Troglodyte In Underbelly: Work Bench UI

Author: Shemaiah Nelson

Posted on: 1/22/24

In the development of "Troglodyte In Underbelly," a significant challenge arose while designing the Work Bench UI and implementing its functionality. The primary issue revolved around achieving the proper spacing for the player animation to be clearly visible while simultaneously displaying the available crafting items and their corresponding images. Balancing these visual elements to ensure they were well-spaced and aesthetically pleasing posed a considerable obstacle. The complexity increased further with the need to maintain clarity and usability, ensuring players could easily discern the available crafting options and interact with the UI seamlessly. Addressing this challenge became paramount as it directly impacted the player's ability to engage with the crafting system effectively, potentially leading to confusion and frustration if not resolved appropriately.

First initial design

Additionally, to prevent the UI elements from overlaying onto the player, a mask was implemented to confine the UI within a designated area. This mask ensured that the UI remained contained within its intended space, preventing any visual clutter or interference with the player's view. 

Second Design

Furthermore, to provide feedback and enhance the crafting experience, a progress bar was introduced to indicate the crafting process's status. As the player initiates crafting, the progress bar gradually fills, accompanied by text that dynamically changes to simulate animation, displaying "Crafting," "Crafting..," and finally "Crafting..." This visual feedback not only informs the player of the ongoing crafting process but also adds a level of immersion and engagement to the gameplay experience. 

Progress Bar

Overall, these solutions collectively address the initial challenge of balancing visual elements while maintaining functionality and usability within the Work Bench UI. By implementing Unity's Mask Vertical Layout Group, utilizing masks to prevent UI overlay, and incorporating dynamic feedback elements such as the progress bar and animated text, the Work Bench UI now offers a streamlined and immersive crafting experience for players in "Troglodyte In Underbelly."