Mastering Mouse Input in Unity: A Comprehensive Guide

Legacy Input Module: A Foundation for Success

The legacy input module is a fundamental component of Unity’s input handling. When you create a new project, it’s enabled by default, allowing you to access mouse position and button states with ease.

To get started, simply call Input.mousePosition to retrieve the current mouse position as a Vector3. Note that the z-component is always 0, making it easy to work with 2D coordinates.

Vector3 mousePosition = Input.mousePosition;

New Input System: A Modern Approach

The new input system, also known as “the new input system,” offers a more modern and flexible approach to input handling. To use it, you’ll need to install the Input System package via Unity’s package manager. Once installed, you can access the new input system by enabling it in your project settings.

Reading input directly from devices is possible with both the legacy input module and the new input system. However, the new input system provides a more streamlined syntax and improved debugging tools.

Mouse.current.position.ReadValue();

Using Input Actions: A Powerful Abstraction

Input actions offer a powerful abstraction layer between your code and the underlying input devices. By defining input actions, you can decouple your code from specific devices and focus on the logic of your game or application.

The new input system provides a robust input action system, allowing you to bind multiple devices to a single action. This enables you to:

• Create platform-agnostic input logic
• Support multiple input devices simultaneously
• Easily switch between different input devices

Creating an Input Action Asset

To use input actions, you’ll need to create an input action asset. This asset contains a set of action maps, which define the relationships between input devices and actions.

To create an input action asset, simply:

1. Go to the Project window
2. Right-click
3. Select Create > Input Actions

Deciding on the Right Approach

When it comes to choosing between the legacy input module and the new input system, the decision ultimately depends on your project’s specific needs.

If you’re working on a:

• Complex project with multiple input devices, the new input system’s input action system may be the better choice.
• Simpler project, the legacy input module may be sufficient.

Consider the following factors when making your decision:

• Project complexity
• Number of input devices
• Platform requirements