GameObject in an Array... access question.

Unity Engine
1

I’ve been scouring the forums for more clues as to the syntax for accessing a Component within a GameObject (in an Array). I’m simply trying to create a few GUIText objects in the corner of the screen to provide debug feedback. Below is the code in Start().

Note “debugText” is simply a GUIText Prefab in my Project.

            for (int i = 0; i < max; i++)
            {
                GameObject go = textList[i] as GameObject;
                go = Instantiate(debugText) as GameObject;
            }

This works fine, but in my Update() I have the following (which compiles, but gives me a Null Reference):

        GameObject go = textList[0] as GameObject;
        go.guiText.text = "myString";

This works when the object is instantiated, but not in the Update(). I know I’m not pointing to it correctly. Any clue on the correct syntax?

2

You’re assigning the instantiated object to “go”, but you never assign it back to the array, so the array’s slots are pointing to nothing useful. set textList = go; after you assign go to the instantiated object in the initialization loop.

3

Ahh!!! That makes sense. I knew I was missing something.

Thanks much-

4

One more quick question-
Why, when I do calls to the GameObject in the array, do I have to create a local variable converting it into a GameObject? (C#)

They were GameObjects types when they went in, but only considered Objects now.

        GameObject go = textList[0] as GameObject;
        go.guiText.text = "myString";
5

How is textList declared? If the array is declared as GameObject[ ] you should be able to access GameObject member variables directly from the array.

Also, in your loop you shouldn’t need the local variable either. This:

for (int i = 0; i < max; i++)
{
	textList[i] = (GameObject)Instantiate(debugText);
}

should be sufficient.

6

Wow- that’s much better. I knew there had to be a simpler way to access the types. Thanks!!

What’s the procedure for adding to that GameObject[ ] array? It doesn’t have a .Add function as I would normally use in a List or Array…

7

Nevermind. Reading similar posts, I just define the length of it in the constructor/Start().

I suppose to fill it with objects already instantiated, I’d just leave that undefined, and then do GameObject.Find… right?

8

Exactly! Though GameObject.Find can be slow, so if you can do that part in Start() or Awake() as well you’ll avoid potential hiccups while the game is running.

9

Great- thanks for the help!
I’ll give it a try.