README.md

🎯 Practical Task: Creating an Animator Controller for a Character with Run, Jump, and Attack

Objective

Learn how to create an Animator Controller, configure a State Machine, and use all parameter types (Float, Bool, Trigger) to control character animations.

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Description

You need to create an animation controller for a simple character with three basic actions: Idle, Run, Jump, and Attack.

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Requirements

1. Animation Clips

Assume the following animation clips are already imported into your project:

• Idle — character standing still
• Run — character running
• Jump — character jumping
• Attack — character performing an attack

2. Animator Controller Parameters

Create the following parameters in your controller:

Parameter Name	Type	Purpose
Speed	Float	Movement speed (0 to 10)
IsGrounded	Bool	Whether the character is on the ground
Jump	Trigger	Initiates a jump
Attack	Trigger	Initiates an attack

3. Transition Logic (configure in the State Machine)

Basic transitions:

• Idle → Run: when Speed > 0.1
• Run → Idle: when Speed < 0.1

Jump (from any state):

• Any State → Jump: condition Jump (Trigger)
• Jump → Idle: condition IsGrounded == true

Attack (only from Idle and Run):

• Idle → Attack: condition Attack (Trigger)
• Run → Attack: condition Attack (Trigger)
• Attack → Idle: after the attack animation finishes (enable Has Exit Time)

4. Optional (extra challenge)

• If the character attacks while airborne (IsGrounded == false), the attack should not interrupt the jump (make the Attack transition only from Idle and Run, not from Jump).
• Add a slight delay or use Transition Duration to make the attack feel responsive.

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What you need to do in Unity

1. Create an Animator Controller named PlayerAnimator.
2. Add states Idle, Run, Jump, Attack (by dragging the clips into the Animator window).
3. Create the parameters (Speed, IsGrounded, Jump, Attack).
4. Create all transitions according to the logic above.
5. Write a simple C# script that:

   • Stores a reference to the Animator.

   • In Update(), reads keyboard input:

     • W, S, A, D or Horizontal / Vertical — changes Speed.
     • Spacebar — calls SetTrigger("Jump").
     • Left Ctrl or mouse — calls SetTrigger("Attack").

   • Example code:

void Update()
{
    float moveInput = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
    float speed = Mathf.Abs(moveInput) * 10f;
    animator.SetFloat("Speed", speed);
    
    if (Input.GetButtonDown("Jump"))
        animator.SetTrigger("Jump");
    
    if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.LeftControl))
        animator.SetTrigger("Attack");
        
    // For demonstration, hardcode IsGrounded = true (if no physics)
    animator.SetBool("IsGrounded", true);
}

6. Attach the Animator component to your character and assign the created controller.
7. Run the scene and verify:
   • Pressing W/S switches between Idle and Run.
   • Pressing Space plays Jump and returns to Idle.
   • Pressing Ctrl plays Attack from Idle or Run and returns back.

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Success Criteria

• ✅ All states switch correctly.
• ✅ Parameters affect transitions.
• ✅ The Jump and Attack triggers fire when called from the script (and do not repeat continuously).
• ✅ The Jump → Idle transition only happens after IsGrounded == true.

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Expected Result

An animated character that responds to keyboard input, switching animations smoothly without errors.

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