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Help with getting started with UI builder

Discussion in 'UI Toolkit' started by DevCase3DUnity, Nov 5, 2019.

  1. DevCase3DUnity

    DevCase3DUnity

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    Hello, I cannot seem to find help with getting started with UIBuilder.
    I see that UI Builder Runtime package will be available with 2019.3. release, but does this mean it will be available with an official release?

    I have created new project in 2019.3.0a3 and I have imported UIBuilder package, but I see 2 errors:

    Library\PackageCache\com.unity.ui.builder@0.8.3-preview\Editor\Builder\BuilderSelection.cs(41,25): error CS0246: The type or namespace name 'StylePropertyReader' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

    Library\PackageCache\com.unity.ui.builder@0.8.3-preview\Editor\Utilities\VisualTreeAssetExtensions\VisualTreeAssetLinkedCloneTree.cs(15,25): error CS0246: The type or namespace name 'StylePropertyReader' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

    What am I missing?
    Also I cannot open UI Builder from Window > UI > UIBuilder, since I don't see that option.
     
    DevCase3DUnity, Nov 5, 2019
    #1

  2. trojanfoe_

    trojanfoe_

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    a3? It's up to b9 now. Try that.
     
    trojanfoe_, Nov 5, 2019
    #2

  3. DevCase3DUnity

    DevCase3DUnity

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    @trojanfoe123 thx mate! That solved the problem. I opened project in 2019.3.0b9
     
    DevCase3DUnity, Nov 5, 2019
    #3
    uDamian and trojanfoe_ like this.

  4. DevCase3DUnity

    DevCase3DUnity

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    Further questions:

    I have set up some buttons in UIBuilder, but I don't see them in Game/Play mode:
    upload_2019-11-6_13-43-44.png

    Further, in a Scene Hierarchy, on the Canvas game object, I don't have a Panel Renderer, nor can I add it as a component.
    upload_2019-11-6_13-48-4.png

    So my question here, is this the part that is coming with 2019.3. official release?

    Is there anyway to see the UI in the Game mode? If the answer is no, do we know the estimate when will 2019.3. release be? :D
     
    DevCase3DUnity, Nov 6, 2019
    #4

  5. uDamian

    uDamian

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    To clarify, the Runtime (Panel Renderer) component for UIElements is part of a package which is not yet public. The UI Builder is does not, itself, provide runtime support for UIElements.

    As for when UIElements will have full runtime support, we don't have an exact date yet.
     
    uDamian, Nov 6, 2019
    #5
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  6. DenisGLabrecque

    DenisGLabrecque

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    @uDamian Any guess as to the date this enablement package will ship? I read somewhere mid-November? Does that mean it has been postponed but will be out soon?
     
    DenisGLabrecque, Nov 25, 2019
    #6

  7. uDamian

    uDamian

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    More info on this will be shared soon. I have no specifics to share at this time.
     
    uDamian, Nov 25, 2019
    #7
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  8. TPockrandt

    TPockrandt

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    Will there be an way to move Elements in the UI like in a Uinity UI Canvas?
    For example: I can just click the button and scale it as I wish?
     
    TPockrandt, Nov 27, 2019
    #8

  9. uDamian

    uDamian

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    You can do this in the UI Builder when authoring the UI. You just need to set you element to absolute position. All this is shown in the Unite Copenhagen 2019 UI Builder demo talk:
     
    uDamian, Nov 27, 2019
    #9
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  10. Deiton2

    Deiton2

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    Is it possible to install runtime by adding "com.unity.ui.runtime": "0.0.3-preview" to the manifest.json? Should it work correctly? I'm getting mixed results, because after doing so the UI shows up in the game preview, but it's not interactive.
     
    Deiton2, Nov 28, 2019
    #10

  11. uDamian

    uDamian

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    We released the _contents_ of that package as part of the Unite demo project because that package might not exist in the final form of our UIElements Runtime support implementation. See:
    https://forum.unity.com/threads/uielements-roadmap-update.784388

    So, we didn't advertise, nor do we support, direct use of that package. It's likely that Runtime support will just be part of the new UIElements package. Until then, please use the runtime implementation in the Unite demo repo (which you can of course copy and paste in your own project).
     
    uDamian, Nov 28, 2019
    #11

  12. TPockrandt

    TPockrandt

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    I have to make a presentation about UIElements and UIBuilder is there a side, where I can find all "TODOs" for it?
     
    TPockrandt, Nov 29, 2019
    #12

  13. IkigaiMonkey

    IkigaiMonkey

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    I'm fiddling with the example project from Unite, but can't find any Panel Renderer ("com.unity.ui.runtime": "0.0.3-preview" seems to be added), am I missing something?

