Parent Constraint component
A Parent Constraint moves and rotates a GameObjectThe fundamental object in Unity scenes, which can represent characters, props, scenery, cameras, waypoints, and more. A GameObject’s functionality is defined by the Components attached to it. More info
See in Glossary as if it is the child of another GameObject in the Hierarchy window. It has certain advantages that are impossible when you make one GameObject the parent of another:
- A Parent Constraint doesn’t affect scale.
- A Parent Constraint can link to multiple GameObjects.
- A GameObject doesn’t have to be a child of the GameObjects that the Parent Constraint links to.
- You can vary the effect of the Constraint by specifying a weight, and weights for each of its source GameObjects.
For example, to place a sword in the hand of a character, add a Parent Constraint component to the sword GameObject. In the Sources list of the Parent Constraint, link to the character’s hand. This way, the movement of the sword is constrained to the position and rotation of the hand.
Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Activate | After you move and rotate the constrained GameObject and its source GameObjects, click Activate to save this information. Activate saves the current offset from the source GameObjects in Rotation At Rest, Position At Rest, Position Offset, and Rotation Offset, then enables Is Active and Lock. |
| Zero | Sets the position and rotation of the constrained GameObject to the source GameObjects. Zero resets the Rotation At Rest, Position At Rest, Position Offset, and Rotation Offset fields then enables Is Active and Lock. |
| Is Active | Toggles whether to evaluate the Constraint. To also apply the Constraint, make sure Lock is enabled. |
| Weight | The strength of the Constraint. A weight of 1 causes the Constraint to move and rotate this GameObject at the same rate as its source GameObjects. A weight of 0 removes the effect of the Constraint completely. This weight affects all source GameObjects. Each GameObject in the Sources list also has a weight. |
Constraint Settings
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Lock | Toggle to let the Constraint move and rotate the GameObject. Disable this property to edit the position and rotation of this GameObject. You can also edit the Rotation At Rest, Position At Rest, Position Offset, and Rotation Offset properties. If Is Active is enabled, the Constraint updates the Rotation At Rest, Position At Rest, Position Offset, or Rotation Offset properties for you as you move and rotate the GameObject or its Source GameObjects. When you are satisfied with your changes, enable Lock to let the Constraint to control this GameObject. This property has no effect in Play mode. |
| Position At Rest | The X, Y, and Z values to use when Weight is 0 or when the corresponding Freeze Position Axes aren’t enabled. To edit these fields, disable Lock. |
| Rotation At Rest | The X, Y, and Z values to use when Weight is 0 or when the corresponding Freeze Rotation Axes aren’t enabled. To edit these fields, disable Lock. |
| Position Offset | The X, Y, and Z position offset from the Transform that the Constraint imposes. To edit these fields, disable Lock. |
| Rotation Offset | The X, Y, and Z rotation offset from the Transform that the Constraint imposes. To edit these fields, disable Lock. |
| Freeze Position Axes | Enable X, Y, or Z to allow the Constraint to control the corresponding position axes. Disable an axis to stop the Constraint from controlling it, which allows you to edit, animate, or script it. |
| Freeze Rotation Axes | Enable X, Y, or Z to allow the Constraint to control the corresponding rotation axes. Disable an axis to stop the Constraint from controlling it, which allows you to edit, animate, or script it. |
Sources
The list of GameObjects that constrain this GameObject. Unity evaluates source GameObjects in the order they appear in this list. This order affects how this Constraint moves and rotates the constrained GameObject. To get the result you want, drag items in this list. Each source has a weight from 0 to 1.