Creating Characters for Unity

Hello! I am new to Unity, and I am creating a prototype of a video game idea I have. My game is a 2D platformer. I am a graphic designer, which means I want to use my own artwork. However, I do not understand how to make a playable character for Unity. What file format does it need to be? What size do I make it? How do I lay it out? How do I import it? How do I make the character interact with its surroundings?

I have found many tutorials, but none are answering my main questions about file type and how to lay out the character. Any help is appreciated! Thank you

 

There is a list of supported formats and how to import them on this page https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/ImportingTextures.html. I use psd format so I can update the texture in Photoshop and preserve all the layers.

Size is a quality verses style verses platform thing that needs to be worked out.

How to layout the character? Depends on the animation. Frame animation is the more common way, but is tedious and takes up more texture space requiring you to draw out each frame one at a time. Unity has a new 2D animation tool that works similar to 3D animation with bones, not sure how it works I've yet to play around with it. I make the parts individually that I want to move like head, legs, arms, body and then I lay it out in Unity using separate GameObjects and SpriteRenderers for each part.

Interaction depends on gameplay mechanics. Lots of tutorials on how to do it for different game types.

If you're just starting out, take your time and learn. Good games take time to make.

 

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.