UI Designer

UI Designers specialize in designing the graphical user interfaces of websites and applications. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is essential to this role. By completing this course, you will gain practical experience using Unity's UI Toolkit and develop a strong understanding of UI design principles. This knowledge will equip you with the skills and portfolio necessary to excel as a UI Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers are responsible for turning UI designs into functional and responsive websites and applications. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as experience working with UI frameworks. This knowledge will help you build a foundation for a successful career as a Front-End Developer.

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Web Developer

Web Developers create and maintain websites and web applications. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a strong foundation in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as experience working with UI frameworks. This knowledge will prepare you for entry-level Web Developer roles and provide a pathway for career advancement.

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Game Designer

Game Designers plan and create the gameplay, mechanics, and overall experience of video games. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of UI design principles and how to create intuitive and engaging user experiences. This knowledge will enhance your ability to design and develop immersive and enjoyable video games.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products and features. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of UI design principles and how to create user-friendly and visually appealing products. This knowledge will make you a more effective Product Manager, able to guide your team in developing successful products.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials and training programs. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of UI design principles and how to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. This knowledge will make you a more effective Instructional Designer, able to design and develop effective training materials that meet the needs of learners.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation and training materials for software and technology products. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a practical understanding of UI design principles and how to effectively communicate technical information to users. This knowledge will help you create clear and concise documentation that supports the adoption and use of software and technology products.

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Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a practical understanding of UI design principles and how to create visually appealing designs. This knowledge will make you a more effective Graphic Designer, able to create visually appealing and effective designs for a variety of purposes.

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User Researcher

User Researchers conduct research to understand user needs and behavior. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a practical understanding of UI design principles and how to evaluate the usability of user interfaces. This knowledge will equip you with the skills to conduct user research studies and make recommendations for improving the user experience of digital products.

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Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual style and overall aesthetic of creative projects. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a solid understanding of UI design principles and how to create visually appealing and cohesive designs. This knowledge will enhance your ability to lead creative teams and ensure that the visual style of your projects aligns with the overall vision and goals.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is valuable for this role. By completing this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of UI design principles and how to integrate UI elements into software applications. This knowledge will help you create user-friendly and visually appealing software applications.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists analyze data to extract meaningful insights and develop predictive models. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is indirectly relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a practical understanding of UI design principles and how to create user interfaces that effectively communicate data insights. This knowledge may be useful in developing data visualization tools and interactive dashboards that support data analysis and decision-making.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business needs and processes to identify opportunities for improvement. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is indirectly relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a basic understanding of UI design principles and how to evaluate the usability of user interfaces. This knowledge may be useful in evaluating the user experience of business applications and making recommendations for improvements.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects to achieve specific goals. This course's focus on creating UI elements that fit any aspect ratio is indirectly relevant to this role. By completing this course, you will gain a basic understanding of UI design principles and how to communicate with designers and developers. This knowledge may be useful in managing projects that involve the development of user interfaces.

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