Load a lot of Prefab on start

Question

I have a sort of tilebased world. Not real tiles, just a LOT of objects put into a matrix kinda grid.

I am looking for good ideas of how to load these into GameObjects without having to code/copy-paste an extra line of GameObject.Resource.Load("xyz") for each time our artist designs a new object for ground, walls, obstracles, bonus-items etc.

I was t$$anonymous$$nking of loading all resources into an array og GameObjects, but then I need to figure out w$$anonymous$$ch goList[xyz] is what Prefab.

Reason is that the map/world is build up from loading levels from a webserver, so we get values/codes for w$$anonymous$$ch tile/prefab to init where. Multiple initations of same prefab on a world map.

Note: We currently use the Indie/free edition, so Assetsbundle is not an option. Once our game experience with Unity3D gets big enough and we are earning money t$$anonymous$$s WILL be our main priority, but right now we have to stick with the Indie version.

Answer 1

I found a way last night.

First I make a static/global array of GameObjects:

 // notice its the generic Object and not GameObject! 
 public Object[] models;

Inside init code, like Start or whereever, I place t$$anonymous$$s one

 models = Resources.LoadAll("Models", typeof(GameObject));

Explanation:

Now I have a complete list of all imported models wit$$anonymous$$n the Models folder in Assets \\ Ressources \\ Models \\

Btw. The Resources.LoadAll, returns a Object[] array, and I haven't been able to typecast it into GameObject, but t$$anonymous$$s works fine(?)

Test it:

 for (int cnt=0; cnt< models.Length; cnt++)
 {
    // lets iterate through them and show their names
    Debug.Log("model #"+ cnt + " is: " + models[cnt].name);
 }

Usage:

Whenever you need them dynamically on the scene, you can run through the models[] array, either keep the index of the ones you need most or search by name.

Then instantiate them as needed:

 int spawn = 52; // if loaded object #52 is your wanted object
 GameObject go = (GameObject) Instantiate( models[spawn], 
                  new Vector3(xpos, ypos, zpos) , Quaternion.identity);

From here you can do to the go object what you need. Such as parent transform, movement, assign components etc.

Why do it t$$anonymous$$s way?

As many of our levels are dynamically generated, we dont use the Unity3D editor for levelediting.

We build a LOAD of .fbx files from Blender or other 3D utils and the artists do not use Unity3D for placement and we just have a large folder + our own assetmanagement server/database.

When the artist registrates the .fbx wit$$anonymous$$n our server, we need to be able to pull these into the game to place on the levels too. T$$anonymous$$s makes it possible for us to code our own custom level/prefab editor and keep our growing structure outside the Unity3D editor.

Answer 2

Answer by Waz · Jun 28, 2011 at 12:54 PM

An array (or multiple) is the way to go, so the artist can just drag it in. Rather than making it an array of GameObject, make it an array of (say) Info, w$$anonymous$$ch you make as a very simple script like:

 var name : String;

if needed, add other stuff:

 enum Category { Rock, Tree, ....... }
 var category : Category;

The artist then adds an Info to the prefab and drags it into the array.

Alternatively, make it an array of struct like t$$anonymous$$s:

 class Info {
     var name : String;
     var prefab : GameObject;
     ...
 }

The artist then adds an element to the array and fills out the details, including dragging in the plain GameObject prefab.

Either style is pretty comfortable for both you and the asset artist.

Also note that using Resource severely limits the value of incremental/streamed level loading, since all Resources are effectively built into level 0 - I.e. not$$anonymous$$ng can start until they are all loaded. In general, Resources are dangerous for web deployed games (the one t$$anonymous$$ng I hate about the Detonator framework is its excessive use of Resources, w$$anonymous$$ch immediately bloat your game even if you don't use the associated explosion types).

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BerggreenDK · Jun 28, 2011 at 01:29 PM 0

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Didnt know that about level 0. But how would you know which resources to load then? another serverscript? and how can the artist drag it in without access to Unity? (I can only use a single .unity3D file for the level I guess, until we have the PRO edition)

Waz · Jun 28, 2011 at 02:56 PM 0

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You can choose a level other than 0 so that you can get a main menu up fast (see First Streamed Level With Resource in Player settings), but that just delays the inevitable. It really depends on you game, and we're getting off the Q subject, but maybe LoadLevelAdditive would allow you to delay some objects until your server says they're needed. It all depends just how big your assets are though. Most users are going to have gotten a whole 5MB unity3d file before they've found the Play button. And it's all for nought if the first thing they do is walk to the tile that needs assets from level 99!

BerggreenDK · Jul 18, 2011 at 11:35 PM 0

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Hmm... only problem with your suggestion right now is that the artist does not use Unity3D editor for designing. He uses Blender, I then import his FBX and from a SQL server we know which FBX makes up a Prefab etc. So I need to be able to automatically load all these.. somehow.

Waz · Jul 19, 2011 at 01:37 AM 0

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Definitely that sounds like a job for AssetBundles. I suggest you ignore the slowness until you're ready to get Pro. Note that the Profiler alone is worth a good chunk of the cost, and developing anything without it is inefficient use of time.

BerggreenDK · Jul 19, 2011 at 09:13 AM 0

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Not really what we are looking for. We do go for pro because of the render effects and shadows, but the reason is more how we work with the project. I've posted my own solution now. Thanks for your effort, eventhough it wasnt what I was looking for. :-)

Load a lot of Prefab on start

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