Lecture 8: Anchor Points

Introduction

This lecture will show you how to create Anchor Points in Highrise Studio, which let characters sit or stand on objects like benches. These points are crucial for making your game world interactive.

What Are Anchor Points?

Anchor Points are specific spots on objects where characters can connect to perform actions like sitting or standing. Setting these up makes your scenes lively and engaging.

For our example, we'll use a "Wooden Bench" from the Highrise Assets Catalog found under the "Furniture" category.

Setting Up Anchor Points

Creating an Anchor Point

Follow these steps to add an Anchor Point to an object:

1. Select Your Object:

   • Pick an object, like a "Wooden Bench," from the Hierarchy.
   • Double-click it to view it in the Scene.

2. Add a New Anchor Point:

   • Right-click the object in the Hierarchy and choose Create Empty.
   • Name it "Anchor Point A" for clarity.
   • Adjust its position to where you want the character to connect.
   • Ensure it's properly aligned by adjusting the rotation as needed.

3. Configure the Anchor Point:

   • Add a Box Collider to define where the character can attach.
   • Add an Anchor (Script) to manage the attachment.
   • Optionally, add a Tap Handler (Script) for interactive purposes.

   

4. Duplicate for More Points:

   • Right-click "Anchor Point A" and choose Duplicate (or press Ctrl + D).
   • Rename it "Anchor Point B" and place it at another spot on the bench for multiple seating options.

   

5. Organize Your Anchor Points:

   • Make both Anchor Points children of the bench by dragging them into the bench's hierarchy.
   • Adjust the entire bench to position it within your scene.

Try viewing your setup in different scene views (2D, 3D, Isometric) to best position the Anchor Points.

Ensure the Anchor Points are at the correct height and distance from the bench for characters to attach properly.

YouTube Tutorial

Conclusion

Anchor Points are a key feature for adding realism and interactivity to your game environments. They allow characters to realistically use objects in your scenes.

Next Steps

Experiment with placing Anchor Points on different objects to see how they can change interactions in your game. Adjust their positions and test different setups to find what works best for your game's design.

• Lecture Nine: Camera Controls