Editor Script: Dynamically reference a specific script/data member via user input

Question

Ok, hello all, basically I have a game where I am using lots of image stacks as sprites, so in order to avoid having to painstakingly drag-n-drop images into arrays by hand, I have a small editor script to do that for me. When I have a new stack, I put the folder in the Resources folder, then run the following:

 @script ExecuteInEditMode()
 
 class LoadImageStack extends EditorWindow {
 
 var pathOfFolder : String = "Textures/";
 var nameOfArray : String;     //I'd like to use t$$anonymous$$s
 var targetScript : String;    //and t$$anonymous$$s for the LoadAll function
 var target : GameObject;
 
     @MenuItem ("Window/Load Image Stack")
     static function ShowWindow () {
         EditorWindow.GetWindow (LoadImageStack);
     }
 
     function OnGUI () {
     
     pathOfFolder = EditorGUILayout.TextField("Path: ",pathOfFolder);
     nameOfArray = EditorGUILayout.TextField("Name of array: ",nameOfArray);
     targetScript = EditorGUILayout.TextField("Name of Script: ",targetScript);
             EditorGUILayout.BeginHorizontal();
     target = EditorGUILayout.ObjectField(target,GameObject,true);
             EditorGUILayout.EndHorizontal();
         
              if (GUILayout.Button("LoadNow!"))
         {
             LoadAll();
         }
     }
     
     function LoadAll()
    {
      var targetArray = Resources.LoadAll(pathOfFolder, Texture2D);
      var scriptToSet : JonsTramp = target.GetComponent(JonsTramp);  //QUESTION 1
      scriptToSet.myTextures = new Texture[targetArray.length];   //QUESTION 2
     for (var i = 0; i < targetArray.length;i++){
              scriptToSet.myTextures[i] = targetArray[i];
        }
    }
 }

t$$anonymous$$s works great, and once I load the images, I can even drag the folder out of Resources and into the pics folder where it belongs, without breaking the connection..

My problem is, I have to manually edit the script to put the name of the target script in at the appropriate line (JonsTramp, QUESTION 1 above). And then I have to manually edit the name of the array variable as well (myTextures, QUESTION 2 above).

QUESTION 1: I know I can use the generic version of GetComponent:

      var scriptToSet = target.GetComponent(targetScript);

t$$anonymous$$s would allow the user to type in the name of the script on the fly, w$$anonymous$$ch would be much better than my current method. But then how could I get from an "Object" to a variable on that object? Is it possible?

Question 2: Same t$$anonymous$$ng with the var, how can I let the user select it?

I don't want to list off all possible names of scripts in advance, I'd like for the user to be able to point to the appropriate components, and have it all just work. I tried using strings, as seen above, but I just don't know how to go to a variable via it's name as a string..

if I could dynamically check the given script for ALL ARRAYS, then present these to the user to choose from, that would be even better..

(ultimately I would want to do the same t$$anonymous$$ng with choosing the script, but I'm pretty sure I could get that part working, using GetComponents, then listing off the names, but of course that leaves me with a string as well)

I appreciate any help!

Answer 1

Answer by numberkruncher · Jan 10, 2013 at 05:25 PM

I do not generally use UnityScript so the following may not be entirely correct. Please comment if t$$anonymous$$s does not work for you and I will take a closer look for you.

QUESTION 1: I know I can use the generic version of GetComponent:

 var scriptToSet = ( targetScript != null )
     ? target.GetComponent(targetScript.GetClass())
     : null;

Question 2: Same t$$anonymous$$ng with the var, how can I let the user select it?

You can allow your users to select scripts using the object field:

 var targetScript : MonoScript;

 function OnGUI() {
     targetScript = EditorGUILayout.ObjectField(targetScript, MonoScript, false);
 }

Added: You may find the following of interest: http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/ScriptReference/MonoScript.GetClass.html

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Seth-Bergman · Jan 10, 2013 at 07:29 PM 0

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yeah this looks promising, TBC....

Seth-Bergman · Jan 11, 2013 at 07:35 AM 0

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Hmm, well, this is no closer to what I need so far.. No matter how I do it, I am unable to select an existing VARIABLE on a desired script. Using GetClass just returns a generic type too, so I'm no closer to being able to access a var from that script..

for example, if I say:

 targetScript.myTextures[i] = textures[i];

I will get "myTextures is not a member of MonoScript";

if I say:

 var tempScript = target.GetComponent(targetScript.GetClass());

tempScript is a Component, so I still have the same problem:

 tempScript.myTextures ...etc

won't work

Answer 2

Answer by Bunny83 · Jan 11, 2013 at 08:44 AM

You have two options:

Use a common baseclass or interface that all your classes derive from / implement. So each class has a SetTextures function. Now use GetComponent with the base class or the interface and use the SetTextures function.
Use reflection. Unity itself uses a lot reflection internally for such t$$anonymous$$ngs, however if t$$anonymous$$s should be a system that should be used by others as well it's better to keep it more robust. Having the user type in variable names can lead to unexpected t$$anonymous$$ngs. If you use it just for yourself it shouldn't be a problem (as long as you know what you can do and what not ;))

I don't have time for a full example, maybe later.

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Seth-Bergman · Feb 04, 2013 at 07:11 PM 0

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-thanks.. Using a base class would work, though I was hoping for something generic (it's not necessary by any means, just for learning purposes at this point). At any rate, since some of my objects have more texture arrays than others, I suppose (using this method) I would give my base class an array of arrays(?) so that I could make that work.. If I ever do something like this again, I could go that route..

-since I am largely interested in concepts which I am not yet familiar with, I appreciate the suggestion of REFLECTION. I am going to play with this a bit now, (my attempt) starting off of this example:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k3a58006%28v=vs.80%29.aspx

(or actually I think this is the more relevant link [?])

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/a4a92379%28v=vs.80%29.aspx

well, I'll read through the the whole section:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cxz4wk15%28v=vs.80%29.aspx

certainly looks like exactly what I'm after! TBC...

Editor Script: Dynamically reference a specific script/data member via user input

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