How can I implement a shortcut like Ctrl+B for bold text functionality in my in-game text editor?

Implementing Ctrl+B Shortcut for Bold Text in a Unity In-Game Editor

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut like Ctrl+B in Unity requires handling user input and applying text formatting. Below is a step-by-step guide to implement this functionality.

Step 1: Setup the Input System

Ensure you’re using Unity’s Input System package for enhanced input features:

• Install the Input System from the Unity Package Manager.
• In your project settings, enable the new Input System.

Step 2: Detect Key Combinations

Using Unity’s Input System, you can detect when specific key combinations are pressed. Here’s a sample script to get started:

using UnityEngine;
using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
public class TextEditorShortcut : MonoBehaviour {
    private void Update() {
        if (Keyboard.current == null) return;
        if (Keyboard.current.ctrlKey.isPressed && Keyboard.current.bKey.wasPressedThisFrame) {
            ApplyBoldText();
        }
    }
    void ApplyBoldText() {
        // Your code to toggle bold formatting
        Debug.Log("Bold formatting applied");
    }
}

Step 3: Implement Text Formatting

For bold text functionality, you typically modify the text style or apply markup. If using a rich text system, you might use tags, as in:

void ApplyBoldTextToUI(string inputText) {
    string boldText = "" + inputText + "";
    // Update the display text with boldText
}

Step 4: Integrate with UI Components

Link this functionality to a UI text component. If utilizing Unity UI Text, TMP_Text, or similar, use the component for rendering:

public TextMeshProUGUI textComponent;
void ApplyBoldText() {
    string selectedText = GetSelectedText();
    textComponent.text = "" + selectedText + "";
}

Additional Considerations

• Input Focus: Ensure your input focus is on a text field or appropriate UI element when capturing key combinations.
• User Feedback: Provide visual feedback (such as changing button states) to indicate when text is bolded.

Joyst1ck

Gaming Writer & HTML5 Developer

Answering gaming questions—from Roblox and Minecraft to the latest indie hits. I write developer‑focused HTML5 articles and share practical tips on game design, monetisation, and scripting.

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