3D Animation In Unity

3D animation moves a character's body parts like legs walk, arms swing, head turns. Unlike 2D where you swap sprites, 3D animation uses a rigged model with bones. You need a 3D model that already has animations. Free sources:

• Unity Asset Store: Search "free character" (example: "Kyle" or "Ethan").
• Mixamo (Adobe): Download animated characters for free.
• Sketchfab: Some free animated models etc.

Importing the Model

• Download an FBX file with animations.
• Drag the FBX file into Project window.
• Click the model in Project window - Inspector - Select "Rig" tab.
• Change Animation Type to "Humanoid" (for standard characters).
• Click "Apply" button.

Viewing Available Animations

• Click the model in the Project window.
• Go to the "Animations" tab in Inspector.

You will see a list of animations inside the model:

• Idle
• Walk
• Run
• Jump

Adding Model to Scene

• Drag the model from the Project window into the Scene view
• The character appears in your game world, Select it.
• In Inspector, you will see an Animator component with an Animator Controller already assigned.

Creating an Animator Controller

If the model doesn't have a controller, create one:

• Right-click Project -> Create -> Animator Controller -> Name "CharacterController".
• Open Animator window (Window - Animator).
• Drag the controller onto your character's Animator component.

Adding Animations to Controller

• Open Animator window
• Find animations inside your model (click small arrow next to model in Project - opens sub-items).
• Drag animation clips (Idle, Walk, Run) into Animator window.

Creating Transitions

• Idle - Walk: Right-click Idle -> Make Transition -> Click Walk.
• Walk - Run: Right-click Walk -> Make Transition -> Click Run.
• Reverse transitions: Same steps backward (Run -> Walk, Walk -> Idle).

Adding Parameters

• Animator window -> Parameters tab -> "+" -> Float -> Name "Speed".

Setting Conditions on Transitions

• Idle - Walk transition: Click the arrow -> Inspector -> Condition: Speed > 0.1.
• Walk - Run transition: Condition is Speed > 3.
• Walk - Idle transition: Condition is Speed < 0.1.
• Run - Walk transition: Condition is Speed < 3.

Controlling Animation with Script

Attach this script to your character:

using UnityEngine;

public class CharacterMovement : MonoBehaviour
{
    private Animator animator;
    private float speed;
    
    void Start()
    {
        animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
    }
    
    void Update()
    {
        // Get movement input
        speed = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
        speed = Mathf.Abs(speed);
        
        // Send to animator
        animator.SetFloat("Speed", speed);
        
        // Move character
        Vector3 move = transform.forward * speed * 5f * Time.deltaTime;
        transform.Translate(move);
    }
}

Testing the Animation

Press Play - Use W/S or Up/Down arrow keys:

• No key - Idle.
• Press W a little - Walk.
• Hold Shift while pressing W - Run (if Speed > 3 threshold).