Beginner Question on Inputs

I'm new to Unity, coming from GML (Game Maker),

I am creating physics motion as such:

void Update () {
if(touchingPlatform Input.GetButtonDown("Vertical")){
rigidbody.AddForce(verticalVelocity, ForceMode.VelocityChange);
}
}

This works great, and when I hit W the player moves "North"
Two questions
1. How would I code in the opposite (or negative) direction, project/inputs only provides a vertical and "negative", I don't see 4 directions in a given plane. Is there some way to simply apply the reverse?
2. This moves the player a declared "verticalVelocity" each time the button is pressed, how could I make it apply a constant amount while the button is held down.

I'm sure I'll look back at this post and be amazed at how little I knew now : ' /

I thought I would post this to get started on the forum.

 

Welcome!

1. You'll see that there's "Vertical" and "Horizontal" in the input settings, and each has either a positive and negative button or a joystick axis (or both). When you use Input.GetAxis("blah") it will return you a value between 1.0 and -1.0 depending on what's being pressed for that axis, rather than just a boolean. Between those two things you can get all 4 directions.

2. Actually, that add's a force to the player's Rigidbody component. If you want the velocity to be constant then modify its "velocity" attribute instead.

Also, it's easier to read your code (and help you) if you use code tags.

 

You could use

Code (csharp):

1.  Input.GetKey(KeyCode.S);

for a negative Vertical input.

Or you could use

Code (csharp):

1.  if(Input.GetAxis("Vertical")<0);