    Besides that, is the package in a too early stage to start using it in new projects? I'm starting a new project that will likely last a few months and I'm keen to know if the support on the mid term will be there or it'll likely change a lot over time and using it right now it's totally discouraged (that'd be sad tho, using the old UI knowing this one will be there soon!)
     
    IkigaiMonkey, Nov 29, 2019
    #13

  14. uDamian

    uDamian

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    We don't have a public TODO list for the UI Builder. Since priorities can change, feature-to-feature, we don't want to commit to specific features. That said, high-level, here are some improvements we're working on short term:
    - Zoom/Pan in the Viewport
    - Units support for length styles (ie: "px", "%")
    - Keywords support (ie: "auto", "initial")
    - Multi-USS support so you can assign one or more existing USS files to your UXML
    - many fixes to UX, bugs, and stability/performance

    As for ETA for those features, I cannot say at this time. That said, we will be release those features as they are ready in frequent UI Builder package drops. We've already released a new version this week that improved StyleSheet and Selector management.
     
    uDamian, Nov 29, 2019
    #14

  15. uDamian

    uDamian

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    Please read the README of the Unite Demo project repo:
    https://github.com/Unity-Technologies/UIElementsUniteCPH2019RuntimeDemo/blob/master/README.md

    Specifically, the Runtime section of the README states that Runtime support is not in the form of a package in this Demo project. Instead, it's bundled inside the Assets folder. So, you should really not have any mention of "com.unity.ui.runtime" in your manifest (having it there will actually break your project).

    After that, load the 
    Assets/MainDemo.unity
    scene and make sure the GameObjects under the UI empty object have each a Panel Renderer component.

    The UIElements Runtime support implementation released as part of the Unite demo project is officially a preview and only meant for evaluation purposes. And while we are happy to get any feedback on the current implementation, we are not guaranteeing support for any issues you may have if you end up using it in production. As such, I would not recommend starting a project with this demo runtime bundle if it's time sensitive and has a low risk tolerance.

    But I also won't stop you. :) All I can say is that this big change is a transition, not a rewrite. We are actually trying hard to make the transition as smooth as possible.
     
    uDamian, Nov 29, 2019
    #15

  16. IkigaiMonkey

    IkigaiMonkey

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    Awesome thanks for the answer, can't wait to have it there. I've been using it for editor tools and it feels just a perfect step forward.
     
    IkigaiMonkey, Dec 1, 2019
    #16

  17. anmonta

    anmonta

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    Not trying to be that guy... but its been more than 3 months since that demo. Truly would be great to see something that we could implement into project. @uDamian It was an awesome mind blowing demo for one of the most labor intensive ignored and underperforming parts of unity. I hope we can see some updates.
     
    anmonta, Jan 13, 2020
    #17

  18. GilliganGames

    GilliganGames

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    Ya, I too have to ask, when will we be able to start implementing this @uDamian ? Any updates you can give? As far as I can tell it works as intended, or at least well enough to produce with... I know you guys have a tough job of slowly rolling out new updates as to not confuse anyone but as a Unity semi-novice who is very familiar with web development and loves CSS styling, I need this new UI feature asap, even as is.

    The main question I think everyone wants to know, is the runtime support implementation going to be available on the next update, soonish, or are you guys thinking further out? Is there any release date or time frame window you would be willing to throw out there? No one's going to put your feet to fire if you're off, but this is such a must-have and wanted feature, that I have to say is brilliantly put together, it's such a tease not to be publically supported for production use yet!!
    Keep up the great work!
     
    GilliganGames, Jan 23, 2020
    #18

  19. uDamian

    uDamian

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    As mentioned in our roadmap update:
    https://forum.unity.com/threads/uielements-roadmap-update.784388
    we're moving UIElements to a package. This package will include the runtime support (runtime will not be a separate package). As we're also trying to make the transition for users as smooth as possible (ideally seemless), there is still some work ahead and so we cannot share exact release dates of this new UIElements package (and therefore Runtime support). That said, we are striving for to be done in time for the 2020.1 release.

    Also, just want to note that the UI Builder is a separate package, independent from the future UIElements package or the deprecated Runtime package. UI Builder will keep getting regular package updates prior (and after) the UIElements package release, and those updated version should continue to work with the Builder/Runtime demo project shared above.
     
    uDamian, Jan 23, 2020
    #19
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  20. Benjamin_Lehmann

    Benjamin_Lehmann

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    Just want to throw in my enthusiasm and eager anticipation for these packages being shipped. I loved your demo of this feature back at Unite 2019 and really hope that we'll be able to work with this workflow soon as part of standard development.

    @uDamian are you able to offer any further updates? Many thanks and keep up the great work!
     
    Benjamin_Lehmann, May 29, 2020
    #20
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  21. uDamian

    uDamian

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    uDamian, Jul 10, 2020
    #21