How to keep Unity rendering when focus is not set to game window

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Im using UDP to control the unity environment. Ive written a test app to send data into unity that consists of a dozen buttons, faders, and some XY pads. When i set OSX's focus to my test app (read: select the test app as the active application in the title bar), unity stops re-drawing the game. Essentially i either need to run the app on a second machine, which is a PITA when i am just knocking things around on my laptop (95% of my dev cycle) - or write automated code inside my test app which simulates human interaction with the app (which i have done already).

Does anyone have a solution for getting Unity to keep drawing, even when focus is not set to it within the OS?

Answer 1

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Answer by asafsitner · Oct 04, 2011 at 09:02 PM

Put Application.runInBackground = true; somewhere in your code and you should be good to go.

See the documentation: http://unity3d.com/support/documentation/ScriptReference/Application-runInBackground.html

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Bunny83 · Oct 04, 2011 at 09:09 PM 3

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You can also set this somewhere in the project settings but i also prefer setting it via script ;)

 Edit-->Project Settings-->Player-->Resolution and Presentation-->Run In Backgound

asafsitner · Oct 04, 2011 at 09:11 PM 0

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Right. I always forget about that one... which is why I always set it via script. :)

ruudvangaal · May 17, 2018 at 04:23 PM 0

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Actually, I can still get it (this is Unity 5.4.5f1). It happens when I have an OpenGL rendering window active as well as the Unity player. When activing my own OpenGL window (Unity still running in the background), after 5 seconds or so the Unity window stops rendering. When I use my keyboard, it stays paused. When I move my mouse, it becomes active again for 5 seconds. When I $$anonymous$$imize my own OpenGL window, Unity keeps rendering. Would be good to even continue rendering even when I'm active myself in another window.

Answer 2

Answer by KevinCook · Apr 14, 2015 at 05:27 PM

No need to add code. There's a tickbox in the player settings.

Go to Edit->Project Settings->Player, select the 'Standalone' tab, and 'Resolution & Presentation'. Now check the 'Run In Background' tickbox.

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Answer 3

Answer by dr.light · Oct 05, 2011 at 09:54 PM

thanks guys - you just made me a happy man today.

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Answer 4

Answer by Timurov · Feb 01, 2013 at 03:25 PM

many thanks guys! I've been looking that so many times :)

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Dave-Carlile · Feb 01, 2013 at 03:48 PM 0

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This should be added in the comment area by using the "add new comment" link, not in the area reserved for answers.

How to keep Unity rendering when focus is not set to game window

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