Question: Same object using different sprites

hello,

I have an XML file that acts as an item database, it allows me to create items using the following;
ItemID
ItemName
ItemDescription
ItemSprite

I then have a sprite manager in which I attach all sprites and whatever description I have assigned to itemsprite in my XML file will load that sprite for that given item. However in an attempt to create a bit more diversity I would like my the same item to have 2 sprites which are randomly assigned. For example item: bread has sprite RedBread and BlueBread. The item characteristics are still the exact same just using a different sprite.

What would be the best way to achieve this outcome?

 

In your factory where you build your object out and determine the sprite to use from the xml. If there's more than 1 available sprite, randomly select one of the available options using UnityEngine.Random class.

 

So currently my XML looks a little like this;

<itemID>01</itemID>
<itemName>Sword</itemName>
<itemSprite>Sword_01</itemSprite>

<itemID>02</itemID>
<itemName>Shield</itemName>
<itemSprite>Shield_01</itemSprite>

<itemID>03</itemID>
<itemName>Cake</itemName>
<itemSprite>Cake_01</itemSprite>

On my sprite editor I use a public array which holds my sprites;

Sword_01
Sword_02
Shield_01
Shield_02
Cake_01
Cake_02

Does this mean that I would need to add in another itemsprite line into the XML and subsequent script to use the random function?

 

The format of you xml is up to you.

XML supports multiple nodes of the same name, so you could just say:

Code (csharp):

1. <item>
2.     <itemID>01</itemID>
3.     <itemName>Sword</itemName>
4.     <itemSprite>Sword_01</itemSprite>
5.     <itemSprite>Sword_02</itemSprite>
6. </item>
7. <item>
8.     <itemID>02</itemID>
9.     <itemName>Shield</itemName>
10.     <itemSprite>Shield_01</itemSprite>
11. </item>

In the same respect, you could come up with a different format that's more descriptive:

Code (csharp):

1.  
2. <item>
3.     <itemID>01</itemID>
4.     <itemName>Sword</itemName>
5.     <sprites>
6.         <itemSprite>Sword_01</itemSprite>
7.         <itemSprite>Sword_02</itemSprite>
8.     </sprites>
9. </item>
10. <item>
11.     <itemID>02</itemID>
12.     <itemName>Shield</itemName>
13.     <sprites>
14.         <itemSprite>Shield_01</itemSprite>
15.     </sprites>
16. </item>
17.  

That's up to you though... you have to parse this, do it however you prefer!

 

That is brilliant, I can’t thank you enough for your time!