[RELEASED] Dialogue System for Unity - easy conversations, quests, and more!

I want to create a conversation scene with a camera angle where the player and NPC can be seen at the same time like this game
What should I do?

 

Do exactly what they do. Lake uses the Dialogue System.

There are two easy ways to do it:

1. Use Camera() sequencer commands. (See the Sequencer Command Tutorials.) Position an empty GameObject where you want the camera to go. Then use Camera(GameObject) in a conversation's Sequence field(s) to move the camera there.

2. Or use Cinemachine. The Dialogue System includes components and sequencer commands to tell Cinemachine to move the camera to different vcams (positions).

 

When I used the demo database as it was, the conversation was not written in the visual novel UI, but the conversation was written in the balloon above.
How do I write to the visialnovelUI?

Thank you for everything.

 

Hi @kuromatu - Assign the VN Template Standard Dialogue UI to the Dialogue Manager's Dialogue UI field:



You may also be interested in the free VN Starter Framework on the Dialogue System Extras page. It has features like backtracking, auto skip, history, etc., that are commonly seen in visual novels.

 

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I'm sorry, it's about cogiExample.
The npc conversation is displayed in a speech bubble and the vnUI is blank.

 

Inspect the character's Dialogue Actor component. Set Dialogue UI Settings > Subtitle Panel Number and Menu Panel Number to Default. This will use the UI assigned to the Dialogue Manager.

 

I’ve done it.
Thank you very much.

 

Glad to help!

 

If the sequence is written in this way, an error will be thrown.

Code (CSharp):

1. CameraMove(700, -1325, 0);
2. CharacterCreate(Employee_1)->Message(Yes);
3. CharacterLocation(Employee_1, 37, 173)@Message(Yes);
4. Continue()@Message(Yes);

Error message：

Code (CSharp):

1. ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection.
2. Parameter name: index
3. System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentOutOfRangeException (System.ExceptionArgument argument, System.ExceptionResource resource) (at <eae584ce26bc40229c1b1aa476bfa589>:0)
4. System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentOutOfRangeException () (at <eae584ce26bc40229c1b1aa476bfa589>:0)
5. System.Collections.Generic.List`1[T].get_Item (System.Int32 index) (at <eae584ce26bc40229c1b1aa476bfa589>:0)
6. PixelCrushers.DialogueSystem.Sequencer.CheckActiveCommands () (at Assets/Plugins/Pixel Crushers/Dialogue System/Scripts/MVC/Sequencer/Sequencer.cs:893)
7. PixelCrushers.DialogueSystem.Sequencer.Update () (at Assets/Plugins/Pixel Crushers/Dialogue System/Scripts/MVC/Sequencer/Sequencer.cs:496)
8.  

This error does not occur when I put the command "Continue () @ Message (Yes);" on the first line.

Code (CSharp):

1. Continue()@Message(Yes);
2. CameraMove(700, -1325, 0);
3. CharacterCreate(Employee_1)->Message(Yes);
4. CharacterLocation(Employee_1, 37, 173)@Message(Yes);

 

1. Dialogue Editor feedback is slow, clicking on a task or conversation node does not respond for a long time, and the monitoring panel will not be refreshed, which makes people feel very stuck. It will be better after restarting the unity editor, but it will become very stuck after using it for a period of time.
2. The loading speed is very slow. When I package the database into AB, it takes more than 1 second to complete the file loading and initialization of 200KB.

Can you improve and optimize the above two points?

 

When I use the command in the following way, the string does not get the default value I want.

Code (CSharp):

1. // Suppose this command can pass three parameters, all of which can use default values, and I can get the correct default values when I pass none of them.
2. Cmd();
3.  
4. // When I write this as in the following example, the second parameter is of type string and is not passed, so there is no way to get the default value, but an empty string.
5. Cmd(a, , c)

The parsing code for C# parameters is as follows:

Code (CSharp):

1. // Here is an empty string.
2. string second = GetParameter(1, "defaultValue");
3. // I have to write this to get the default value I want.
4. second = string.IsNullOrEmpty(second) ? "defaultValue" : second;

 

Hi @yangkairong - This sounds like a problem outside of the Dialogue System. Check your other scripts and assets for memory leaks. Also watch for any errors or warnings in the Console window.

If you're using Unity 2019.2 or 2019.3, please update to 2019.4 or higher. Unity 2019.2 and 2019.3 have a serialization bug that causes major performance issues. Unity fixed it in 2019.4 and 2020.1.

If you're using an older version of the Dialogue System, please back up your project and update to version 2.2.16. This contains performance updates for the Actors, Quests/Items, Locations, and Variables sections.

For general Dialogue System editor performance, on the Dialogue Editor's Database page tick Editor Settings > Fast Undo for Large Databases. Also make sure the Auto Backup Frequency is not too frequent. (If it's set to zero, it will not make auto backups.)



