How to Position UI Behind a GameObject in Unity

Discover effective methods to position your UI behind a GameObject in Unity, including Canvas render modes and practical implementation tips.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/72577742/ asked by the user '222 2' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/19168947/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/72578218/ provided by the user 'Kalib Crone' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7422267/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Position UI Behind a GameObject in Unity

Are you looking for a way to place your UI behind a GameObject in Unity? It’s a common scenario in game development where you seek to blend user interface elements with three-dimensional objects for better visual integration. Whether it's to create a heads-up display (HUD) or to enhance immersive gameplay, achieving the right positioning can be a bit tricky. Let's dive into the solution that Unity offers for this challenge.

Understanding Unity's UI System

Before we jump into the solution, it’s important to understand how Unity manages UI rendering. There are two primary Canvas Render Modes that can be employed to help position UI elements effectively behind 3D GameObjects:

World Space

Screen Space - Camera

1. World Space

When you set a Canvas to World Space, your UI elements become part of the 3D environment. This means they can be positioned alongside other GameObjects in a three-dimensional space. Here are the key points to consider with this mode:

UI as 3D Objects: The UI behaves like a physical object in the game world. You can manipulate its position, rotation, and scale just like any other 3D GameObject.

Depth and Perspective: This mode allows the UI to receive depth from the camera’s perspective, making it possible to place it behind other GameObjects.

2. Screen Space - Camera

The Screen Space - Camera mode also allows you to position the UI elements in relation to the GameObject by referencing a specific camera. Here’s how it can help:

UI Layering: This mode helps in layering the UI over specific GameObjects while maintaining the appearance of being behind them when viewed through the camera.

Customizable Rendering: You can adjust the sorting layers and order in layers to further control the visual placement of UI elements in relation to GameObjects.

Implementation Steps to Position UI Behind GameObjects

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to correctly set your UI behind a GameObject using these two methods:

Step 1: Create Your Canvas

Right-click in the Hierarchy window and select UI > Canvas.

Set the Render Mode to either World Space or Screen Space - Camera, depending on the approach you want to use.

Step 2: Position the Canvas

For World Space, in the RectTransform settings, adjust the position of the Canvas to match your GameObject’s location. Use Transform tools to move and scale as needed.

For Screen Space - Camera, ensure the Canvas is linked to the correct camera and adjust its position within the Canvas settings.

Step 3: Adjust Sorting Order

Set the sorting layer and order of the Canvas or specific UI elements within the Inspector to ensure they display behind the desired GameObject.

Step 4: Test the Setup

Playtest your scene to verify that the UI elements are rendering correctly behind your GameObject. Make adjustments if necessary.

Conclusion

By utilizing either the World Space or Screen Space - Camera canvas modes in Unity, you can effectively position your UI behind GameObjects, creating visually stunning and immersive user experiences. Remember, the choice of method should align with your project’s overall aesthetic and functional needs. If you're looking for more tailored solutions, feel free to provide specific examples from your project for further assistance.

Happy developing!

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