Input

Input inspector.

The input system retrieves control inputs from active InputProvider(s) and passes them to the vehicle through VehicleInputHandler. The system supports multiple input sources including keyboard/mouse, gamepad, mobile touch, and custom implementations.

Note: For detailed information about the shared Input System architecture and scene-level input, see NWH Common - Input System.

Input Architecture

InputProvider(s) → VehicleInputHandler → VehicleController
  • InputProvider: Reads raw input from hardware (keyboard, gamepad, touch, etc.)
  • VehicleInputHandler: Processes and distributes input to vehicle systems
  • VehicleInputStates: Holds current input values (throttle, steering, etc.)

Input Providers

NVP2 includes three vehicle-specific input providers. Add the appropriate one to your vehicle based on your target platform.

InputSystemVehicleInputProvider

For projects using Unity's Input System package (com.unity.inputsystem).

Features:

  • Action-based input with rebinding support
  • Automatic device switching (keyboard ↔ gamepad)
  • H-pattern shifter support (numeric keys 0-8, minus for reverse)
  • Optional mouse steering

Setup:

  1. Install the Input System package via Package Manager
  2. Add InputSystemVehicleInputProvider component to the vehicle
  3. (Optional) Modify bindings by double-clicking the VehicleInputActions asset

Default Bindings: | Action | Keyboard | Gamepad | |--------|----------|---------| | Throttle | W | Right Trigger | | Brake | S | Left Trigger | | Steering | A/D | Left Stick | | Handbrake | Space | A Button | | Shift Up | E | Right Bumper | | Shift Down | Q | Left Bumper | | Clutch | Left Ctrl | - |

InputManagerVehicleInputProvider

For projects using Unity's legacy Input Manager (Project Settings > Input).

Features:

  • Works out of the box with default Unity input axes
  • No additional packages required
  • Mouse steering option

Setup:

  1. Add InputManagerVehicleInputProvider component to the vehicle
  2. Ensure standard input axes are defined in Input Manager (Horizontal, Vertical, etc.)

MobileVehicleInputProvider

For mobile platforms (iOS, Android) with touch controls.

Features:

  • On-screen steering wheel
  • Touch buttons for throttle, brake, and all vehicle controls
  • Accelerometer/gyroscope steering
  • Multiple input method combinations

Steering Input Types:

  • SteeringWheel - Draggable on-screen wheel (requires SteeringWheel component)
  • Accelerometer - Device tilt controls steering
  • Button - Left/right steering buttons
  • Screen - Touch screen areas

Throttle/Brake Input Types:

  • Button - Separate throttle and brake buttons
  • Accelerometer - Device tilt forward/backward
  • Screen - Touch screen areas

Setup:

  1. Add MobileVehicleInputProvider to the vehicle
  2. Add MobileSceneInputProvider to the scene (for camera, pause, etc.)
  3. Create UI Canvas with MobileInputButton components
  4. Assign buttons to the provider fields
  5. Configure steeringInputType and verticalInputType

Example Configuration:

steeringInputType: SteeringWheel
verticalInputType: Button
tiltSensitivity: 1.5

Custom Input Provider

To create a custom input source (AI, replay system, network sync), extend VehicleInputProviderBase:

using NWH.VehiclePhysics2.Input;

public class AIVehicleInputProvider : VehicleInputProviderBase
{
    public override float Throttle() => CalculateAIThrottle();
    public override float Brakes() => CalculateAIBrakes();
    public override float Steering() => CalculateAISteering();

    // Override other methods as needed...
}

Available Methods to Override: | Method | Return Type | Description | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Throttle() | float [0-1] | Throttle pedal position | | Brakes() | float [0-1] | Brake pedal position | | Steering() | float [-1,1] | Steering direction | | Handbrake() | float [0-1] | Handbrake engagement | | Clutch() | float [0-1] | Clutch pedal position | | ShiftUp() | bool | Shift up button pressed | | ShiftDown() | bool | Shift down button pressed | | ShiftInto() | int | H-pattern gear (-1=R, 0=N, 1-8=gears) | | EngineStartStop() | bool | Engine toggle pressed | | Horn() | bool | Horn button held | | Boost() | bool | Boost button held | | CruiseControl() | bool | Cruise control toggle | | LeftBlinker() | bool | Left turn signal toggle | | RightBlinker() | bool | Right turn signal toggle | | HazardLights() | bool | Hazard lights toggle | | LowBeamLights() | bool | Headlights toggle | | HighBeamLights() | bool | High beam toggle | | ExtraLights() | bool | Fog/work lights toggle | | TrailerAttachDetach() | bool | Trailer coupling toggle | | FlipOver() | bool | Vehicle flip request |

VehicleInputHandler Properties

Input Swapping in Reverse

When swapInputInReverse is enabled (default: true), throttle and brake inputs swap when in reverse gear:

  • Throttle input = move backward in reverse
  • Brake input = slow down/stop when reversing

This makes reverse driving more intuitive by matching player expectations. The swapped values are available through InputSwappedThrottle and InputSwappedBrakes properties.

Disable for simulation games where direct throttle/brake control is preferred regardless of gear.

Steering Smoothing

The input handler includes built-in steering smoothing for keyboard input:

Property Type Description
steeringSmoothingTime float Time to reach full steering from zero (0-0.5s). Recommended: 0.15-0.25s for keyboard
steeringReturnTime float Time for steering to return to center when released (0-0.5s)
steeringDirectionChangeMultiplier float Speed multiplier when changing direction (1-5x). Higher = snappier transitions

Set both times to 0 to disable smoothing for direct input response.

Input Modification Callback

Use inputModifyCallback to modify input values after they're retrieved from providers but before vehicle systems process them:

vehicleController.input.inputModifyCallback.AddListener(() => {
    // Example: Reduce steering at high speeds
    float speed = vehicleController.Speed;
    if (speed > 20f) {
        vehicleController.input.Steering *= 0.7f;
    }
});

Manual Input (AI/Replay)

Bypass input providers and set input directly for AI controllers or replay systems:

// Disable automatic input
vehicleController.input.autoSetInput = false;

// Option 1: Set throttle/brake separately
vehicleController.input.Throttle = 1f;    // Full throttle
vehicleController.input.Brakes = 0f;      // No braking
vehicleController.input.Steering = 0.5f;  // Turn right

// Option 2: Use combined Vertical axis (positive = throttle, negative = brake)
vehicleController.input.Vertical = 1f;    // Full throttle
vehicleController.input.Vertical = -1f;   // Full brake

// Other inputs
vehicleController.input.Handbrake = 0f;
vehicleController.input.Clutch = 0f;