Off Screen Indicator

Overview

Off Screen Indicator displays an arrow or icon that points toward a target when that target is off screen. It supports UI and 3D world targets, distance readouts, and dynamic fade based on distance.

The system uses an indicator preset containing a visual object (OffScreenIndicatorObject). This object handles icon display, arrow visibility, distance text, rotation, and alpha fading.

Off Screen Indicator is ideal for:

Showing mission objectives outside the camera view
Tracking UI or world objects
Marking items in large levels

The indicator updates every frame and fully handles screen size changes, camera switching, and optional UI boundaries.

Usage

Add Off Screen Indicator component to a GameObject

Assign:

Target Transform (object to track)
Target Camera (or leave empty to use Camera.main)

Optionally assign a Rect Boundary to restrict indicator movement to a UI area

The indicator will automatically:

Detect if target is on or off screen
Fade in or out based on distance
Rotate the arrow to point toward the target
Clamp to borders when off screen
Follow the target when on screen if desired

Customize Preset

Locate the Indicator Preset prefab
Open the prefab and customize it as needed

Create New Presets

You can create different Indicator presets and use them on different objects. To create a new preset:

Locate the Indicator Preset prefab
Duplicate the preaab (this is the fastest way to customize)
Open the new prefab and customize it to your liking

Properties

Indicator

Name	Type	Description
`indicatorPreset`	`GameObject`	Prefab containing OffScreenIndicatorObject
`indicatorIcon`	`Sprite`	Optional icon for the indicator

Settings

Name	Type	Description
`trackUIElement`	`bool`	Tracks a UI RectTransform instead of world position
`hideWhenOnScreen`	`bool`	Hides indicator when the target is on screen
`checkDistance`	`float`	Distance where fading begins or hides indicator
`borderOffset`	`float`	Padding from screen borders
`fadeDuration`	`float`	Duration for alpha transitions
`transitionEase`	`float`	Smooth damp time for indicator movement

Distance Settings

Name	Type	Description
`distanceUnit`	`DistanceUnit`	None, Metric, or Imperial
`distanceFormat`	`string`	Format for distance display
`distanceSource`	`Transform`	Object used for distance calculation
`enableDistanceFade`	`bool`	Fade indicator based on distance
`fadeStartDistance`	`float`	Distance where fade begins
`fadeEndDistance`	`float`	Distance where fade reaches zero

References

Name	Type	Description
`targetTransform`	`Transform`	Target to track
`targetCamera`	`Camera`	Camera used to convert world to screen position
`targetCanvas`	`Canvas`	Canvas that holds the indicator
`rectBoundary`	`RectTransform`	Optional boundary region for limiting movement

Public Methods

Name	Parameters	Description
`SetTarget(newTarget)`	`Transform`	Assigns a new target to track
`SetDistanceUnit(unit)`	`DistanceUnit`	Changes unit system
`SetRectBoundary(boundary)`	`RectTransform`	Uses a UI rectangle instead of full screen
`Disable()`	None	Fades out and disables indicator

Code Example

OffScreenIndicatorExample.cs

using UnityEngine;
using Evo.UI;

public class OffScreenIndicatorExample : MonoBehaviour
{
    public OffScreenIndicator indicator;
    public Transform objective;

    void Start()
    {
        // Assign target
        indicator.SetTarget(objective);

        // Use metric units
        indicator.SetDistanceUnit(OffScreenIndicator.DistanceUnit.Metric);

        // Optional: limit indicator to a UI panel
        // indicator.SetRectBoundary(someRectTransform);
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Disable after player reaches objective
        if (Vector3.Distance(indicator.distanceSource.position, objective.position) < 2f)
        {
            indicator.Disable();
        }
    }
}

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