The Animator component
- Game Development course
- Intermediate
- Lesson 19/83
- 4 min
Learn how the Animator component works with an Animator Controller.
Working with an Animator Controller
The Animator component manages animations on a GameObject. The Animator Controller determines which animations play and under which conditions they change. Assigning a controller to the Animator component's Controller field establishes this connection.
Animator animator;
void Awake()
{
animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
}Verifying the Controller Connection
The runtimeAnimatorController property provides the Animator Controller assigned to an Animator component. You can check this property to determine whether a controller has been assigned.
if (animator.runtimeAnimatorController != null)
{
Debug.Log("Controller connected");
}Practice Check the Controller Connection
Access the Animator component and check whether an Animator Controller has been assigned. If a controller exists, print Controller found to the console.
Starter code
using UnityEngine;
public class ControllerCheck : MonoBehaviour
{
private Animator animator;
void Start()
{
animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
}
}Sample solution
using UnityEngine;
public class ControllerCheck : MonoBehaviour
{
private Animator animator;
void Start()
{
animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
if (animator.runtimeAnimatorController != null)
{
Debug.Log("Controller bulundu");
}
}
}Expected output
Controller bulundu
Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 What is the main purpose of an Animator Controller?
- Managing animations and transitions between them Correct answer
- Calculating scene lighting
- Managing physics collisions
- Compressing audio files
Explanation: An Animator Controller manages animation states and transitions.
2 Check the Controller Property
if (animator.____ != null)
{
Debug.Log("Controller hazır");
}if (animator.runtimeAnimatorController != null)
{
Debug.Log("Controller hazır");
}Explanation: runtimeAnimatorController is used to check the controller asset assigned to an Animator component.
3 Match the Animator Structure
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
Animator Controller |
Asset used to manage animations |
Animator Component |
Component that runs animations |
runtimeAnimatorController |
Access to assigned controller asset |
State Machine |
System organizing animation states |