Setting up the background scroll schematic.
In this short, final tutorial, we’ll make the background scroll to create a better visual effect for moving through space.
BG Scroll: Schematic #
The schematic will use local start variables that define the start position, scroll speed and size of the background. We’ll need them for the scrolling mechanic.
Open the Makinom editor, navigate to Schematics and create a new schematic. Change the following settings.
Settings #
We’ll set up local variables as Machine Start Variables for easy setup in the machine component at a later time. When using the schematic in a machine component, the defined start variables will be added automatically, using their default values.
Machine Start Variables #
Click on Add Start Variable to add a local start variable that will be exposed to the machine component’s inspector.
- Variable Key
Set to startPosition. - Type
Select Vector3. - Default Value
Set to X=0, Y=-10, Z=0.
Again, click on Add Start Variable to add another local start variable.
- Variable Key
Set to scrollSpeed. - Type
Select Float. - Default Value
Set to -0.25.
Copy the previous start variable and change the following settings.
- Variable Key
Set to tileSizeZ. - Default Value
Set to 30.
Change Variables #
Add Node > Value > Variable > Change Variables
We’ll do a first calculation for the new scroll positition by multiplying the scroll speed with the current time.
Click on Add Variable to add a variable change.
- Change Type
Select Variable. - Variable Key
Select scrollPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local. - Type
Select Float. - Operator
Select Set. - Float Value
Select Variable > Float Variable. - Variable Key
Set to scrollSpeed. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
Copy the variable change and change the following settings.
- Operator
Select Multiply. - Float Value
Select Time > Time.
Float Ping Pong #
Add Node > Value > Float > Float Ping Pong
This node will ping pong or loop a float value between two defined values and store it into a variable. We’ll use it to loop the scroll position according to the tile size.
- Use Repeat
Enable this setting.
We want to loop instead of ping pong the value.
Variable Settings #
- Variable Key
Set to scrollPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local. - Operator
Select Set.
Value #
- Value
Select Variable > Float Variable. - Variable Key
Set to scrollPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
Length #
- Value
Select Variable > Float Variable. - Variable Key
Set to tileSizeZ. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
Change Variables #
Add Node > Value > Variable > Change Variables
Now, we’ll store the new position the background object will be set to into a Vector3 variable.
Click on Add Variable to add a variable change.
- Change Type
Select Variable. - Variable Key
Select newPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local. - Type
Select Vector3. - Operator
Select Set. - Float Value
Select Vector3 Variable. - Variable Key
Set to startPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
Copy the variable change and change the following settings.
- Type
Select Axis Vector3. - Axis
Select Z. - Operator
Select Add. - Float Value
Select Variable > Float Variable. - Variable Key
Set to scrollPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
Change Position #
Add Node > Movement > Movement > Change Position
Finally, we’ll place the background object at the new position.
Moving Object #
- Object
Select Machine Object. - Movement Component
Select Transform.
Target Position #
- To Object
Disable this setting. - Vector3 Type
Select Vector3 Variable. - Variable Key
Set to newPosition. - Variable Origin
Select Local.
And that’s it for the schematic – click on Save Schematic and save it as BGScroll in Assets/Schematics/.
BG Scroll: Tick Machine #
All that’s left to do is adding the schematic to the Background game object in the scene. We’ll use a tick machine component to adjust the position each frame.
Add the component (e.g. using the component menu: Makinom > Machines > Tick Machine) and change the following settings.
Start Settings #
- Update
Enable this setting.
Machine Execution Settings #
- Schematic Asset
Select BGScroll. - Execution Type
Select Single. - Update Type
Select Update.
Local Start Variables #
The Machine Start Variables we’ve set up in the schematic are automatically added here with their default values – since the default values are already what we need, we don’t have more to do here. Make sure all variables are enabled.
And that’s it – don’t forget to save the scene.
Testing #
Click on Play to test the game. You’ll now notice the background scrolling at a slow speed.
This concludes the space shooter game tutorial series for now. You can add additional content to the game, e.g. different levels, more enemies or power ups (like increasing the player’s health or decreasing the fire rate).
