Ignore Collision Using Layer and Tag Concept in Unity

 

In Unity we often face issues regarding collision. If we want some game object to collide with another game object and avoid collision with the third game object at the same time then in this situation we make use of Layer and Tag concepts.

This blog teaches you how to have a collision between object1 and object2 but avoid the collision with object3 at the same time.

There are mainly 2 concepts for this in Unity:

1. Layer
2. Tag

The above two concepts are very useful to ignore collision with the third object in the same scene. So, Let us start with the first concept that is Layer.

Step 1 Using Layer

1.1 Create Project

Create one unity project and put 3 sprites into Assets >> Sprites folder. 

1.2 Create Sprite

After creating a Sprite folder put any 3 sprites which you want to as an object. Here as an example I’ve put 3 sprites Ball, Green Pole, and Red Pole.

My aim is that the ball should collide with Red Pole but not with Green Pole. 

1.3 Collision Detection

Now, save this Scene as a Game scene using ctrl+s (cmd+s). Here, take two more sprites one for setting the background of your scene named BG and second for standing base of all objects named Road. Now for collision detection, we must give collider and rigid body to all the sprites.

For that put your sprites into Unity Hierarchy panel and select Ball, Green Pole and Red Pole and give them a rigid body and appropriate colliders like box or circle using Add component in Inspector panel. Describes all the above stuff. 

1.4 Make Script

Now, Let’s begin with coding and make one script for the movement of the ball: - left, right and jump using right, left and up arrow keys. Also add that script in ball using add component. 

The above script is used for the movement of the ball. Let’s press the right arrow key and make movement of the ball it will collide with green pole and will not move ahead. Let’s jump on green pole using up arrow key it will collide with red pole.

Our aim is that ball should collide with red pole but avoid collision with green pole. For this purpose we use Layer Concept.

1.5 Make Layers

Make 3 layers named No Collision, Collision and Ball Layer using Layer button describe.

Now give different layers to different objects like:

Ball >> Ball Layer

Green Pole >> No Collision

Red Pole >> Collision - Using layer button in Inspector Panel.

1.6 Project Setting

Now go to Edit >> Project setting >> Physics 2D (if project is 2D else go to Physics) It displays layer hierarchy as shown in.

1.7 Physics Setting

Now, Uncheck layers which you don’t want to collide. Here we uncheck Ball Layer and No Collision Layer and then save the scene. Now, Ball will not collide with green pole but will collide with the red pole. Check it. 

Step 2 Using Tag

2.1 Make Tag

Make one tag named NoCollide using tab button same as you added layer. Also assign green pole to NoCollide tag.

2.2 Change in Script

Open your ball movement script and make one method/function named OnCollisionEnter2D. Now, ball will not collide with green pole but will collide with red pole. Try it out!

Find whole project with different scenes:

1. Using Layer Concept
2. Using Tag Concept from here.

I hope you find this blog very helpful while working with Collision Using Layer and Tag Concept. Let me know if you have any question regarding Collision in Unity 3D please comment here. I will reply you ASAP

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