Raycasting with layermask trouble

Unity Engine
1

I’m new to raycasting, so I borrowed this script then added the layerMask.

var Target : GameObject; 
var layerMask = 1 << 9;

function TargetMouseSelect() : GameObject {

var ray : Ray = camera.ScreenPointToRay(Input.mousePosition);
var hit : RaycastHit;

	if(Physics.Raycast (ray, hit, Mathf.Infinity,layerMask)){
		if (hit.collider.gameObject){
			Target = hit.collider.gameObject;
		}
	}
}
//

function Update(){



	if(Input.GetMouseButtonDown(0)){
		TargetMouseSelect();
		if(Target!= null)GameObject.Find("Player").GetComponent(PlayerController).target = Target.transform;
	}

	
}

The problem is, I can only target objects obscured by the layerMask once, then it ceases to function. Can anyone figure this one out?

Also, if I invert the layerMask, the Target is automatically set to a layer 9 object, without me invoking the method.

2

Actually, I realized that the IgnoreRaycast layer solves this problem, but if someone could explain the use of custom layerMasks, it would be greatly appreciated for more general use.

3

It’s easier if you just use the LayerMask type.

var layerMask : LayerMask;

–Eric