Trying to make a platform to move to a point and then return

Questions & Answers
1

Hi everyone, I’m trying to make a platform to move to a point and then return, but I cant do it.

public float speed = 10;
	void Update ()  
	 {
		while (transform.position.x >= -20)
		{
			transform.Translate (Vector3.left * speed * Time.deltaTime);
		}


		if(transform.position.x >= -20)
	    {
	     	transform.Translate (Vector3.right * speed * Time.deltaTime);
		}

	}

Thank you very much.

2

You have the right idea, but the While Loop is going to hold up your thread and nothing else will happen.
What I’m doing here is having a constant rate of speed, and just flip it when it gets to either side. By flip it, I mean just multiplying the speed by-1, which will cause it to move in the opposite direction. Also, I recommend using variables for the min/max sides. And another way of doing this is using two empty GameObjects for the min and max.

But there ya go! I hope this answers your question :slight_smile: If it does, please mark it as the answer. Thanks!

Also, I’m assuming you’re attaching this script directly onto the platform.

using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;

public class PlatformController : MonoBehaviour{
	public float speed = 5;
	
	void Update(){
		if(transform.position.x >= 20){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		if(transform.position.x <= -20){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		transform.Translate (Vector3.right * speed * Time.deltaTime);
	}
}

Using float variables for the min/max

using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;

public class PlatformController : MonoBehaviour{
	public float speed = 5;
	public float maxLeft = -8;
	public float maxRight = 8;
	
	void Update(){
		if(transform.position.x >= maxRight){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		if(transform.position.x <= maxLeft){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		transform.Translate (Vector3.right * speed * Time.deltaTime);
	}
}

This is using two empty GameObjects to help visually set the min/max. I personally prefer this way, because it’s easy to see exactly where the platform will be, rather than guessing with float numbers.

using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;

public class PlatformController : MonoBehaviour{
	public float speed = 5;
	public Transform maxLeft;
	public Transform maxRight;
	
	void Update(){
		if(transform.position.x >= maxRight.position.x){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		if(transform.position.x <= maxLeft.position.x){
			speed *= -1;
		}

		transform.Translate (Vector3.right * speed * Time.deltaTime);
	}
}