Setup Unity New Input System
The Unity Input System Package is a tool that allows us to create input systems via event-driven programming.
Objective: Learn how to install the input System Package.
Bonus: Learn about even-driven programming.
Table of Contents:
· How to Install
· Enable Both Old and New Input
∘ Troubleshooting
· A Quick Overview of Event-driven Programming
How to Install
You must have Unity 2019.1+ and the .NET 4 runtime. NET 4 is installed by default as part of 2019+, however, it’s important to note that this will only work in NET 4 as it can be set to an older version by default in your Player settings. No need to worry, we’ll go over that in the Troubleshooting section.
- Go to Window → Package Manager → Type Input
2. Click on Install once you find the Input System
3. A warning window will pop up briefing you on enabling backends. What this means: if you enable backends, the old input system will be disabled. You can keep both without issue: selecting “Yes” will activate the new input only, and “No” will keep the old input active.
Enable Both Old and New Input
Troubleshooting
Before we can enable both, this is important to verify regardless of whether you activated the backends or not.
Go to Edit →Project Settings → Player and scroll to Configuration. Make sure to set Scripting Backend to IL2CPP and Ap Compatibility Level to NET 4.x Otherwise, the new input system won’t work with your project.
To enable both go to Edit → Project Settings → Player → Active Input Handling.
In Active Input Handling, make sure to set it to Both and Apply the changes, this will restart Unity.
Now you’re all set!
A Quick Overview of Event-driven Programming
This part of the article is not necessary for the installation process, however, if this is your first time hearing about the concept of EDP, I invite you to look at this bite-sized introduction.
What is Event-driven programming?
- Event-driven programming(EDP) is a coding standard in which external events determine how a program executes.
What is an event?
- An event is something that has happened, a recorded or registered change in our program that calls for a response.
Examples:
- A user interacts with a UI element or button
- The user presses a key
- The Player pulls a lever
- A proximity trigger is detected
Why does it matter?
Event-driven programming allows us to create highly responsive and interactable applications. They can also be more resource-effective and open to modularity.
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