You can also review the fields in the Templates page. Delete any fields that you don't need. Dialogue System versions 2.2.15 and earlier creates new databases with the default fields used by Chat Mapper. You really only need these fields if you're going to be importing and exporting between the Dialogue System and Chat Mapper. If not, you can delete these fields in the Dialogue Entry template, for example, to make your database smaller and faster to edit:




There should be no performance issues with a 200 KB database. However, if your database gets very large (e.g., 50-100 MB), you can split it into multiple databases. See: Working With Multiple Databases for considerations and tips.

There should be no runtime loading issues with the database. Please review your scripts.

You can, however, speed up Unity UI's runtime initialization of the dialogue UI layout by setting the Dialogue Manager's Warm Up Conversation Controller dropdown to Extra:

 

Is there a tutorial like "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" in the demo video where 2d sprites face each other and talk?

Is it possible to change facial expressions flexibly?

 

See the Dialogue UI Tutorial. That link has a link to the video version. I recommend the video version.

Yes. Assign multiple portraits to the actor's Portrait Images section. Each one will have a number (1, 2, 3, etc.). Use the [pic=#] markup tag in Dialogue Text to use a specific image for that node, or use SetPortrait() to change the image permanently. For example, say pic 3 is a scared facial expression:

• Dialogue Text: "It's scary in here! [pic=3]"

 

Thank you for your reply.
I changed the image of Portrait Image in Response Image of vnUI to a standing picture image, but when I play it, it is not displayed.
Do I need to do anything from the Dialogue Manager Conversation?

 

In the Dialogue Editor, assign the images to the actor's Portrait Sprites:



Each one has a number. The first one is 1. Then they are numbered 2, 3, 4, etc.

Then use that number in a [pic=#] tag in a dialogue entry node's Dialogue Text:

 

Using the MoveTo sequence command
I want to move the character out of the camera
It will return to its original position after moving

I want you to stay outside the camera during the conversation

MoveTo (Moonwell, Wisp, 3)

 

Oh, I didn't have to change the portrait image to a standing image.

I assigned the image to the actor Portrait Sprites and it was displayed successfully.
Can I adjust the size and position of the image after assigning it? Or do you need to adjust before assigning?

 

Hi @AJD1 - Create an empty GameObject that is outside of the camera range. For example, call it "Off Camera Position".

You can use the special keywords speaker and listener in sequences. If the dialogue entry node is assigned to the player, then the player will be speaker. So you can use this Sequence:



If the dialogue entry node is assigned to the NPC, then the player will be listener. (Technically, the character who is assigned to the Conversant dropdown will be listener.) So you can use this Sequence:

Hi @kuromatu - Yes, you can adjust the size and position. Inspect the dialogue UI and change the Portrait Image. For example, you can move its Rect Transform position or size:

 

Thank you.
By the way, how should I specify the images of Subtitle Panels 0, 1 and 2?
If I didn't do anything for the time being, an image appeared in Subtitle Panel 1 on the left.

 

Panel 1 should show the player's portrait image. If you don't want it to show, inspect panel 1 and change the Visibility dropdown from Always From Start to Always Once Shown.

 

I understand a lot.
If I want to make Actor 4 or later, I can make a standing picture by copying Subtitle Panel 3.

By the way, when I click Subtitle Panel 1, the image of Response Menu Panel seems to overlap. What is this image?

 

Yes. Remember to assign Subtitle Panel 4 to the Standard Dialogue UI component's Subtitle Panels list.

The Response Menu Panel has its own portrait image for the player. If you don't want this image, just remove it:



Or, if you prefer, you can position it in the same position as Subtitle Panel 1's image.

 

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How to hide the ucc player
I want to hide the ucc player until the conversation scene is over

 

Is there a way to turn off the ability to darken standing pictures that I'm not talking about in vnUI?

 

Hi @AJD1 - Since you're using UCC, you can use the UCC camera's Object Fader. While it might be more concise to handle it in a script, you can do it without any scripting:

1. Add a child GameObject with a Dialogue System Trigger that starts the conversation. Assign the main NPC GameObject to the Conversation Conversant field:



2. Configure the main Dialogue System Trigger (the one that the UCC Interactable component uses) to do two things:

• Set the Camera's Object Fader > Start Fade Distance to a high value such as 99 so it will fade the player.
• Use SendMessage() to trigger the child GameObject after a short delay to give the Object Fader time to work.

Add another Dialogue System Trigger set to OnConversationEnd that resets Start Fade Distance back to its original value:

 

Hi @kuromatu - Yes. You can edit the animations, or remove them entirely. To remove them, remove the Animator components from the subtitle panels.

 

Hey Tony, after updating Dialogue system and Opsive's assets + integrations, I've had the little issue where my cursor doesn't get disabled upon first start (when playing). This cursor will disable itself after opening up and closing an inventory panel from UIS, however after closing a dialogue conversation, it stays on. I've tried playing around with the cursor settings (Unity Input component from FPC, Inventory canvas settings from UIS and cursor control settings in the dialogue manager), however I've not had any luck so far.

Do you have any ideas?

