using an array to move the camera to a random spot

Unity Engine
1

Hi,

I’m hoping that someone can help me.

I am new to Unity Javascript so the solution may be easy or obvious.

I am trying make the camera move randomly to look at one of a group of 2D planes.
The planes depict events in the game world and are called event01, event02, etc.

Thanks in advance!
Yours
Miriam

ps. my attempt so far:

var targetCamera : Transform;

function OnMouseDown () {

//set up array of all possible events
var allPossibleEvents : Transform[ ];
var allPossibleEvents.Push(event01);
var allPossibleEvents.Push(event02);
var allPossibleEvents.Push(event03);
//etc. continues up to 24

//choose randomly from list
var x : int;
x = Random.Range (1 : int, allPossibleEvents.length);
x = x-1;
var nextEvent = allPossibleEvents[×];

//set camera over event
targetCamera.position.x = nextEvent.position.x;
targetCamera.position.z = nextEvent.position.z;

//look at event
targetCamera.LookAt(nextEvent);
}

2

Does the code you have not work? What exactly do you need help with? Using Random.Range() to get a random array position seems like an acceptable solution.

3

Hi,
thanks for replying,

I need help because it’s not working and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I think it’s just small syntax things rather than the basic approach, but any suggestions are appreciated.

I’m getting errors when I try preview it.
I think the problems are with these two lines, but I’m not sure how I should write them:

is this how you add the transform of the event01 object to the array?.

do I need both “x : int” and “1 : int”? or do I just need the first one. (ie, x is an integer so the random number chosen will be an integer)

thanks
Miriam

4

What errors are you getting? That’s always the easiest way to figure out what’s going on.

5

error attached. thanks!

186660--6603--$error_428.jpg

6

Two things:

  • You probably want to use the Array class rather than builtin arrays. That is, create a new array with var allPossibleEvents = new Array(). This will allow you to use the Push() function.
  • When you add a transform to the array, you don’t need to put var in front of it. That would suggest you’re creating a new variable, which you’re not.

Specifying a variable’s type isn’t absolutely necessary in JavaScript, but in my opinion it’s a good practice. So x : int is just fine.

1 : int on the other hand will throw an error. You can’t specify a parameter’s type when supplying it to a function. 1 is an integer, and the compiler knows that. x = Random.Range (1, allPossibleEvents.length); is the code you want.

7

Thanks heaps for your help.
I’t’s working now.

The fixed code in case it helps anyone else:

setNextEvent.js
(used to randomly change the nextEvent)

static var nextEvent : Transform;

function Update () {

var allPossibleEvents = new Array ();

allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event01”));
allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event02”));
allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event03”));
allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event04”));
allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event05”));
allPossibleEvents.Add(GameObject.Find(“event06”));
//etc

var x = Random.Range(0, allPossibleEvents.length -1);

nextEvent = allPossibleEvents[×].transform;

}

goToEvent.js
(attached to the trigger object)

var targetCamera : Transform;

function OnMouseDown () {

var event : Transform = setNextEvent.nextEvent;

targetCamera.position.x = event.transform.position.x;
targetCamera.position.z = event.transform.position.z;
targetCamera.position.z -= 12;

targetCamera.LookAt(event);

}