Setting up Unity
As you have seen, for now I favor the Unity game engine. Here is a short explanation on how to install it and the first steps you might take, when setting it up.
You can find the client for either Windows, MacOS or Linux here: https://unity.com/
You will need:
- Windows 64-bit version of 7 SP1+, 8, 10 or
MacOs 10.12+ or
Ubuntu 16.04 or 18.04 - Graphics card with DX10 capabilities
1. Go to unity.com
Choose “Get started”
2. Select the Personal Licence
Normaly the “Teams” Tab is active. Switch to the “Individual” Tab and select “Personal”.
3. Install Unity Hub
There are two ways to install Unity, either with a Wizard or just the Unity Hub client.
If you select the “Start here” on the left side, you get to the Wizard and will be guided through the installation, creation of a Unity ID and installation of a microgame project. Unfortunately you do not get much choices. And you have to create a first project. So I would recommend you choose the second option bellow.
If you select the “Go here on the “returning user“ ”and the “standard Unity installer” you simply install the Unity Hub. Accept the terms and download your Unity Hub.
Start the installation either by clicking on the Setup exe file directly from your browser’s download menu or the folder you downloaded it to.
At the end Unity Hub will open.
4. Install the newest LTS Release
Before you can do anything in Unity you need to install a release. Under “Installs” select “Add”. Unless you have been told to install an old version, choose the latest stable (LTS - Long Term Support) release.
In Unity you can install several releases. Sometimes this is necessary when a project has been created with an older release and some features might not be compatible with the newer release.
For now don’t worry about the module options you are seeing. Unity also comes with the Community Edition of Visual Studio.
For Unity you have now two icons, either one of them will start your Unity Hub.
5. Create your first project
You can now create your first project.
Select the project tab on the left and then “new”. As you will see you have four templates to choose from. For your first project choose 2D or 3D. Give your project a name and decide where to store it.
6. Create your Unity ID
Some features, such as assets from the asset store are only available with a Unity ID. I would therefore recommend that you create one. If you click on the character icon in the top right corner, choose “Sign in” and then “Create account”.
7. Learn and have fun with the tutorials and microgames
Unity comes with some tutorials. You can find them under the “Learn” Tab in your Unity Hub. Give it a try!
In the beginning Unity can be challenging. But once you get your first game going, its fun and addictive. In next posts I will explain how to customize the interface and get started with a simple moving object.
