How to use the command u3d (with examples)

The u3d command is a set of tools that allows users to interact with Unity, a popular game development engine. It provides various functionalities for managing Unity projects and installations. This article will cover five different use cases of the u3d command with examples and explanations.

Use case 1: Open the project in the current directory using the correct Unity version

Code:

u3d

Motivation: This use case comes in handy when working with multiple Unity projects that have different Unity versions. Instead of manually opening the correct version of Unity, the u3d command simplifies the process by automatically detecting and using the appropriate Unity version for the project in the current directory.

Explanation: The command u3d without any arguments will automatically open the Unity project present in the current directory using the Unity version defined in the project settings.

Example output: Unity starts and loads the project in the current directory using the specified Unity version.

Use case 2: List installed versions of Unity

Code:

u3d list

Motivation: It can be useful to have a list of installed Unity versions, especially when managing multiple projects or trying to identify the Unity versions to be used for different projects. The u3d list command simplifies this process by listing all installed Unity versions.

Explanation: The list argument is passed to the u3d command to retrieve a list of all Unity versions that are currently installed on the system.

Example output:

Installed Unity Versions:
- 2019.2.5f1
- 2020.1.2f1
- 2021.1.0f1

Use case 3: List available versions of Unity that can be downloaded

Code:

u3d available

Motivation: It is important to know which Unity versions are available for download, especially when considering upgrading or downgrading a Unity project. The u3d available command provides a list of all available Unity versions that can be downloaded.

Explanation: By using the available argument with the u3d command, the user can retrieve a list of all Unity versions that are available for download.

Example output:

Available Unity Versions:
- 2019.3.0f1
- 2020.2.0f1
- 2021.2.0f1 (latest)

Use case 4: Download and install latest stable Unity version

Code:

u3d install latest_stable

Motivation: To ensure the stability and compatibility of a Unity project, it is often recommended to use the latest stable version. The u3d install latest_stable command simplifies the process of downloading and installing the most recent stable version of Unity.

Explanation: The install argument with the parameter latest_stable is passed to the u3d command, instructing it to download and install the latest stable version of Unity.

Example output: Unity version 2021.3.5f1 is downloaded and installed successfully.

Use case 5: Download and install Unity version and editor packages

Code:

u3d install 2021.2.0f1 -p Unity,iOS,Android

Motivation: Sometimes, it is necessary to install specific Unity versions along with different platform-specific editor packages to support development for multiple platforms. The u3d install command, combined with the -p flag, simplifies the process of installing a specific Unity version and the desired editor packages.

Explanation: In this example, the install argument is used with the Unity version 2021.2.0f1. The -p flag is then followed by a comma-separated list of desired editor packages (in this case, Unity, iOS, and Android) to be installed along with the specified Unity version.

Example output: Unity version 2021.2.0f1 is downloaded and installed along with the Unity, iOS, and Android editor packages.

Conclusion:

The u3d command provides a convenient set of tools for interacting with Unity projects and installations. Through the various use cases covered in this article, users can effectively manage Unity versions, download and install different versions, and specify additional editor packages for specific platforms. Whether it is opening a project with the correct Unity version or installing the latest stable release, the u3d command streamlines the Unity development workflow.