Question by carnivoris · Jan 20, 2015 at 07:15 PM · nullreferenceexception maincamera

Camera.main NullReferenceException on Instantiated Character

So, for some reason, my main camera (which is tagged as MainCamera) works fine if the game is run in the editor, but throws a nullreferenceexception when I build and run the game standalone. I can't find anything except "make sure the camera has the Main Camera tag" when looking for solutions. Are there any caveats to using MainCamera on a child of an instantiated object?

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smoggach · Jan 20, 2015 at 07:26 PM 0

I would assume there are. What is the $$anonymous$$ainCamera before you instantiate your object? If it's nothing then there's your problem. If it is something then the problem is probably where you switch it.

carnivoris · Jan 20, 2015 at 07:50 PM 0

I have another camera that is enabled just to show the start menu/an overview of the level. I disable that camera and enable the main. It works fine in the editor, but it doesn't work in the standalone player.

 standbyCamera.SetActive(false);
 myPlayerGO.transform.FindChild("$$anonymous$$ain Camera").gameObject.SetActive(true);

I set the standbyCamera earlier in the script, but it works because I actually see the scene/menu and am able to interact. As soon as I click start, though, it seems like the $$anonymous$$ain Camera object doesn't get activated.

Am I trying to activate the main camera incorrectly? It seems correct, according to the Unity docs I've read.

smoggach · Jan 20, 2015 at 07:55 PM 0

$$anonymous$$y first guess would be that FindChild is returning null. Switching main cameras is going to be a hassle no matter how you approach it. I would recommend having the camera prepared beforehand ins$$anonymous$$d of in the prefab.

carnivoris · Jan 20, 2015 at 07:58 PM 0

It has to be in the prefab as I'm instantiating the character on the network.

EDIT: It does seem to work if I leave the main camera on the player character enabled. However, now my mouse look script doesn't want to work. That's a different issue, though. Thanks!

smoggach · Jan 20, 2015 at 08:04 PM 0

Something has to instantiate the prefab. Whatever that is should be controlling the cameras. If you really really really want the camera inside a prefab then I'd recommend putting a script on your prefab that has a reference to the camera. Then you can get that script using GetComponent ins$$anonymous$$d of wasting time searching.

To switch the main camera: 1) Set the camera's tag to $$anonymous$$ainCamera in the prefab. 1) Load your prefab 2) Destroy or re-tag the current $$anonymous$$ainCamera.

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