Prerequisites

This project assumes you are familiar with the basic functionality of Unity. You should also review the following before moving on:

• Getting Started Kit - Advanced Lessons - Smart Phidget Events
• Getting Started Kit - Advanced Lessons - Data Interval

Setup

Make sure you have the following parts before getting started.

Attach your Dial Phidget to your VINT Hub as shown:

Configure Unity

In order to use Phidgets with Unity, you have to configure your project. Follow the instructions below.

Create Environment

Now that your project is configured, you can create your environment.

Write Code (C#)

Copy the code below into your BallScript file.

  
using UnityEngine;
using Phidget22;

public class BallScript : MonoBehaviour
{

    private Rigidbody rb;
    DigitalInput button;
    Encoder dial;
    bool shouldJump = false;
    float x;

    //Button Event 
    void Button_StateChange(object sender, Phidget22.Events.DigitalInputStateChangeEventArgs e)
    {
        shouldJump = e.State;
    }

    //Dial Event
    void Dial_PositionChange(object sender, Phidget22.Events.EncoderPositionChangeEventArgs e){
        x = e.PositionChange;
    }

    // Start is called before the first frame update
    void Start()
    {
        //Connect Rigidbody
        rb = GetComponent <Rigidbody>();

        //Create
        button = new DigitalInput();
        dial = new Encoder();

        //Subscribe to Events
        dial.PositionChange += Dial_PositionChange; 
        button.StateChange += Button_StateChange;

        //Open
        button.Open(1000);
        dial.Open(1000);

        //Set data interval to minimum | This will increase the data rate from the sensor and allow for smoother movement
        dial.DataInterval = dial.MinDataInterval;
    }

    // Update is called once per frame
    void Update()
    {
        //Use your Phidgets
        float y = shouldJump ? 250.0f : 0.0f;
        shouldJump = false; //reset
        Vector3 movement = new Vector3(x, y, 0.0f);
        rb.AddForce(movement);        
    }

    //Required for Unity and Phidgets
    private void OnApplicationQuit()
    {
        button.Close();
        button.Dispose();
        dial.Close();
        dial.Dispose();
    }
}
  

Run Your Program

When you run your code, you will see the ball move based on the position of the dial. Press the button to make the ball jump.

Code Review

When using the Dial Phidget, you have two objects to create an use:

• Encoder
• Push Button

When using the Encoder, it's important to set the data interval to the minimum as shown in the code above. This will ensure your sensor is as responsive as possible. In this program, you are controlling the ball based on the dial movement (left or right). The easiest way to do this is to subscribe to the position change event and store the position change value as shown in the code above. If the change is positive, the ball will move to the right, if negative, it will move to the left.

When using the push button, it's a good idea to use events. Events will allow you to easily determine when the button has been pushed or released. Polling can also be used, however, extra code will be required.

Practice

1. Try adding a multiplier to the position change. This will make your ball more sensitive to movement of the dial.

  
    // Update is called once per frame
    void Update()
    {
        //Use your Phidgets
        float multiplier = 3.0f;
        float y = shouldJump ? 250.0f : 0.0f;
        shouldJump = false; //reset
        Vector3 movement = new Vector3(x*multiplier, y, 0.0f);
        rb.AddForce(movement);        
    }