Lua Scripting Tutorial

Overview

This tutorial introduces the basics of creating scripts in Core, using the Lua Programming Language. You do not need to know how to program to start this tutorial. If you are interested in a basic overview of programming concepts, our Scripting Introduction is a great place to start.

In the first part of a tutorial, you will create and run your first script, following the programming tradition of making a "Hello, World!" script to introduce yourself to a new language.

In the second part, you will learn how to take an existing template in Core and use scripts to change it, by importing a bedroom scene into your project, and making a light switch that illuminates it.

About Lua and Core

Core uses the Lua programming language, which has the advantage of being beginner-friendly but suitable for advanced programming projects.

• The Event Log window in Core shows output from scripts, including errors. You can enable it by clicking Window in the top menu bar, and selecting Event Log.
• The Core API page lists code created for you to use in Core.
• The API Examples page has sample code using the Core API with explanations that you can use to better understand how the objects and functions are used.
• The Programming in Lua, a free online version of the official "Programming in Lua" book by Roberto Ierusalimschy.
• The Scripting Help Section on the Core Creator Forums.

Part One: Creating Your First Script

Create a New Project

In the Core Launcher, use the Create menu to create a new empty project. You can name this project Lua Tutorial, or whatever you like.

Create the Script

Open up the editor and click the Create Script button in the toolbar at the top left of the editor.

Name it TutorialScript for now.

Open the Script for Editing

Your new script will appear in the Project Content window, in the My Scripts section. Double click TutorialScript to open the Script Editor

Writing the Script

Type the text below into your new empty script:

UI.PrintToScreen("Hello World!")

Next, press Ctrl + S to save.

Running the Script

Now we have created a simple script. However, we need to actually add it to our game for it to do the code we wrote.

1. To add your script to the game, drag it from the My Scripts area of the Project Content tab to the Hierarchy window, usually on the right side of the editor.

   

   If any of these windows are missing, open them again from the Window menu in the top menu bar.

2. Press Play or = at the top of the editor, and see your message appear on screen in the top left corner.

The function UI.PrintToScreen(string) writes whatever is between () in "" on the screen of your game. This is one of many of the built-in Core API functions.

Review: Creating and Running a Script

1. Create new script with the Create Script .
2. Open the script by clicking its name in the My Scripts section of Project.
3. Add code to the script and save.
4. Drag the script from Project Content to the Hierarchy to make it run when the game starts.
5. Press Play or = to run the script.

About Functions

In programming, a function is a named section of a script that performs a procedure.

You could think of it in terms of sandwich making. For a task like slicing an ingredient, you would need to use procedures like:

• Locate cutting board
• Grab knife
• Hold object to cut properly
• Begin slicing

For each item you want to slice for the sandwich, you would have to type out that whole list each time. That would mean repeating all of these steps for the tomatoes, cheese, pickles, and other sandwich ingredients. If you made a function instead, you could just type SliceObject(tomato) to do all those steps.

In order to be able to perform our task exactly when and how we want to, we're going to change TutorialScript to use a function to say "Hello, World!"

Create the Init Function

To put UI.PrintToScreen line is within a function, make a new function called Init.

1. Open up your TutorialScript.
2. Replace your existing code with this:

-- Our first function!
local function Init()
    UI.PrintToScreen("Hello from a function!")
end

Call the Function

If you save and run this code, nothing will happen.

The code you added defined the function, telling the computer that there is a process called Init, and UI.PrintToScreen("Hello from a function") is what it should do when it is time to do this process.

To make Init run, you need to call it. You can do this multiple times, or in many different points in a script.

To call a function, use its name and () on a separate line:

-- Calling the function
Init()

Your entire script should now look like this:

-- Our first function!
local function Init()
    UI.PrintToScreen("Hello from a function!")
end

-- Calling the function
Init()

Now if you save and run this, you'll see your message appear on the screen. Excellent.

Review: Creating and Using a Function

1. Define the function, including the code that it should run.
2. Call the function to make that code run.
3. Use comments to explain what the function should do.

You can now delete the TutorialScript from your project Hierarchy. The contents of the script will be saved, but it will no longer run when the game preview starts.

In the next part of this tutorial, you will put your knowledge to the test.

Part Two: Lightbulb

Start on Part Two: Lightbulb now to learn more about moving and changing objects in with Lua.