1.2. Animation parameters

Using the same scene as in the previous lesson, let's see how to easily sync animation over the network.

Key controls

• WASD or Left stick: Move character

• Hold Shift or Shoulder button left: Run

• Spacebar or Joypad button down: Jump

Topics covered

Animation | Bindings

In this scene

We haven't mentioned it before, but the character Prefab does a lot more than just syncing its position and rotation.

When you move around, you will notice that animation is also replicated across Clients. This is done via synced Animator parameters (and Network Commands, but we cover these in the next lesson).

The parameter MoveSpeed makes the player transition from the Idle state to Running.

Very much like in the example about position and rotation, just sending these across the network allows us to synchronize the animation state, making it look like network-instantiated Prefabs on other Clients (the other players) are performing the same actions.

How it's set up

Open the player Prefab located in the /Prefabs/Characters folder. Browse its Hierarchy until you find the child GameObject called Workman. You will notice it has an Animator component.

Select this GameObject and open the Animator window.

The Animator controller of the player.

As is usually the case, animation is controlled by a few Animator parameters of different types (int, bool, float).

Make sure to keep the GameObject with the Animator component selected, and open the coherence Configure window:

You will see that a group of animation parameters are being synced. It's that simple: just checking them will start sending the values across, once the game starts.

Did you notice that we are able to configure bindings even if this particular GameObject doesn't have a CoherenceSync component on it? This is done via the one attached to the root of the player Prefab. These parameters on child GameObjects are what we call deep bindings. Learn more in the Complex hierarchies lesson, or on this page.

There is only one piece missing: animation Triggers. We use one to trigger the transition to the Jump state.

Since Triggers are not a variable holding a value that changes over time, but rather an action that happens instantaneously, we will see how to sync them in the next lesson using Network Commands.