 

When the standing picture of Player is set in the Visual Novel Dialogue UI, Subtitle Panel 1 and Response Menu Panel are displayed at the same time.
I tried erasing the Response Menu Panel, but this time the standing picture animation (eg, the standing picture that is not talking becomes darker) does not work.

 

Hi @SOSolacex - Inspect the Dialogue Manager GameObject's Input Device Manager component. Untick 'Control Cursor State'.

Also, make sure your player's UCC "Input" component (e.g., UnityInput) has the "Conversing" state in its States list.

 

Check if they share the same Image GameObject. If so, then don't delete it. If that doesn't help, please post a screenshot to help me understand what's going on.

 

Hey Tony,
What you said helped, to a certain extent- it would cause my cursor to either keep being enabled, or keep being disabled.
And for example, did some more changes and I got to the point where my cursor would still keep getting disabled, even though I was in my inventory.. This would cause the cursor to get disabled when I had my inventory open whenever I'd move my mouse off the panel or if I moved my panel too quickly.

So I noticed that on the Gameplay panel, the "select on hover" was automatically enabled after one of the updates.
Turned that off and everything was fine!

Thanks for the help. Cheers

 

Glad to help!

 

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When I have two characters with the same name like here:



If I put the bottom one in the dialogue, it just doesn't show up. If I change his name he shows up perfectly clear with a portrait, but if it's the same as the top one it doesn't.

 

@Stickeyd - Give each actor a unique, non-blank name. Then set the Display Name to ???:



When the player learns the actor's name, you can set Display Name to another value.

The Dialogue System Extras page has a "Discover Name Example" scene.

 

I use Quest Trigger with OnTriggerEnter, the alert message is shown on trigger, but doesn't hide, it stays, even after several minutes in game.
And second thing, when I have only one choice of dialogue player can deselect it, so when dialogue starts there is 1 choice with white color (selected), but then it is grey (deselected).

 

Thanks TonyLi! That issue solved.

Another one. I need to hide the portrait name when the conversant(not the actor) of current dialogue node is "(None)". These nodes signify the author words. I tried to just put ("None") talking with("None") but that hides the NPC the dialogue is going with.

 

Hi @Venominus - Are there any errors or warnings in the Console window? Check your dialogue UI's Alert UI Elements. Are Alert UI Elements > Panel and Alert Text assigned? Try unticking Wait For Hide Animation as a test.

Then check the timing settings on the Dialogue Manager's Display Settings > Alert Settings.

If you're not on the latest version of the Dialogue System, please try backing up your project and updating.

Inspect the Dialogue Manager GameObject's Input Device Manager, and tick Always Auto Focus.[/QUOTE]

 

Hi @Stickeyd - Add a script with an OnConversationLine method to the Dialogue Manager. In this method, check if there is no conversant. If there is no conversant, hide the portrait name/image. Example:

Code (csharp):

1. void OnConversationLine(Subtitle subtitle)
2. {
3.     // (Your code here may vary depending on your dialogue UI:)
4.     var ui = DialogueManager.dialogueUI as StandardDialogueUI;
5.     ui.conversationUIElements.defaultNPCSubtitlePanel.portraitName.gameObject.SetActive(subtitle.listenerInfo.id  != -1);
6. }

 

Hey Tony, I've noticed that whenever the user gets a response presented, the conversation doesn't auto scroll to the bottom.

How can I make it so that the player doesn't have to manually scroll to the bottom to select their response after all the text has been shown?

 

Add a UI Scrollbar Enabler to your dialogue UI's Scroll Rect if it doesn't already have one. Then make sure it's assigned to the Standard UI Menu Panel's Scrollbar Enabler:

 

It works, but seems that my method of doing author words is still wrong for some reasons...

So I'm doing it different right now. Sometimes I have "Author" actor talking to conversant "Player". But when that happens, for some reason NPC portrait hides. I don't want NPC that has been talking before to hide when author words appear. The only way I managed to make NPC not disappear is if "Player" talks to "Author" but that makes "Player" portrait get highlighted which I don't want.

 

Hi @Stickeyd - Can you allow the Author to use a third subtitle panel that doesn't have a portrait image? That way it won't take over the NPC's subtitle panel.

 

Thanks! It works. Also, how do I hide one of panels with sequence/script? I want one of the NPCs to disappear at one point.

 

There isn't a built-in way, but you can use the SendMessage() sequencer command. For example, to hide the subtitle panel named "Subtitle Panel 0", use this command:

Code (sequence):

1. SendMessage(Close,,Subtitle Panel 0)

Or you could write a custom sequencer command if you don't want to go by panel name.

 

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Hey, @TonyLi ! Have a question about scroll bar behavior of the dialogue vindow in Runic template

As you may see inn the attached video when there is too much text to fit in one screen the scroll handler twitches but part of the text, mainly answers, remains hidden and player should scroll to see them. Please, may you tell is there any way to make scroll window to show answers when they appear, without a neccesity to scroll each time to see them?

I was truying to use Autoscroll functionality but it seems either I made it wrong, or it didn't work for me properly. If this is the solution I need, maybe there is somewhere an example of this in the asset pack?