Movement vector
- Game Development course
- Beginner
- Lesson 47/83
- 4 min
Learn to turn axis inputs into a movement Vector3.
Combining Axes with Vector3
In character movement, horizontal and vertical axis inputs are combined into a Vector3 variable. The horizontal axis (X) controls left/right movement, while the vertical axis (Z) controls forward/backward movement in a 3D world. The Y axis is typically reserved for gravity and jumping.
float x = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal");
float z = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
Vector3 move = new Vector3(x, 0f, z);Applying the Movement Vector
The constructed movement vector is applied to the object using the previously learned transform.Translate method. Multiplying by a speed variable adjusts the movement rate. This allows the object to move smoothly according to the keys pressed by the player.
Vector3 move = new Vector3(x, 0f, z);
transform.Translate(move * speed * Time.deltaTime);Practice Calculate Movement Vector
Take Input.GetAxis("Horizontal") and Input.GetAxis("Vertical"), combine them with new Vector3(yatay, 0f, dikey). Print the result using Debug.Log(hareket);.
Starter code
using System;
public struct Vector3
{
public float x, y, z;
public Vector3(float x, float y, float z) { this.x = x; this.y = y; this.z = z; }
public override string ToString() => $"({x}, {y}, {z})";
}
public static class Input
{
public static float GetAxis(string axis) => axis == "Horizontal" ? 1.0f : 2.0f;
}
public static class Debug
{
public static void Log(object message) => Console.WriteLine(message);
}
public class Program
{
public static void Main()
{
// yatay ve dikey eksenleri oku, Vector3 olustur ve Debug.Log ile yazdir
}
}Sample solution
using System;
public struct Vector3
{
public float x, y, z;
public Vector3(float x, float y, float z) { this.x = x; this.y = y; this.z = z; }
public override string ToString() => $"({x}, {y}, {z})";
}
public static class Input
{
public static float GetAxis(string axis) => axis == "Horizontal" ? 1.0f : 2.0f;
}
public static class Debug
{
public static void Log(object message) => Console.WriteLine(message);
}
public class Program
{
public static void Main()
{
float yatay = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal");
float dikey = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
Vector3 hareket = new Vector3(yatay, 0f, dikey);
Debug.Log(hareket);
}
}Expected output
(1, 0, 2)
Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 In a 3D game, which Vector3 component is mapped to axis input for moving forward and backward on the ground?
- W component
- X component
- Y component
- Z component Correct answer
Explanation: In 3D space, X is horizontal (right-left), Y is vertical height (up-down), and Z is depth (forward-backward).
2 Create 3D Movement Vector
Vector3 hareket = new ____(yatay, 0f, dikey);Vector3 hareket = new Vector3(yatay, 0f, dikey);Explanation: To create a 3-dimensional vector with X, Y, and Z components, new Vector3(...) is used.
3 Vector Components Matching
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
Vector3.x |
Right and left horizontal axis input |
Vector3.y |
Height and jumping axis |
Vector3.z |
Forward and backward depth axis |
transform.Translate |
Translates object in vector direction |