Move Every Frame

Part of the Unity Scripting Basics section of Coddy's Unity journey. Lesson 10 of 85.

Unity calls Update() once for every frame it draws. Change the position a little in it and the object moves a little on every frame, which on screen looks like smooth motion.

+= on a position adds a Vector3 to it: each of x, y and z grows by the matching number. This balloon rises 0.02 units on every frame and stays where it is on x and z:

void Update()
{
    transform.position += new Vector3(0, 0.02f, 0);
}

The f is the C# float suffix you already know: Unity works in float, and 0.02 on its own would be a double. At 60 frames a second the balloon rises 0.02 x 60 = 1.2 units every second.

Challenge

Easy

Make the red car drive forward.

In Update(), add new Vector3(0, 0, 0.05f) to transform.position with +=.
Keep x and y at 0: the car moves only along z.

Press Play: the car drives away from the camera. Then Check.

Try it yourself

using UnityEngine;

public class CarMover : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Update()
    {
        // Move the car forward along z here
    }
}

All lessons in Unity Scripting Basics

1C# Basics in Unity

Hello, Unity Variables Decimals Need an f Text in the Console Variables That Remember If and Else Compare Numbers Recap: Coin Collector

4Input

Pressed, Held, Released Axes Named Buttons Mouse Buttons Recap: Charge Jump

7Loops and Methods

Repeat with for Loops Inside Loops Write a Method Methods That Answer Arrays Recap: Staircase

10Finding Things

Find by Name Tags Find by Type References Beat Find Unity's Null Recap: Nearest Coin

13Project: Dodge the Blocks

The Runner Blocks from the Sky

2Make It Move

Place the CubeMove Every FrameTurn Every Second Steer with the Keys Recap: Drive the Cube

5Vectors

Adding Vectors Directions Local and World Space Diagonal Speed Distance Between Things Vector3 Is a Struct Recap: Drone Pilot

8GameObjects and Components

References in the Inspector Get a Component Missing Components Add a Component RequireComponent Show and Hide Recap: Light Switch

11Prefabs and Spawning

Prefabs and Instantiate Spawn on a Timer Spawn in a Grid Lists of Objects Take Back the Newest Destroy Random Spawns Recap: Fireworks

14Final Challenges

Coin Magnet Crossing the Road Road Traffic Tower Builder Land or Miss

3The Inspector

Inspector Fields SerializeField Floats and Mathf Inspector Attributes Recap: Elevator

6Transforms and Hierarchy

Parents and Children Hoist the Flag Scale Look At Things Move Toward a Point Recap: Orbiting Moon

9Project: Catch the Star

The Catcher A Falling Star

12The Script Lifecycle

Awake and Start Update and LateUpdate OnEnable and OnDisable The Lifecycle Order Recap: Lifecycle Logger

Practice on your own: Unity playground