convert a string to texture?

Question

Hi,

Is there a way to choose from a list of textures in an object using a string to choose it?

I have 10 textures that will be loaded into a script in the editor, and I want to choose one at any one time to be the current texture.

I try but get the error: Can not convert 'String' to 'UnityEngine.Texture'

I have put my script below. I read in the Forum that I could put the textures in an array instead, but I have no Idea how to load textures into arrays. I think that would be more complicated than what I am trying here.

 //this is a variable to receive a string from elsewhere
 
 
 static var digit : String = "t0";
 
 //will load a choice of 10 textures in editor
 
 
 var t1 : Texture;
 var t2 : Texture;
 var t3 : Texture;
 var t4 : Texture;
 var t5 : Texture;
 var t6 : Texture;
 var t7 : Texture;
 var t8 : Texture;
 var t9 : Texture;
 var t0 : Texture;
 
 // currentTexure will be used to load that textue onto object
 
 
 private var currentTexture : Texture;
 
 
 
 function DigitDisplay () {
     
     currentTexture = digit;
 
 gameObject.renderer.material.mainTexture = currentTexture;
 }

Answer 1

Answer by kilian277 · Apr 20, 2013 at 09:30 AM

You can use an array of textures just like this (C# !)

 public Texture[] textures;

Javascript

 public textures : Texture[];

Then you can use

 currentexture = textures[digit];

to assign the texture (digit needs to be an INTEGER).

In the editor you can assign the textures to the texture array.

Hope it helps

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DFLY · Apr 20, 2013 at 12:57 PM 0

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Thanks for the help, but I really want to know how to use the string to select the texture. I can manually name the texture I want in the script and that works. So how do I convert a string to a texture name?

fafase · Apr 20, 2013 at 01:02 PM 0

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A texture name is a string. But the index of an array has to be an integer. That is why I offered to use a dictionary which seems to be exactly what you need.

kilian277 · Apr 20, 2013 at 02:13 PM 0

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What you also can do is check what the digit variable is with a case or if condition and then based on that assign the correct texture.

 if(digit=="t1")
 {
      currentTexture = t1;
 }

or

 switch(digit)
 {
    case : "f1"
      currentTexture = t1;
      break;
    case : "f2"
     etc...
 }

fafase · Apr 20, 2013 at 05:02 PM 0

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You really do not want to make it efficient...ok I am preaching my own parish (wonder if that has a meaning in english...) but Dictionary are using hashtables that are way faster than any switch case even more when they are based on string which requires a call for a string compare method.

If you want to use a switch, at least use an enumeration which is based on integer.

kilian277 · Apr 20, 2013 at 05:14 PM 0

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If he just used yours or my solution then all of this isn't necessary also i just gave an example on how to do it , the op can adjust it to his needs

Answer 2

Answer by fafase · Apr 20, 2013 at 12:36 PM

You could create a Dictionary.

 import System.Collections.Generic;

 var myDictionary = new Dictionary.<string,Texture2D>();
 
 myDictionary.Add(t1.name,t1);
 myDictionary.Add(t2.name,t2);
 
 //and so on
 
 function DigitDisplay (string str) {
    return myDictionary[str];
 }

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convert a string to texture?

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